Hymn Notes: ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

The hymn text is ancient, based on a poem written by Francis of Assisi in 1225. It was inspired by Psalm 148 which calls all creation to worship God. The psalm is longer but includes these verses:

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds….

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted….

The tune captures the emotion of both the psalm and Francis’ poem. The words move quickly, for the composer is eager to include as many of the heaven’s and earth’s inhabitants and forces as possible in a few short lines. But then the tune slows down marvelously on the alleluias, emphasizing them by repetition and by making each syllable much longer than the other words of the song. The notes soar high on the alleluias to mark the climax of the hymn.

Hymn Notes: HERE I AM TO WORSHIP

An ad hoc group of our own singers calls us to worship today, singing HERE I AM TO WORSHIP. The praise song was written in 1999 by British composer and worship leader Tim Hughes and has been well received by evangelical churches worldwide; it is published in the Baptist Hymnal (2008) and other major hymnals. It is reported that the song came from Hughes’ personal reflection on Phil 2 which details Jesus’ willingness to become a man and to die a humiliating death, and his subsequent exaltation whereby all creation will one day bow and confess that Jesus is Lord.

The song has a contemplative or meditative feel to it, one that is not to be rushed or sung mechanically or lightheartedly. The chorus emphasizes simply that, in light of Jesus’s deep love and sacrifice, the singer has now come to worship Christ in humble adoration. The song has a short bridge section in which the phrase “I will never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross” is thrice repeated, to emphasize how our worship and thankfulness should be complete and genuine.

Hymn Notes: I'll Be a Sunbeam

We know very little about 19^th century lyricist Nellie Talbot or her intention in writing this hymn. It has, however, become a favorite children’s song, perhaps because of its simple text, references to home, school, and play, and the sunbeam imagery that easily captures children’s imaginations. In 1900, the song was put to music by prestigious composer Edwin O. Excell who compiled and edited over 90 hymnals and songbooks, and produced the most common arrangement of AMAZING GRACE. The tune Excell composed for the song is melodic and easily singable.

Although the text is amenable to children, the message preaches well to adults. The sunbeam recalls light of the world imagery used by Jesus, and likewise fits Paul’s call to be stars shining in a dark and crooked generation. The text defines what it means to be a sunbeam: be loving and kind, pleasant and happy. The song dovetails nicely with our recent sermons on the call to holiness:

I will ask Jesus to help me

To keep my heart from sin,

Ever reflecting his goodness,

And always shine for him.

We sing this song today knowing that sunbeams bring a lot of joy and happiness.

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.