Lutheran Service Book ‎#682

682. God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets' Sons

1 God of the prophets, bless the prophet's sons;
Elijah's mantle o'er Elisha cast.
Each age its solemn task may claim but once;
Make each one nobler, stronger than the last.

2 Anoint them prophets, men who are intent
To be Your witnesses in word and deed,
Their hearts aflame, their lips make eloquent,
Their eyes awake to ev'ry human need.

3 Anoint them priests, strong intercessors they,
For pardon and for love and hope and peace,
That, through their pleading, guilty sinners may
Find Jesus' mercy and from sin release.

4 Anoint them kings, yes, kingly kings, O Lord.
Anoint them with the Spirit of Your Son.
Theirs not a jeweled crown, a blood-stained sword;
Theirs, by sweet love, for Christ a kingdom won.

5 Make them apostles, heralds of Your cross;
Forth let them go to tell the world of grace.
Inspired by You, may they count all but loss
And stand at last with joy before Your face.

Text Information

• First Line: God of the prophets, bless the prophets' sons
• Title: God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets' Sons
• Author: Denis Wortman, 1835-1922 (alt. )
• Meter: 10 10 10 10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Scripture:
  2 Kings 2:1-15
  ;
  John 20:21-23
  ;
  John 17:18
  ;
  1 Timothy 4:13-16
• Topic: Ordination, Installation

Tune Information

• Name: OLD 124TH, abbr.
• Meter: 10 10 10 10
• Key: F Major
• Source: Trente quatre Pseaumes de David, Geneva, 1551, ed. Louis Bourgeois; The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941 (Setting)