When Lucien Deiss wrote “Keep in Mind” in 1965, it became an instant classic. Half a century later, it’s still a classic. Its simplicity and its scripturally-based text continue to speak to believers, reinforcing their knowledge of the Bible. It’s a good choice for this Sunday, reminding us of Jesus’ promises that we too will be raised to new life.

Fr. Deiss was born in Paris and entered the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (the Spiritan Fathers) in 1942 in the midst of World War II—not a happy time for the French people. In his account of how he became a composer, he said, “I used to do ministry in the little church of Bon Pasteur, close to the seminary. I wanted the people of the parish to sing a lot more, so I formed a choir for Gregorian chant. But it didn’t work … which turned out to be a blessing for me. I realized that the people knew almost nothing of the Bible. So I decided to try using music to help them memorize the more important texts.”

He may have been best known in the U.S. for his two volumes of Biblical Hymns and Psalms (WLP), which contained such long-lived favorites as “All the Earth,” “Grant To Us, O Lord,” and “Keep In Mind” (based on 2 Timothy 2:8-12). But he was also widely known in Europe as a scholar of sacred scripture and patristics. Pope Paul VI selected him to coordinate the lectionary psalter following the Second Vatican Council; Deiss was a tireless advocate of the Council’s liturgical reforms. He was also a missionary priest who worked for many years with the poor in countries that included Africa, Haiti and Taiwan. Deiss had a happy heart, a generous spirit and a long life, dying on October 9, 2007 at the age of 86.