Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#326

326. We Lift Our Hearts to God

Text Information

• First Line: We lift our hearts to God
• Title: We Lift Our Hearts to God
• Author: Cor Wm. Barendrecht (1975)
• Meter: 667 867
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Romans 12:1
  ;
  Philippians 4:7
  ;
  Philippians 4
  ;
  Romans 12
• Topic: King, God/Christ as; Love: Our Love for Others; Preaching; Close of Worship; Justice; Kingdom; Ministry & Service; Obedience; Thanksgiving & Gratitude
• Copyright: Text and music © 1987, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: HESSEL PARK
• Composer: Emily R. Brink (1976)
• Meter: 667 867
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: Text and music © 1987, CRC Publications

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Phil. 4:7
st. 2 = Rom. 12:1

This text is a fitting confession for Christians who must leave the comfortable pew and venture into God's world. The text of stanza I says that we go out to serve, "to work in church and kingdom," under God's protection and with God's blessing of peace. In stanza 2 author Cornelius (Cor) Wm. Barendrecht (b. The Hague, the Netherlands, 1934) quotes from the Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 32) to say that serving God is a whole-life act of worship, "a living sacrifice."

Also quoting New Testament phrases, poet Barendrecht wrote this unrhymed verse text, his first hymn, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1975. Educated at Grand Valley State University and Calvin College, both in Grand Rapids, Barendrecht is a writer and has served as editor for several Christian publications. He was cofounder and editor of the
Christian literary magazine For the Time Being (1970-1978) and is currently director of business and communication of the Grand Rapids Area Ministries and editor of Grace Notes.

Liturgical Use:
As a parting hymn at the close of worship.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Psalter Hymnal editor Emily R. Brink (PHH 158) wrote HESSEL PARK for the Barendrecht text in 1976; the text and tune were first published in For the Time Being. The tune is named for the Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church, Champaign, Illinois, where Brink was music director while teaching at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

HESSEL PARK consists of two long melodic units, each with its own pattern of dramatic rising phrases and descents to the tonic. Sing this tune in unison at a moderate pace with a large organ plenum as supporting cast.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook