Psonic Psalms by The Mercy Beats

The Mercy Beats wowed audiences, congregations, clergy, and radio stations alike in 1964 with the release of their sophomore album, continuing the series reimagining public domain hymns based on all 150 Psalms in modern music styles.

A few notes of interest: this is the only album in the series that does not feature the hymns in order of the Psalms. Becuse Psalm 13 is such a down beat of a passage, the hymn based on it ended up being shifted to the last cut of side A for stylistic reasons. The band and the producers did not want to start off the album with a down beat track.

This album also is when the band starts experimenting with other sounds emerging in music during the 1960s, which sows the seeds of their upcoming psychedelic and prog albums later in the decade. Word has it Mike Pinder was an early fan, having influence on The Moody Blues.

Tracklist

1.	Jehovah Who Should Come (Psalm 14) (John Relly, unkn)	2:55

2.	Blessed Are the Pure in Heart (Psalm 15, John Keble 1819)	2:38

3.	To Thee, O Lord, I Fly (Psalm 16, George William Martin, 1862)	3:33

4.	The Shadow of Your Wings (Psalm 17, J.B. Herbert, 1852-1927)	2:50

5.	The Lord Descended From Above (Psalm 18, Thomas Sternhold, c. 1847)	3:35

6.	The Day is Past and Over (Psalm 13) (St. Anatolius, of Constantinople, 800)	3:52

7.	Jesus Shall Reign Where'er the Sun (Psalm 19, Isaac Watts, 1719)	3:44

8.	Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart (Psalm 20, Edward H. Plumptre, 1865)	3:03

9.	Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens Adore Him (Psalm 21, Richard Mant, 1796)	3:11

10.	All Ye That Fear Jehovah's Name (Psalm 22, Frederick Marc Antoine Venua, c. 1810)	3:16

11.	The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Psalm 23, H. W. Baker, 1868)	3:08

12.	The Earth and the Fulness with Which It Is Stored (Psalm 24, Welsh melody, c. 1600)	3:33

Credits

released June 19, 2025

The Mercy Beats, produced and arranged by Geoff Holland. Executive producer George Luther Martin. All thanks to God the Father and His Son, an the Holy Ghost.

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