Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#549

549. My Only Comfort

Text Information

• First Line: My only comfort in life and in death
• Title: My Only Comfort
• Author: Zacharius Ursinus (1563)
• Author: Caspar Olevianus (1563)
• Meter: irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Biblical Names & Places: Satan; Creeds; Walk with God; Atonement; Guidance; Redemption; Salvation; Trinity
• Source: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 1; Christian Reformed Church, tr. 1975
• Copyright: Text and music © 1987, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: HEIDELBERG 1
• Composer: Emily R. Brink (1975)
• Meter: irregular
• Key: d minor
• Copyright: Text and music © 1987, CRC Publications

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = 1 Cor. 6: 19-20, Rom. 14:7-9
st. 2 = 1 Pet. 1:18-19, Heb. 2:14-15
st. 3 = Matt. 10:29-31
st. 4 = Rom. 8:28
st. 5 = 2 Cor. 1:21-22

The Heidelberg Catechism (1563) is the "most ecumenical of the Reformed catechisms and confessions … and is the most widely used and most warmly praised catechism of the Reformation period" (Psalter Hymnal, p. 860).

The text of this prose hymn is Q&A 1 from Lord's Day 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism (thus the tune's title). Though the entire catechism is sometimes treated simply as a pedagogical document, the opening paragraphs in this Lord's Day clearly indicate that this confession was intended to be much more–it is a creed of comfort, hope, and encouragement. In a few sentences this text summarizes the essential components of the Christian faith and walk with the Lord. Many Christians have memorized this part of the catechism; perhaps this musical setting will aid in further memorization.

Liturgical Use
As a sung confession of faith (could be a substitute for one of the other sung creeds, see 518-520); with sermons on the Heidelberg Catechism in which this sung Lord's Day could be paired with any of the other spoken Lord's Days; for festive events–Old/New Year services, special seasons of prayer, Reformation celebrations; funerals.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Emily R. Brink (PHH 158) composed the HEIDELBERG 1 for this text in Champaign, Illinois, in 1975 (the year that the new translation of the catechism was adopted by the Christian Reformed Church). Brink composed the tune, along with a setting for the final "Amen" answer in the Heidelberg Catechism, for a hymn contest celebrating the hundredth anniversary of Calvin College in 1976. Although no submitted hymns were selected as the centennial hymn, eight of Brink's settings for various Q&As of the Catechism (see also 507) were published in Bible Landmarks: A Study of the Heidelberg Catechism, part of the Bible Way curriculum published by CRC Publications in 1977.

HEIDELBERG 1 consists of one flexible chantlike formula, which is applied to stanzas 1-4, and another set of derived motives, which shape stanza 5. Either sing in unison throughout or sing stanzas 1-4 in unison and stanza 5 in harmony. Organ accompaniment initially calls for two manuals and pedal with a clear stop for the soprano part; the increased texture in four parts in stanza 5 suggests a fuller registration.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook