Expert Hymn Recommendations

¡Miren qué bueño!  -  In Psalm 133 the church celebrates the joy of our unity in Christ and the call to live in unity with our brothers and sisters around the world and in our local communities of faith. The pouring of copious amounts of oil on Aaron’s head (Psalm 133:5) refers to his ordination and divine appointment to holy service (Exodus 29:7). Pouring of oil was also a sign of honor to a guest at a banquet (Psalm 23:5; Luke 7:40). This infectiously joyous setting by Argentine pastor and composer Pablo Sosa is internationally loved and found in many hymnals.

Surrounded By So Great a Cloud of Witnesses  -  God gave Aaron the exact words with which he was to bless the people, words that have ever since been known as the “Aaronic Benediction.” This familiar blessing has been proclaimed in countless worship services over the centuries. The much loved choral setting by Peter Lutkin has recently been included also in hymnals without the choral amen.

Surrounded By So Great a Cloud of Witnesses  -  The title refers to Hebrews 12:1, a verse which ends with encouragement for us also to “run with perseverance the race set before us.” Hebrews 12 follows the many names listed in Hebrews 11 that include Abel (v. 4) and Abraham and Sarah (v. 11), who are named in this hymn.

You Are Our God; We Are Your People  -  This baptism hymn begins with God’s covenant promise to Noah (st. 1, Genesis 9:8-17), Abraham and Sarah (st. 2, Gen. 17:3-5), and then names Jesus, whose “life and death were a new covenant” (st. 3). In baptism, God’s covenant promises are extended to us and our children in baptism (st. 4). The title comes from the repeated phrase that ends each stanza

Deep in the Shadows of the Past  -  God called Abraham to leave home, country, culture, for a place God would show him (Gen. 12:1). The book of Exodus recounts how Moses led the people of Israel out of slavery through the desert, following God’s presence in the pillars of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21). This hymn reminds us of those deep roots of our faith, as we follow Christ in faith led by the Holy Spirit to “a future yet unknown” (st. 4), trusting that Christ will bring all his people home to the place he is preparing for us (John 14:1).

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?  -  Charles Wesley wrote this hymn as a testimony after his conversion to belief in Christ as his Savior, marveling that Christ “emptied himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race” (st. 2). Like so many of Charles Wesley's hymn texts, "And Can It Be" is full of allusions to and quotations from Scripture; a few of the more obvious texts are Philippians 2:7, Acts 12:6-8, Romans 8:1, and Hebrews 4:16. Wesley's use of metaphors is also noteworthy – he deftly contrasts light and darkness, life and death, slavery and freedom, and especially Christ's righteousness and our unrighteousness.

What Adam's Disobedience Cost  -  The arc of this hymn reaches from “Eden lost” (st, 1), through all of human history until “renewed, restored, we…glimpse …the new Jerusalem” (st. 5). Of Fred Pratt Green’ many treasured hymns, this one is not often found in hymnals, but has earned a place in the popular “Lessons and Carols” services, chosen especially to follow the traditional first scripture reading from Genesis 3

Elijah  -  A folk-like narrative account of the ministry of Elijah, including his prophesy of coming drought to Ahab and then providing food for the widow (st. 1-3; 1 Kings 17), Elijah at Mount Carmel (st. 4-7; 1 Kings 18:16-40), at Mount Horeb (st. 8-10; 1 Kings 19), and his ascension (st. 11-13; 2 Kings 2:1-12). The text is set to AMEN SIAKUDUMISA, a familiar South African chorus. St. 8 recounts Elijah’s flight to save his life from Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife.

Song of the Prophets  -  This “catalog” hymn offers an opening and closing stanza that could frame any one of the inner (16) stanzas that each focus on a biblical prophet. St. 8 is a summary of Amos’ message that the time will surely come not only for judgement against injustice, but for a restoration for the righteous who will be gathered home to “greet the Giver of the feast.”

Let Justice Flow  -  Amos 5:24 is one of the most well-known verses from the prophet. “Let Justice Roll Down” was the title of a famous essay by Martin Luther King, Jr., writing about the state of civil rights and race relations in America in 1964. The song refrain calls us to justice; the verses speak of the many ways justice should flow—to the hungry, the poor, the orphans, those wounded by war, the homeless, the prisoners, as we pray for justice to flow to streams of salvation, bringing peace.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise  -  The opening line comes from Paul’s hymn of praise in 1 Timothy 1:17. Light is a dominant image (see also Psalm 104:2): we praise God, who is “silent as light,” yet ruler, creator, and sustainer, “most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days.“

By All Your Saints Still Striving  -  A “catalog” hymn in which the first and final stanzas could frame one or more of the 21 inner stanzas devoted to giving thanks for particular leaders in the New Testament, including Andrew.