Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#629

629. Worthy Is Christ

1 Worthy is Christ, worthy is Christ;
to him be praise and glory: worthy is the Lord.

2 He gave his life, he died for me;
to him be praise and glory: worthy is the Lord.

1 Digno es Jesús, digno es Jesús;
de recibir la gloria, digno es Jesús.

2 Su vida dio, por mí, murió;
de recibir la gloria, digno es Jesús.

Text Information

• First Line: Worthy is Christ (Digno es Jesús)
• Title: Worthy Is Christ
• Spanish Title: Digno Es Jesús
• Meter: irregular
• Language: English; Spanish
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  John 20:19-29
• Topic: Doxologies; Responses; Songs for Children: Hymns; Texts in Two Languages
• Source: Traditional Spanish

Tune Information

• Name: DIGNO ES JESUS
• Meter: irregular
• Key: F Major
• Source: Traditional Spanish

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Rev. 5:9
st. 2 = Rev. 5:12

Like many other Hispanic choruses, this is a true folk song in that it has an anonymous author, composer, and source. 'Worthy Is Christ" was submitted by members of the Hispanic task force that provided recommendations to the Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee. The task force knew the song from memory and presented it to the committee by singing it. Psalter Hymnal editor Emily R. Brink (PHH 158) notated the hymn during the meeting.

The text is a personal testimonial of praise derived from two of the great doxologies in the last book of the New Testament, which are sung in praise of the Lamb, Jesus Christ:

You are worthy. . .
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation. . . .
Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!

-Revelation 5:9, 12

Liturgical Use:
As a sung response to Scripture reading; as a doxology anytime but, given the second stanza, especially during Lent and at Easter services.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Presumably a tune from oral tradition, DIGNO ES JESUS has a dignified choral harmonization that suggests part singing. Try using guitar accompaniment (it could be accompanied with only three chords: F, B-flat, and C). The stanza-refrain character of the text could be emphasized by singing the stanza line in unison and the refrain line in harmony. Sing at a tempo that encourages meditative singing and do not rush.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook