Beyond the hymnals resource arose because every year new original hymns are composed for Lutheran congregations and worship. Many of these new hymns grow out of a pastoral need or situation.
The goal of this resource is to sustain awareness and access to this treasure of Christian hymnody and to demonstrate possible uses for the Sundays and festivals of the Church Year, of Year A. They pray it is a source of inspiration to pastors, church musicians, worship planners, classroom teachers, composers, and others.
There are 211 hymns representing the work of 19 Lutheran hymn writers, ranging from the now sainted to current college students.
Behind every hymn there is a story. Concordia University - Centre for Music helps us reflect more deeply on the hymns and their stories by offering us Devotions on the hymn of the day
Written by a wide variety of Lutheran pastors, teachers, church musicians and laity, each of these devotions seeks to unwrap the gift of the hymn text and apply it to the our Christian life.
The hymn originally called "Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" was written by German poet Johann Franck wrote the hymn following the devastating Thirty Years' War in Germany. Despite the grief, destruction, and personal tragedies that surrounded him, Franck penned a text designed to uplift the faithful by placing their focus on God. The hymn draws heavily from the Parable of the Wedding Banquet and imagery from Psalm 43, urging the individual to leave behind earthly sorrows and approach the Lord's Table with joy. So the hymn is often sung as a Holy Communion Hymn
Catherine Winkworth translated the hymn into English
Contemporary Style ' Traditional Words Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. Charles Wesley
Saviour of the nations come
Contemporary Style
Traditional Style
Words 1 Savior of the nations, come, virgin's Son, make here Thy home! Marvel now, O heav'n and earth, that the Lord chose such a birth. 2 Not by human flesh and blood, but the Spirit of our God, was the Word of God made flesh-- woman's Offspring, pure and fresh. 3 Wondrous birth! O wondrous Child Of the Virgin undefiled! Though by all the world disowned, still to be in heav'n enthroned. 4 From the Father forth He came and returneth to the same, captive leading death and hell-- high the song of triumph swell! 5 Thou the Father's only Son, hast o'er sin the vict'ry won. Boundless shall Thy kingdom be; when shall we its glories see? 6 Brightly doth Thy manger shine, glorious is its light divine. Let not sin o'ercloud this light; ever be our faith thus bright. 7 Praise to God the Father sing, Praise to God the Son, our King, Praise to God the Spirit be Ever and eternally. St Ambrose
Creator of the Stars of Night
Contemporary
Traditional
Words Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, And hear Thy servants when they call. Thou, grieving that the ancient curse Should doom to death a universe, Hast found the medicine, full of grace, To save and heal a ruined race. Thou cam’st, the Bridegroom of the bride, As drew the world to evening-tide; Proceeding from a virgin shrine, The spotless victim all divine. At whose dread name, majestic now, All knees must bend, all hearts must bow; And things celestial Thee shall own, And things terrestrial, Lord alone. O Thou whose coming is with dread To judge and doom the quick and dead, Preserve us, while we dwell below, From every insult of the foe. To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Laud, honor, might, and glory be From age to age eternally. Unknown 7th Century hymn
Lyrics - Traditional
1. Rise, Thou Light of Gentile nations,
Jesus, bright and Morning Star;
Let Thy Word, the gladsome tidings,
Ring out loudly near and far,
Bringing freedom to the captives,
Peace and comfort to the slave,
That the heathen, free from bondage,
May proclaim Thy pow'r to save.
2. See the blindness of the heathen,
Strangers to Thy glorious light,
Straying hopeless till they find Thee,
Wand'ring aimless in the night.
See their pitiful condition;
Lo, gross darkness covers all,
And no ray of hope refreshes
Nor dispels the dreadful pall.
3. If Thou, merciful Redeemer,
Hadst not saved us from this plight,
In like darkness we should languish
Hopeless, helpless, in sin's night.
Lovingly Thou, Lord, didst seek us
In the beauty of Thy grace;
Now with joy we freely serve Thee,
We, Thy blessed, chosen race.
4. Knowing Thee and Thy salvation,
Grateful love dare never cease
To proclaim Thy tender mercies,
Gracious Lord, Thy heav'nly peace.
Sound we forth the Gospel tidings
To the earth's remotest bound
That the sinner has been pardoned
And forgiveness can be found.
5. May our zeal to help the heathen
Be increased from day to day
As we plead in true compassion
And for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds,
For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of Thy name.
6. Savior, shine in all Thy glory
On the nations near and far;
From the highways and the byways
Call them, O Thou Morning Star.
Guide them whom Thy grace hath chosen
Out of Satan's dreadful thrall
To the mansions of Thy Father--
There is room for sinners all.
Hymn #498
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Isaiah 60:1
Author: Hermann Fick, d. 1885
Titled: "Gehe auf, du Trost der Heiden"
Tune: "O du Liebe"
1st Published in: Musikalischer Christenschatz
Town: Basel, 1745
LH 232Rise, Thou light of gentile nations Tune: Rex Gloriae
1Rise, O light of Gentile nations, Jesus, bright and morning star. Let your word, the joyful tidings, ring out loudly near and far, bringing freedom to the captive, peace and comfort to the slave, that all people, free from bondage, may proclaim your power to save.
