We All, Like Sheep (Isaiah 53)—Paul Demer
by Paul Demer
Over the last few years I've been recording psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, often alongside the contours of the liturgical calendar. Last year I recorded "We All, Like Sheep (Isaiah 53)," the latest single from my upcoming album "Psalms," in the wee hours between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. This is a time when many Christians observe a vigil - keeping watch with Jesus through his sorrowful hours of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. Like the disciples, we do so weakly and with heavy eyes. We might hold a scripture passage in mind. Or pray the psalms. We certainly ponder Jesus's impending sacrifice. In some traditions we gaze upon a tabernacle of reserved sacrament and consider his body which was broken for the love of the world. It is a quiet and heavy and beautiful time.
Some hymns like "Ah Holy Jesus," which I recorded on Holy Saturday of 2020 (which, in the midst of lockdowns and illness, was an especially silent and somber Saturday), are quite intense and are best suited for Holy Week. "We All, Like Sheep" is similarly intense lyrically - the text comes from Isaiah 53 (the suffering servant) - though I intend the music to be disarmingly tender. I hope that this juxtaposition points to the mystery of God's loving heart revealed on the cross. In the spirit of lenten simplicity (and with a fan-boy's nod to Sufjan Stevens) I recorded the whole song with one unassuming mic - an old Shure SM57 that my dad gave me. By now you might be wondering why I'm including a song from Isaiah 53 on an album called "Psalms." Though not a psalm, this intense, visceral poem of Isaiah's suffering servant feels like it dwells in the same emotional and spiritual space. Just as the speaker of the psalms gives us permission to express our humanity in all its wonder, elation, agony, and redemption, Jesus's passionate life and death clearly show us what a Spirit-filled, God-directed human life looks like. Indeed, many have suggested that Jesus is the true speaker in all of the Psalms, not David. Just as on my album "Hymns" (which includes several Psalms) the categories blur a bit around the edges. This is intentional. The categories of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are distinct but also all the fruit of life lived in Jesus Messiah and the scriptures he prays and fulfills. I hope this song is helpful this Holy Week. Peace, Paul We all, like sheep, have fallen astray Each of us turns to our own way And our great God has laid on him Our heavy yoke and all of our sin He was afflicted, naked, and bound Still through the storm, he makes no sound And our great Lord, like sheep and lamb Led to the slaughter at God's command They laid him down with wealthy and cruel Though he’d no weapon, broke no rule It was the will of God to give His life for all that all life might live Therefore I count him among the blessed Because he poured himself to death O, sinless Savior, we believe Dwell in our midst and intercede
“We All, Like Sheep” will appear on Paul Demer’s upcoming record, Psalms, releasing May 16th.
Paul Demer is a singer-songwriter, record producer, outreach musician, and worship leader. Paul connects with diverse audiences in living rooms, bars, churches, nursing homes, and hospitals in his hometown of Dallas, TX and across the country. When not making music, Paul and his wife, Trisha, enjoy reading, spending time outside, and good conversation.