Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#189

189. Hallelujah, Praise the LORD

Text Information

• First Line: Hallelujah, praise the LORD
• Title: Hallelujah, Praise the LORD
• Versifier: Marie J. Post (1974, alt.)
• Meter: 77 77 4
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 146
  ;
  Psalm 150
• Topic: Doxologies; Songs for Children: Bible Songs; Alleluias; Creation; Music
• Copyright: Text © 1974, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: ORIENTIS PARTIBUS
• Meter: 77 77 4
• Key: F Major
• Source: French, 13th century

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Ps. 150:2
st. 2 = Ps. 150:1, 6
st. 3 = Ps. 150:3-5
st. 4 = Ps. 150:3-5

Marie J. Post (PHH 5) wrote this versification of Psalm 150 in 1972; it was first published in the 1974 Psalter Hymnal Supplement. The "Hallelujah" coda was added for the 1987 Psalter Hymnal. Psalm 150 was Post's favorite psalm; she said the lyrics came very easily to her for this versification. See PHH 150 for textual commentary on Psalm 150.

Liturgical Use:
A marvelous processional–alternate the singing of stanzas with instrumental-only versions of the tune. See also PHH 150.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

ORIENTIS PARTIBUS derives from a French medieval folk-dance song, Orientis partibus Adventavit asinus, originally associated with the Feast of the Ass, a church festival in some parts of France held each January 14 commemorating the flight of Joseph and Mary with Jesus into Egypt. The tune became well known in a duple-rhythm arrangement by Richard Redhead (PHH 255) published in his Church Hymn Tunes (1853). The triple rhythms–a good choice in keeping with the tune's folk-dance origins–in the Psalter Hymnal date from the arrangement by Ralph Vaughan Williams (PHH 316) for the 1906 English Hymnal. Sing the tune with a strong lilting rhythm, use other instruments (handbells, tambourines, recorders, flutes, Orff instruments), and let this music be a joyful expression of the text itself. This tune is popular and very useful with children!

--Psalter Hymnal handbook