Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#273

273. Almighty Father, Covenant God

Text Information

• First Line: Almighty Father, covenant God
• Title: Almighty Father, Covenant God
• Author: Marie J. Post (1975)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Matthew 28:19-20
  ;
  Matthew 28:20
• Topic: Doxologies; Biblical Names & Places: Abraham; Baptism; Blood of Christ; Covenant; Forgiveness; Redemption; Trinity
• Copyright: Text © 1987, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: WYATT
• Composer: Dale Grotenhuis (1984)
• Meter: LM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: © Dale Grotenhuis

Text Information:

Marie J. Post (PHH 5) wrote "Almighty Father, Covenant God" in 1975 for the baptism of her grandson Wyatt L. Worst. Both text and tune were first published in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal

The text includes both Old Testament covenant language, such as "the seed of Abraham" (st. 4), and New Testament images for baptism, such as being grafted into Christ and being adopted as children of God (st. 2). Stanza 5 is a trinitarian doxology (see PHH 246 for a brief explanation of trinitarian structure).

Liturgical Use:
Infant baptism.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

WYATT is a tune that Dale Grotenhuis (PHH 4) originally composed for an Easter cantata. When Marie J. Post asked him to provide music for her baptism hymn, Grotenhuis used this tune. At Post's request, he named it WYATT in honor of her grandson.

WYATT has an effective melodic contour that rises to its highest point in the tune's final phrase. Sing this tune in unison or in harmony at a good pace. Try singing stanza 5 in a slightly more stately manner and with extra reeds and mixtures in the organ accompaniment.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook