Jubal House

Psalm 103

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:02:58 +0000

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Kyrie

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 23:17:21 +0000

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O God, Do Not Keep Silent

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:55:49 +0000

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What Does the Lord Require?

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:40:25 +0000

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We Are the Body

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:30:30 +0000

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Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:19:09 +0000

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Notes compiled by Edwin M. Willmington

Music attributed to Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665 and lyrics by Joachim Neander; translated by Katherine Winkworth

Historical background on this lyrics/music…

The Praise to the Lord, the Almighty text and tune have a rich heritage. The writer of the text has a particularly interesting story. Joachim Neander was born in 1650 as Joachim V…the fifth Joachim Neander to become a pastor in the Bremen area of Germany. He lived and walked in a beautiful valley that was eventually named for him – the Neander Valley. The beautiful scenery in that valley apparently drew from him the verbal pictures of nature found in this hymn.

What is interesting is that two hundred years later the valley area was owned by a man who mined some of the valley for limestone. In the process, there were some bones discovered. A local science teacher claimed that the bones belonged to someone who had died in the Flood of Noah’s time. Since the German word for valley is “thal,” the bones became referred to as “Neanderthal” man – get it? Neander and thal? Quite a way to remember the writer of this well-known hymn text!

The tune, Lobe den Herren, is attributed to the year 1665. It is said that Neander personally chose this tune for his hymn. It is not believed that the text has ever been sung to any other tune.

Giving spiritual content/context of the piece to the choir…

Praise is one of the things that flow from the heart of Christian musicians. We love the loud and let-it-all-loose opportunities that come with anthems of praise. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty has those opportunities to clean out the vocal chords and organ pipes, but it has something else important to praise as well…that is statements of why we praise. The lyrics of the first portion of this anthem are taken from Psalm 103. Psalm 103 is the basis for the hymn text that Neander used. They are paraphrased here to give the choir and congregation several reasons for unhindered praise. Here is portion of Psalm 103 that recount some great reasons for praise. You may allow time for your choir to add their own reasons for personal praise to the ones listed by the psalmist.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not al His benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (ESV)

That is a GREAT list of reasons for praise…wouldn’t you agree? So, with the backdrop of that list, let your soul declare the greatness of God! Amen!

Musical things to consider in rehearsal…

Take note that the first three verses of Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (or however many of them you decide to do) are quiet and smooth. This is not how those verses are normally sung. Since the congregation is invited to join at the director’s discretion, the choir will provide great leadership by having a reserved and more devotional approach to those verses. Save it…the big stuff will come!!!

Once you arrive at the fourth verse, it can be HUGE to the end! You’ll be glad you saved it while you had the chance! Incidentally, if you’re looking for a longer Call to Worship, it will work to start at just before the last verse and go to the end…with the congregation joining if you prefer. Notice the soprano descant. It may be enough for just the 1st sopranos to sing that line.

Comments about using this piece in the context of worship…

It may be most appropriate to precede the song with a scripture reading. The scripture may be spoken by a single reader, multiple readers, or the entire congregation. One of the Psalms of praise or a choosing of various Psalms would work as well. Psalms 145-150 would work, as well as Psalms 48, 95, 96, 98, 100…and several others. Be creative!

Songs that might be good following the song are:

Traditional hymns
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (CORONATION)
Doxology (maybe a cappella in the key of G)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
O Come, Let Us Adore Him (quietly in the key of G)

Worship Songs
Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down (Doherty)
I Worship You, Almighty God (Corbett)
Thou Are Worthy (Mills)
You’re Worthy of My Praises (Ruis)
How Great Is Our God (Tomlin, Reeves, Cash)

Sample Prayers

Written by Lisa Lamb, and used by permission

Lord, we desire to draw near to you in this place, to bring our whole selves into your presence. We come tonight confident in the goodness of your rule over all things. And yet our world does not yet fully know your reign, and we do not yet allow it fully within our own hearts. So we are vulnerable—as nations, and within ourselves, we live too often outside the shelter of your wings.
So, from terrors of night, from the evil and dangers of our world today, from loneliness and heartache within, we come seeking the sure protection of your wings. Weary, we long for your sustenance, like roots long for refreshing rain. Battered, we seek your shelter. Empty, we turn to you, and find all that we desire, more than met in you.

We confess, Lord, that the works of our own hands fizzle, fade, and fall apart. But when you infuse them with your grace, they flourish, nurtured and protected by your care. May we entrust our work to you, letting you defend it and not our own efforts. We will give you all the glory as you cause it to prosper.

O Lord, we live surrounded by your goodness and mercy; it holds us up in ways we scarcely perceive. Each day you give us gifts that sustain and renew life within us. Shape within us a new awareness of the mercy that attends us each day.