2Lovingly, Lord, you have sought us, you have saved us by your grace; now with joy we freely serve you, we, your blessed, chosen race. Knowing you and your salvation, grateful love dare never cease to proclaim, as you have asked us, your forgiveness and your peace.
3Saviour, shine in all your glory on the nations near and far. From the highways and the byways call them by your guiding star. Lead the lost whom you have chosen out of Satan's evil rule; lead them to the Father's mansions - there is room for sinners all.
Gehe auf, du Trost der Heiden
Hermann Fick 1822-85
Tr composite, Lutheran Church of Australia
based on 'The Lutheran Hymnal' (St Louis), 1941
Song of the month: My Lighthouse by Rend Collection Lyrics Verse 1 In my wrestling and in my doubts In my failures You won't walk out Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Verse 2 In the silence You won't let go In the questions Your truth will hold Your great love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Chorus My Lighthouse my Lighthouse Shining in the darkness I will follow You oh My Lighthouse my Lighthouse I will trust the promise You will carry me safe to shore Safe to shore safe to shore safe to shore Verse 3 I won't fear what tomorrow brings With each morning I'll rise and sing My God's love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea whoa oh You are the peace in my troubled sea Bridge Fire before us You're the brightest You will lead us Through the storms (hey) (REPEAT 3X)
You servants of God, your master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful name;
The name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
His kingdom is glorious, and rules over all.
Our God rules on high, almighty to save;
And still He is nigh: His presence we have.
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus our king.
Salvation to God who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud, and honour the Son,
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces, and worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore, and give Him His right;
All glory and power, all wisdom and might,
All honour and blessing, with angels above,
And thanks never-ceasing, and infinite love.
Charles Wesley
LHS 454 - traditional wording
1.Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol,
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.
2.God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
and still he is nigh, his presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.
3."Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!"
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son;
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.
4.Then let us adore and give him his right,
all glory and power, all wisdom and might;
all honor and blessing with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing and infinite love.
"Christ, the Life of All the Living" by Ernst C. Homburg, 1605-1681 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
1. Christ, the Life of all the living, Christ, the Death of death, our foe, Who, Thyself for me once giving To the darkest depths of woe,-- Through thy sufferings, death, and merit I eternal life inherit: Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
2. Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee Bonds and stripes, a cruel rod; Pain and scorn were heaped upon Thee, 0 Thou sinless Son of God! Thus didst Thou my soul deliver From the bonds of sin forever. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
3. Thou hast borne the smiting only That my wounds might all be whole; Thou hast suffered, sad and lonely, Rest to give my weary soul; Yea, the curse of God enduring, Blessing unto me securing. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
4. Heartless scoffers did surround Thee, Treating Thee with shameful scorn, And with piercing thorns they crowned Thee. All disgrace Thou, Lord, hast borne That as Thine Thou mightest own me And with heavenly glory crown me. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
5. Thou hast suffered men to bruise Thee That from pain I might be free; Falsely did Thy foes accuse Thee,-- Thence I gain security; Comfortless Thy soul did languish Me to comfort in my anguish. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
6. Thou hast suffered great affliction And hast borne it patiently, Even death by crucifixion, Fully to atone for me; Thou didst choose to be tormented That my doom should be prevented. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.
7. Then, for all that wrought my pardon, For Thy sorrows deep and sore, For Thine anguish in the Garden, I will thank Thee evermore, Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing, For Thy bleeding and Thy dying, For that last triumphant cry, And shall praise Thee, Lord, on high. The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #151 Text: Matt. 26:64-67 Author: Ernst C. Homburg, 1659, ab. Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Titled: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" Tune: "Jesu, meines Lebens Leben" 1st Published in: _KirchengesangbuchTown: Darmstadt, 1687
Noted liturgical scholar, composer, and Concordia Seminary Professor Emeritus James Brauer has brought together his decades-long research into Luther’s use of contemporary tunes and melodies in his prolific composition of hymns and sacred songs for the growing Reformation movement in 16th-century Germany.
Professor Brauer’s research has grown to the point that it is too large for an article, but not large enough for a print book. Yet, the research is too good not to share. So it is now available as an ebook which is available from here
As we look ahead to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, Brauer’s work is an invaluable study into how Martin Luther lived out a vibrant gift for music and the arts
A hymn of encouragement to be God's story tellers in our lives
You are called to tell the story,
passing words of life along,
then to blend your voice with others
as you sing the sacred song.
Christ be known in all our singing,
filling all with songs of love.
You are called to teach the rhythm
of the dance that never ends,
then to move with in the circle,
hand in hand with strangers, friends.
Christ be known in all our dancing,
touching all with hands of love.
You are called to set the table,
blessing bread as Jesus blest,
then to come with thirst and hunger,
needing care like all the rest.
Christ be known in all our sharing,
feeding all with signs of love.
May the One whose love is broader
than the measure of all space
give us words to sing the story,
move among us in this place.
