King of glory, King of peace

The tune, "Gwalchmai" was composed by John David Jones. He was born in 1827, Bryngrugog, Montgomeryshire, Wales, and died on September 17, 1870, Rhuthyn, Wales, and was buried in the Baptist cemetery there. His parents were so poor they could only give him a year’s schooling. Therefore he spent his boyhood learning all he could about music. Before he was 20 years old, he published a few psalm tunes under the title Y Perganiedydd (The Sweet Singer). From this effort he earned sufficient funds to attend college in London. He is also remembered as a singing teacher at Rhuthyn.

George Herbert was the fifth son of Richard Herbert and Magdalen, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport, was born at his father's seat, Montgomery Castle, April 3, 1593. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1611. On March 15, 1615, he became Major Fellow of the College, M.A. the same year, and in 1619 Orator for the University. Favoured by James I., intimate with Lord Bacon, Bishop Andrewes, and other men of influence, and encouraged in other ways, his hopes of Court preferment were somewhat bright until they were dispelled by the deaths of the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hamilton, and then of King James himself. Retiring into Kent, he formed the resolution of taking Holy Orders. He was appointed by the Bishop of Lincoln to the Prebend of Lcighton Ecclesia and to the living of Leighton Bromswold, Hunts, July 15, 1626. He remained until 1629, when an attack of ague obliged him to remove to his brother's, house at Woodford, Essex. Not improving in health at Woodford, he removed to Dantsey, in Wiltshire, and then as Rector to Bemerton, to which he was inducted, April 26, 1630, where he died Feb. 1632.

To me, Herbert seems to have had a very personal and intimate relationship with God, as his unusual texts speak with passion and personal closeness.