Turn our hearts again to ponder your power. We delight in the astonishing paradox that you, Almighty One, desire to meet us with friendship. Befriend us with your love anew tonight.

With our every breath, we join with all that breathes, in a symphony of delight in your beauty. You quicken our heartbeat with glimpses of you, and we fall in astonishment and adoration.

You have made us your own people, and in this we are so glad. We long for the day when all will proclaim you as King. Our voices echo the cry of all creation; may it be so!

In the power and friendship of Jesus Christ we say, Amen, Amen.

O, for a Thousand Tongues To Sing

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 08:03:39 +0000

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In 1739, Charles Wesley wrote an eighteen verse poem to commemorate the one year anniversary of his dramatic conversion. The seventh verse of that song was inspired by a statement from one of his Moravian mentors, who said, “Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Him with them all!” After several iterations of the song, that verse has become the first verse and title of a five verse hymn that we know as…”O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise.”

The tune most often used with this text is AZMON. It’s composer, Carl Gläser received his musical training first from his father, then at St. Thomas’ School in Leipzig. When he moved to Barmen, he taught voice, piano, and violin. He was well-known for writing and conducting choral music.

This piece may be used as a point of praise in the context of corporate worship. A congregation maybe encouraged to join Wesley’s praise from the past, and make it their own praise in the present. Had WE a thousand tongues to sing, WE should praise Him with them all!

Lord, Let Your Word

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:48:08 +0000

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Example of using Lord, Let Your Word antiphon with scripture reading

Psalm 119:10-16

Sing Lord, Let Your Word…unison version

(reading – either one person or congregation)

With my whole heart I seek You;
Do not let me stray from Your commandments.
I treasure Your word in my heart,
So that I may not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I declare
All of the ordinances of Your mouth.

Sing Lord, Let Your Word…parts version

(reading – either one person or congregation)

I delight in the way of Your decrees
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And fix my eyes on Your ways.
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

Sing Lord, Let Your Word…parts version

I’ll Fix My Eyes

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:28:56 +0000

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Notes compiled by Nathan Kwak

Music by: John Wyeth, from his Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813

Lyrics by: Robert Robinson, appeared in his A Collection of Hymns Used by the Church of Christ in Angel Alley, Bishopgate, 1759

The name of the tune, NETTLETON, was originally called HALLELUJAH or GOOD SHEPHERD.

Historical Background on the Music and Lyrics

Music

John Wyeth became manager of a printing company in Santo Domingo at his age of 21 after working in the industry for a while. Later he came back to America and became a co-owner of a newspaper company. The tune for Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing was included in the one of his compiling works, Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, in 1813. The tune was originally taken from folk hymns called NETTLETON. This tune was thought to be composed by John Wyeth himself or Asahel Nettleton, a well-known evangelist of the early nineteenth century, however this thought was not supported by verifiable information.

Lyrics

Robert Robinson lost his father in the early stage of his life. His widowed mother sent him to London at his age of 14. While he was living a reckless and hooligan life there, Robinson encountered a gipsy fortune-teller who made a comment on his life. The very night, half in fun and half seriously, taking his gang with him, Robinson went to a revival service nearby where the famous evangelist, George Whitfield, was preaching. Converted to Christ at his age of 17, the self-taught Robinson became a Methodist pastor and was appointed by John Wesley to the Calvinist Methodist Chapel in England. In 1858, three years after his conversion, he wrote the spiritual journey of his life in the words of the hymn, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.

A Personal Note from the Writer of the Lyrics:

Robert Robinson wrote Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing as a spiritual poem for the conclusion of his sermon for Whitsunday, 1758. It was published the following year in A Collection of Hymns used by the Church of Christ in Angel Alley, Bishopsgate (1759). Originally, the poem originally had four stanzas. The last stanza was omitted by Martin Madan in Psalms and Hymns, 1860 and it has not been used since then.

A Note regarding the Compiler:

John Wyeth compiled two works. They were Repository of Sacred Music, 1810 and Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813. The second book was geared toward revival and camp-meetings containing more revivalistic lyrics.

Giving Spiritual Content/Context of the piece to the Choir:

The first stanza proclaims that the origin of all the blessings is from God’s grace. To Robinson who once lived in a sinful life, “God’s redeeming love” was thoroughly experienced and being saved from the sinful life was the greatest blessing for him. In the second stanza, the story of 1 Samuel 7:12 was referred to. Israel had suffered from defeat because of its sin, but later God rendered blessing to the people of Israel by helping the nation’s victory. The nation was blessed after its people repented. Just like the story, Robinson witnesses the blessings after a repent. As he states that “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love” in the third stanza, we are weak so we can easily fall back to sinful life even after we repent and experience redeemer’s love. This is very true as we see the life of the very writer of the lyrics.

