Thursday 12 July 2018

Hymn Notes: ONE DAY


ONE DAY*
Today’s featured hymn is a familiar one, but not often sung: ONE DAY. This lengthy hymn is comprised of five verses, each integral to the hymn. It tells the story of Christ in sequence, beginning with the virgin birth, crucifixion, burial, the resurrection, and the second coming. We call hymns that tell the whole story of Christ “Salvation History hymns.” While most hymns can well be sung with an omitted second or third verse, omission of any single verse of Salvation History hymns is awkward, although the final verse detailing the second coming can often stand alone.
This Salvation History hymn has an added feature, a chorus that reiterates what Christ did to provide salvation:
Living he loved me, dying he saved me, buried he carried my sins far away.
Rising he justified freely forever; one day he’s coming—O glorious day!
The 9/8 time signature facilitates a lively melody with a celebratory feel. The song ends with a climactic exclamation of Christ’s certain return, O glorious day.

*Hymn Notes is a regular short article for the Sunday bulletin. If you need filler for your bulletin or newsletter, you may freely copy, with due attribution.

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