Sing to the Lord
Luther House of Study
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06/25/24 • 12 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Though the crowds and leaders attempt to push Christ’s promise of life aside, nothing will stop our Lord from delivering this gift to sinners. This hymn is an invitation that nothing would stand in our way to sing the “glories of [our] God and King” and “the triumphs of His grace” over all that brings us fear.
Stanza 2 // We may admire the faith of those in this weekend’s Gospel text - falling at Chirst’s feet or straining to touch His clothing - it is Christ who finally offers the Word we most need! This is a prayer that the Word of resurrection Christ has promised would “spread through all the earth” - a wonderful contrast with the conclusion of this weekend’s text. This promise is no longer kept in secret, but with God’s assistance, proclaimed and sung far and wide!
Stanza 3 // The music of the Church is to be the “life, health, and peace” of Christ, by whose name we have “charm” or delight in our “fear” and an end to all “sorrow.”
Stanza 4 // As this weekend’s Gospel text assets, the dead are raised by Christ’s speaking. Sometimes, we can think of this as Jesus’ version of magic, but this hymn suggests even the dead “hear his voice” - much like those who fight through crowds to see the Lord! This hymn even gives a place for the “mournful” to rejoice - those who have experienced death! It is these Christ has come to raise to new life!
Stanza 5 // Even those who seem to take great personal pride in seeking out the goodness of God are saved by “faith alone!” Christ says as much to the woman in this weekend’s text. To the leader, He has faith when those around Him write off Christ’s power. Likewise, we are saved only by the gift of faith God gives - by this, Jesus is “our Savior!”
Stanza 6 // When Christ speaks a word of new life, the entire Church is involved in this singing - the “saints below” and “saints above” sing hymns of praise to Jesus Christ, whether on earth or in heaven, for all are held in Jesus’ promise of resurrection and new life.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 886 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON
ELW 452 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON
ELW 511 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER
ELW 607 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR
ELW 610 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS
ELW 621 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT
ELW 858 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN
ELW 886 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON
LBW 233 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER
LBW 340 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT
LBW 360 - O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come - DISTRESS
LBW 543 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN
LBW 559 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON
LSB 578 - Thy Strong Word - EBENEZER
LSB 697 - Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death - AZMON
LSB 741 - Jesus Lives, My Sure Defense - JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT
LSB 790 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN
LSB 528 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON
RH 11 - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - LOBE DEN HERREN
RH 30 - Oh, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing - AZMON
RH 185 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - CONSOLATOR
"This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now” | The Holy Trinity
Sing to the Lord
05/20/24 • 15 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // When Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit - like the wind - “blows where it chooses” and “[we] do not know where [He] comes from or where [He] goes...” we may have as many questions as Nicodemus, or even a few more! This hymn calms the questions of our mind and heart with a Word: “This” - here - “is the Spirit’s entry” - the “water and the Word.” The Holy Spirit is found in baptism, where we are joined forever to Jesus’ “cross” - His death and resurrection. As if to emphasize the issue twice, this stanza says this promise is both “felt and heard” - that is, in “water and Word.”
Stanza 2 // This stanza reminds us the Trinity is at work in water and Word. The Father who gave us and all things life or “breath” gives us this gift of “life reborn” in the sinless One from whom we “tore [all] life” and crucified. Our promise of death and resurrection is sure because of Jesus Christ, by whose death, we are given life.
Stanza 3 // This stanza might make us nervous, especially after Jesus spends a significant portion of time trying to explain the benefits of Baptism as water and Word applied to the sinner. But to be baptized also means we live in the world each day with all of the frustrating difficulties of life - and God’s promise has something to say even here! “Daily” our “sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires should be drowned through daily repentance...and a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” God “designs” Holy Baptism to do this!
Stanza 4 // How can we pray for the Spirit to “cleanse again” when we are already baptized? Just as the Spirit “calls [and] gathers” us in faith, so the Spirit “keeps” us in the promise God gives. This promise is not only once - but for all time!
