Date: August 21, 2025
During the height of the pandemic, when fear and isolation weighed heavily, it was Senior Vice President Jacqui Ballou who first introduced me to the original UK version of The Blessing. Drawn from Numbers 6:24-27, its words became more than music—they were a prayer of comfort and peace in uncertain times. For people confined to their homes or separated from loved ones, the song arrived as a true gift from God, reminding us that His presence was still near. Even now, those same words carry healing and hope.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. The Blessing spread across the world, translated into 257 languages, sung in 154 nations, and inspiring over 500 videos. You can find the global version here. The bilingual version from VTS is a moving example of this global moment—you can listen to it here. Each new recording reflected the same longing for God’s peace, woven into the voices of diverse cultures. In the darkest season, this simple yet profound song united countless people across borders and time zones.
Taken together, these global versions became more than a pandemic response—they became a glimpse of heaven. The sight of so many languages declaring God’s blessing anticipates the day when every tribe and nation will worship together before God’s throne. In that sense, the pandemic’s gift was that even through hardship, The Blessing revealed not just comfort for the moment, but also the unity and hope of eternity.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and the President of The General Theological Seminary