Peace preview: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem by Thomas Tomkins

Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was a Welsh-born composer of the late Tudor and early Stuart period. In addition to being one of the prominent members of the English Madrigal School, he was a prolific composer of both full and verse anthems, writing more than almost any other English composer of the 17th century. The word Jerusalem means “city of peace,” and Tomkins’ anthem is a simple yet elegant setting of Psalm 122:6. “O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.“