Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#406

406. Alleluia! Sing to Jesus

1 Alleluia! sing to Jesus!
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood.
Jesus, out of every nation,
has redeemed us by his blood.

2 Alleluia! not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget his promise,
"I am with you evermore"?

3 Alleluia! heavenly High Priest,
here on earth our help, our stay;
Alleluia! hear the sinful
cry to you from day to day.
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth's Redeemer, hear our plea,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

Text Information

• First Line: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
• Title: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
• Author: William C. Dix (1866, alt.)
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Matthew 28:19-20
  ;
  John 14:18
  ;
  Acts 1:9
  ;
  Revelation 5:6-14
  ;
  Acts 1
  ;
  Revelation 5:14
• Topic: Doxologies; Intercession of Christ; Ascension & Reign of Christ; King, God/Christ as; Alleluias; Assurance; Victory

Tune Information

• Name: LOWELL
• Composer: H. Ernest Nichol (1905)
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Key: A♭ Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Rev. 5:9
st. 2 = John 14:18, Acts 1:9, Matt. 28:20

In 1866 William C. Dix (PHH 358) wrote this text for the celebration of the Lord's Supper at Ascension services. Originally entitled "Redemption by the Precious Blood," the five-stanza text, in which stanza 5 was a repeat of stanza 1, was published in Dix's Altar Songs, Verses on the Eucharist (1867). The original stanza 4 as well as the repeated stanza are omitted here. As in earlier editions of the Psalter Hymnal, stanza 3 changes the original text, which was "Alleluia! Bread of heaven, Thou on earth our food, our stay."

The "alleluias" that begin each stanza create a joyful tone of praise for the entire hymn. As we sing, we acclaim the glory of Christ now that the work of redemption is finished (st. 1); we are reminded that Christ has ascended but is always present with his people by his Spirit (st. 2); and we petition Christ to hear the cry of sinners and be our Intercessor" (st. 3).

Liturgical Use:
Ascension Day, many other occasions.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Composed in 1905 by H. Ernest Nichol (b. Hull, Yorkshire, England, 1862; d. Skirlaugh, Yorkshire, England, 1926), LOWELL was first introduced in the Christian Reformed Church when it was included in the New Christian Hymnal in 1929.

Nichol had begun a study program in civil engineering when he decided to study music instead. In 1888 he received a bachelor's degree in music from Oxford University. Nichol wrote some 130 hymn tunes and texts, many under the pseudonym “Colin Sterne” (derived from his middle and last name); many were first sung at church school programs.

A strong tune LOWELL consists of several dramatic melodic phrases that are repeated and varied. Sing stanza 1 in unison with full, bright accompaniment; sing stanza 2 and 3 in harmony, preferably unaccompanied; then sing stanza 1 again in unison with full accompaniment, thus concluding the hymn in a more jubilant fashion (in tune with what Dix intended). Many other hymnals use HYFRYDOL (568) as a setting for this text.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook