291

How Long, O Lord, How Long

Scripture References

Further Reflections on Scripture References

Many Scripture references point us to the concern for justice as a strong element in the kingdom of God. Similarly, the call to work for justice and to overcome injustice is a common cry.  For many of the following songs, see such passages as Deuteronomy 27:6, Psalm 9:9, 10:18,  64:1-6, 72:1-4, 119:134, 137:1-9, Proverbs 21:3, Isaiah 1:17,  Micah 6:6-8, Amos 5:15, Acts 10:34-38,  Colossians 4:1 and James 1:27.

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Any song or testimony about the cries that comes from our nations and cities must be met with confessional statements about the mission of the church as listed here.

 

Our World Belongs to God, paragraphs 41-43 are explicit and pointed about the mission of the church: “In a world estranged from God, where happiness and peace are offered in many names and millions face confusing choices, we witness—with respect for followers of other ways—to the only one in whose name salvation is found: Jesus Christ.”

 

Later, Our World Belongs to God, paragraphs 52-54 point to the task of the church in seeking public justice and functioning as a peacemaker: “We call on our governments to work for peace and to restore just relationships. We deplore the spread of weapons in our world and on our streets with the risks they bring and the horrors they threaten…”

 

The Belhar Confession, section 3 calls the church to be a peacemaker, and section 4 calls the church “to bring about justice and true peace.”

 

Our Song of Hope, stanza 10 calls the church to seek “the welfare of the people” and to work “against inhuman oppression of humanity.”

291

How Long, O Lord, How Long

Introductory/Framing Text

Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. (b. Clarion, Pennsylvania April 2, 1923; d. Gettysburg, Pensylvania, March 13, 2007) was educated at Susquehanna University (A.B., 1945), Lutheran Theological Seminary (B.D., 1946), Union Theological Seminary (S.T.M., 1967) and Southern California School of Theology at Claremont (Th. D., 1971). From 1947-1959, Rev. Stuempfle, served as pastor of parishes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1959, he joined the staff of the Board of Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America. Throughout his 27-year career as Professor of Preaching at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Rev. Stuempfle also served as the school’s Dean (1971-1976) and as President (1976-1989).

In 2004, Dr. Stuempfle was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. His work is found in an ever-growing number of hymnals. His collections of hymn texts include The Word Goes Forth (GIA 1993);Redeeming the Time (GIA 1997); Awake Our Hearts To Praise (GIA 2000); and Wondrous Love Has Called Us (GIA 2006). Dr. Stuempfle died on March 13, 2007 after a long battle with ALS.
— GIA Publications, Inc. (http://www.giamusic.com)

Additional Prayers

Optional prayer
After stanza 2: we pray for the hungry and those who minister among them [specify ministries]
After stanza 3: we pray for the homeless and those who minister among them[specify ministries]
After stanza 4: we pray for the poor and those who minister among them [specify ministries]
After stanza 5: we pray for victims of prejudice and those who minister among them [specify ministries]
After stanza 6: we pray for victims of warfare and those who minister among them [specify ministries]
— Lift Up Your Hearts (http://www.liftupyourheartshymnal.org)
291

How Long, O Lord, How Long

Tune Information

Name
TRENTHAM
Key
F Major
Meter
6.6.8.6

Recordings

291

How Long, O Lord, How Long

Author Information

Herman G. Stuempfle Jr. (b. Clarion, Pennsylvania April 2, 1923; d. Gettysburg, Pensylvania, March 13, 2007) was educated at Susquehanna University (A.B., 1945), Lutheran Theological Seminary (B.D., 1946), Union Theological Seminary (S.T.M., 1967) and Southern California School of Theology at Claremont (Th. D., 1971). From 1947-1959, Rev. Stuempfle, served as pastor of parishes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. In 1959, he joined the staff of the Board of Missions of the United Lutheran Church in America. Throughout his 27-year career as Professor of Preaching at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Rev. Stuempfle also served as the school’s Dean (1971-1976) and as President (1976-1989).

In 2004, Dr. Stuempfle was named a Fellow of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. His work is found in an ever-growing number of hymnals. GIA has published five collections of his hymn texts: The Word Goes Forth (1993); Redeeming the Time (1997); Awake Our Hearts To Praise (2000); Wondrous Love Has Called Us (2006); and The Song of Faith Unsilenced (2013), published posthumously. Dr. Stuempfle died on March 13, 2007 after a long battle with ALS. 
— GIA Publications, Inc. (http://www.giamusic.com)

Composer Information

After receiving his musical training at the Royal Academy of Music, Robert Jackson (b, Oldham, Lancashire, England, 1842; d. Oldham, 1914) worked briefly as organist at St. Mark's Church, Grosvenor Square, in London. But he spent most of his life as organist at St. Peter's Church in Oldham (1868-1914), where his father had previously been organist for forty-eight years. A composer of hymn tunes, Jackson was also the conductor of the Oldham Music Society and Werneth Vocal Society.
— Bert Polman
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