The Benediction

Victory Worship's “The Benediction” sets the priestly blessing from Numbers to a congregational melody. The opening is nearly the original text, “May the Lord bless and keep you / Make his face to shine upon you,” followed by two additions, “May you see his face and know his grace” and “May his peace abound to you.” It works as a closing prayer, spoken over the people and not by them.

The chorus changes direction, from blessing the listener to naming the one who blesses: “Your name reigning over us / Your name victorious / By your name you've called us yours.” That shift from third person to second is the heart of the arrangement, since the congregation turns and addresses God after hearing the blessing. The second verse alters one phrase on purpose, replacing the earlier line with “With the cross ever before you,” and asks, “May you seek his ways for all your days.”

Numbers 6:24-26 is the source, where the Lord tells Aaron how to bless Israel. The song keeps the face-shining and peace sections of that text, and the “cross ever before you” line brings the old blessing into a Christian setting.