Robert Robinson once repented for his sins and became a pastor, and yet lapsed into sin again. There is a well-known story of Robinson. One day, in his latter years, while he was on a stagecoach, a female passenger wanted to share her faith with him to encourage him. She quoted this hymn saying, “These words might help you as they have helped me.” He sobbed, “Madam, I am the poor, unhappy man who composed that hymn many years ago. I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

Even Robinson who repented, realized how great the grace of God was, and wrote one of the most authentic hymns lapsed into sin again. As we sing this piece of music, we assure ourselves of God’s redeeming love and His blessings in our daily lives. And we also need to be reminded how weak we are and how easy it is to fall into temptation, thus become estranged from God.

Musical Things to Consider in Rehearsal

In the beginning of rehearsal, the history and the background of the song can be shared. As indicated above, since we have a very dramatic story of the writer of the lyrics, it will have a very strongly spiritual impact. With the heart-felt story, choir members can really “sing out” the meaning of the lyrics.

Since this tune is very well known melody to church members, the congregation can sing with the choir. If this song can be arranged in the form in which the tune has varied part and the original part, the original part can be sung by both the congregation and the choir and the varied part can be sung by the choir alone. This will give an effect of praising in dialogue. If the congregation is informed how the anthem will be sung in such fashion, the praise will be carried out much more smoothly. If the story of the writer of the lyrics can be briefly shared with the congregation, it will definitely add the spiritual impact among the congregation as well.

Comments about Using this Piece in the Context of Worship:

1) A leader may introduce the words that were written by a well-known minister and hymn writer. He wrote,

Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed
how sweet heir memory still,
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.

2) A leader can read 1 Peter 2:25.
For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and
guardian of your souls.
Or Proverbs 10:22
The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

3) We can relate this hymn with the hymn, “I Know Not Why God’s Wondrous Grace.”

I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own.

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill may be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days, before His face I see.

Refrain:
But “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”

How Firm a Foundation

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:02:40 +0000

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Notes compiled by Rachelle Navarro
Music by: Joseph Funk
Lyrics by: John Rippon, 1787

Also: The author of this hymn text is known to us only as “K.” The text first appeared in 1787 in Selection of Hymns published by Dr. John Rippon, pastor of Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London, England. Some hymnologists have speculated that R. Keene, the director of music at Dr. Rippon’s church, authored the text, as later reprints acknowledge “Kn” and “Keen” as the writer. An American edition of the hymnal was published in 1820, and the text became widely used in all the states during the Civil War period.

Historical background on lyrics/music:

“How Firm a Foundation” was sung at the funerals of American Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. The hymn was also a favorite of President Andrew Jackson’s wife, Deborah. It was also Gen. Robert E. Lee’s favorite hymn.

In 1536 Calvin wrote, “First, we affirm that we desire to follow Scripture alone as the rule of faith and religion, without mixing with it any other thing which might be devised by the opinion of men apart from the Word of God, and without wishing to accept for our spiritual government any other doctrine than what is conveyed to us by the same Word without addition or diminution, according to the command of our Lord”.

A personal note regarding the composer/arranger:

Joseph Funk was a pioneer American music teacher, publisher, and one of the first American composers. He published seven books and periodicals. One of which was titled, “A Collection of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs” – in 1847.

Giving spiritual content/context of the piece to the choir:

The first stanza establishes the Word of God as our faith being a firm foundation. This truth being so firm that the author asks “What more can He say to you?” The remaining four stanzas are great promises that God has given us through Scripture to comfort us.

“As each promise (Isa. 41:10, Isa. 43:2, 2 Cor. 12:9 and Heb. 13:5) unfolds, we are given cumulative evidence of God’s faithfulness to us that bursts into the exclamation of stanza 5”. -Norma de Waal Malefyt

Musical things to consider in rehearsal:

Before rehearsal, the history of the song can be shared with the choir to give more meaning, depth, and understanding of the hymn to the people. They’ll sing it with more heart that way.

Comments about using this piece in the context of worship:

This hymn may be connected with scripture from Matthew 7:24-29:

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24″Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Then end the connection with an encouraging scripture:

“God’s solid foundation stands firm…the Lord knows those who are His” 2 Timothy 2:19.

It may also connect with a contemporary song, “Rock of Ages” by Rita Baloche. It speaks of Jesus being our rock. He is our firm foundation.

There is no rock
There is no god like our God
No other name
Worthy of all our praise

The Rock of salvation that cannot be moved
He is proven Himself to be faithful and true
There is no rock
There is no god like ours.
Rock of ages, Jesus is the Rock
Rock of ages, Jesus is the Rock
Rock of ages, Jesus is the Rock
There is no rock
There is no god like ours.