Christ be known in all our living,
filling all with gifts of love.
As part of the 125th Anniversary Celebrations of St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, an International Hymn Competition is being held to find a new celebratory Pauline hymn.
The hymn needs to have a focus on St Paul's life, theology or teachings..
The terms and conditions of the Competition are included in the Guidelines attached.
St Paul’s Cathedral acknowledges the generous support of the S. R. Stoneman Foundation in sponsoring this project.
All entries must be submitted by 5pm local Melbourne time on 18 September 2015 to:
Hymn Competition, St Paul’s Cathedral, 209 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
or by email to events@stpaulscathedral.org.au
Together in Song is an Australian Ecumenical Hymn Book. They have released cds of 80 songs played on the pipe organ accompaniments by the organist Siegfried Fanke..
Together in Song CD 1 and 2 includes:
1 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want
2 All people that on earth do dwell
3 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness
4 From all who dwell beneath the skies
5 Praise the Lord, you heavens adore him
6 All creatures of our God and King
7 Now thank we all our God
8 Now thank we all our God
9 Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
10 Praise, my soul, the king of heaven
11 All things bright and beautiful
12 Eternal Father, strong to save
13 Immortal, invisible, God only wise
14 Ye watchers and ye holy ones
15 Joyful, joyful, we adore you
16 God has spoken by his prophets
17 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
18 Praise with joy the world’s Creator
19 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
20 Hark! the herald angels sing
21 Once in royal David’s city
22 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
23 Ride on,ride on in majesty
1 Tune Light’s reddening through the sky
2 Jesus Christ is risen today
3 Christ the Lord is risen today
4 Yours be the glory, risen conquering Son
5 Filled with the Spirit's power, with one accord
6 Christ is made the sure foundation
7 For all the saints who from their labours rest
8 Lord Christ, at your first eucharist you prayed
9 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
10 Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
11 Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
12 O perfect love, all human thought transcending
13 Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy
14 Almighty God, lift up our eyes
15 Lord of creation, to you be all praise
16 Lord of the living, in your name assembled
17 May flights of angels lead you way
18 Lord of earth and all creation
19 When the light of first creation
20 Lord God, you now have set your servant free
21 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
22 Worship, honour, glory, blessing
23 In the same night in which he was betrayed
Together in Song CD 3 and 4 includes:
1 God is my strong salvation
2 Our God, our help in ages past
3 Let us with a gladsome mind
4 Sing praise to the Lord
5 We praise, we worship you
6 Praise to the living God
7 You holy angels bright
8 God is the refuge of his saints
9 The God of Abraham praise
10 O worship the king all glorious
11 Praise to the holiest in the height
12 Father all-loving and ruling
13 Let all creation dance
14 Where wide sky rolls down
15 You servants of God
16 Love divine, all loves excelling
17 Glory to God on High
18 I will sing the wondrous story
19 We have a gospel to proclaim
20 When pain and terror strike
21 Joy to the world
1 While shepherds watched
2 At the cross her vigil keeping
3 God is gone up on high
4 Now the green blade rises
5 At the dawning of salvation
6 Lord your almighty word
7 Worship the Lord in the beauty
8 Your hand, O God, has guided
9 The church’s one foundation
10 The day you gave us
11 Rejoice in God’s saints
12 Community of Christ
13 I bind unto myself today
14 Hallelujah! sing to Jesus
15 An upper room
16 I heard the voice of Jesus say
17 What a friend we have in Jesus
18 Jesus Christ is waiting
19 A new commandment
20 Darkness lay upon the waters
Concordia Publishing House has produced 2 cd's of traditional hymns sung by children with piano accompaniment... Hymns of Faith includes: 1. You Are the Way; Through You Alone 2. O Jesus So Sweet, O Jesus So Mild 3. O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire 4. O Jesus, King Most Wonderful 5. Oh, How Great is Your Compassion 6. Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed 7. Just As I Am, Without One Plea 8. Lord, 'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee 9. I Know My Faith is Founded 10. Jesus Loves Me 11. The Church's One Foundation 12. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 13. Lore of Our Life 14. O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe 15. Jerusalem the Golden 16. For All The Saints 17. The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want 18. Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us 19. If God Himself Be for Me 20. O God, our Help in Ages Past 21. If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee 22. Take My Life and Let it Be 23. Lord Jesus Christ, the Children's Friend 24. Stay With Us 25. God Himself is Present Hymns of the Church Year includes: 1. The Advent of Our King 2. O Bride of Christ, Rejoice 3. Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending 4. Come, Though Long-Expected Jesus 5. Prepare the Royal Highway 6. On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry 7. See amid the Winter’s Snow 8. Joy to the World 9. From God the Father, Virgin-Born 10. In His Temple Now Behold Him 11. Within the Father’s House 12. O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair 13. 'Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here 14. O Lord, throughout These Forty Days 15. On My Heart Imprint Your Image 16. My Son Is Love Unknown 17. Glory Be to Jesus 18. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today 19. The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done 20. He’s Risen, He’s Risen 21. Make Songs of Joy 22. Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain