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 448 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST
ELW 323 - God Loved the World - ROCKINGHAM OLD
ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÖH
ELW 412 - Come, Join the Dance of Trinity - KINGSFOLD
ELW 413 - Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! - NICAEA
ELW 414 - Holy God, We Praise Your Name - GROSSER GOTT
ELW 442 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
ELW 448 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - LAND OF REST
ELW 451 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
ELW 456 - Baptized in Water - BUNESSAN
ELW 527 - Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now - HERR JESU CHRIST, DICH ZU UNS WEND
ELW 660 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
ELW 666 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
ELW 848 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LBW 192 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE
LBW 194 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LBW 195 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - PERRY
LBW 292 - God Loved the World - DIE HELLE SONN LEUCHT
LBW 377 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
LBW 385 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LBW 520 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LSB 543 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LSB 571 - God Loved the World So That He Gave - st. crispin
LSB 590 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL)
LSB 591 - This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - DAMASCUS ROAD
LSB 601 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LSB 837 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
RH 12 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
RH 74 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
RH 75 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
RH 254 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
RH 269 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
"What Wondrous Love Is This" | Fourth Sunday in Lent
Sing to the Lord
03/05/24 • 12 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Because this is a Scripture passage we’ve heard many times in life [and many times in the lectionary] it is helpful to hear and sing of God’s love in new ways. This hymn helps us hear John 3:16 in what might be a new way. God’s love is seen in Christ “bearing the dreadful curse” for our soul! The curse of sin is our own. Christ comes to make it his own, that we might have his gift of forgiveness and new life.
Stanza 2 // “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world” says the famous Scripture passage. This is not only good news because we do not wish to know the wrath of God, but [as this stanzas points out] we were fairly well condemned without God’s help! Though we were utterly helpless, Christ became helpless for us, laying aside his power and glory to forgive those who were condemned.
Stanza 3 // More than a simple hope that singing might take place in all congregations, we join with the “millions” of sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. This is the theme of the Church - week after week, Sunday after Sunday - who stand in need of the “wondrous love” God gives.
Stanza 4 // The song we sing today is one that does not end! The Son came that we might have life eternal, and sing today in faith, and forever in glory around the throne of the Lamb.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
ELW 666 - What Wondrous Love Is This // ᴡᴏɴᴅʀᴏᴜꜱ ʟᴏᴠᴇ
ELW 321 - Eternal Lord of Love, Behold Your Church - OLD 124TH
ELW 323 - God Loved the World - ROCKINGHAM OLD
ELW 339 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
ELW 442 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
ELW 451 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
ELW 456 - Baptized in Water - BUNESSAN
ELW 660 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
ELW 666 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
ELW 803 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
ELW 848 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LBW 96 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
LBW 192 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE
LBW 194 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LBW 292 - God Loved the World - DIE HELLE SONN LEUCHT
LBW 377 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
LBW 385 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LBW 482 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - ROCKINGHAM OLD
LBW 520 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
LSB 420 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
LSB 425/426 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG // ROCKINGHAM OLD
LSB 543 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
LSB 571 - God Loved the World So That He Gave - st. crispin
LSB 590 - Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - O DASS ICH TAUSEND ZUNGEN HÄTTE (DRETZEL)
LSB 601 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
LSB 837 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
RH 12 - Give to Our God Immortal Praise! - DUKE STREET
RH 74 - We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus - OUIMETTE
RH 75 - All Who Believe and Are Baptized - ES IST DAS HEIL
RH 132 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
RH 218 - Christ, the Life of All the Living - JESU, MEINES LEBENS LEBEN
RH 254 - What Wondrous Love Is This - WONDROUS LOVE
RH 269 - Lift High the Cross - CRUCIFER
"Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart" | Second Sunday in Lent
Sing to the Lord
02/19/24 • 13 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // This first stanza can sound a little bit like doubting, obstinate Peter - “Lord, this should never happen to you!” Instead of joining with Peter, it recognizes the “surpassing value” of knowing Christ as Lord - that heaven itself would be empty without God’s promise. In this Word, we place all our trust.
Stanza 2 // Because God gives everything we have, we can [and should] praise God in all times and places, even as we are reminded of this weekly in the context of Holy Communion. As Peter’s rebuke shows, we need to pray these words: “Give strength and patience unto me to follow!” This means, behind, after our Lord. When Peter wants to tell Jesus where to go, Christ puts him in his place - a follower - to death and resurrection.
Stanza 3 // This glorious picture of heaven pairs especially well with this weekend’s first reading from Genesis, and is itself a glorious picture of the place to which we follow our Lord! When Christ hears and attends to this prayer - we are assured a place in Abraham’s bosom and all the faithful - and know complete joy in Christ, the One we follow through death to life.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
ELW 750 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart // ʜᴇʀᴢʟɪᴄʜ ʟɪᴇʙ
ELW 667 - Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said - BOURBON
ELW 750 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - HERZLICH LIEB
ELW 799 - Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake - MACHS MIT MIR, GOTT
ELW 802 - Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - LASSET UNS MIT JESU ZIEHEN
ELW 803 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
ELW 806 - O God, My Faithful God - O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
ELW 811 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
LBW 102 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
LBW 325 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - HERZLICH LIEB
LBW 398 - “Take Up Your Cross,” the Savior Said - NUN LASST UNS DEN LEIB BEGRABEN
LBW 455 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - MACHS MIT MIR, GOTT
LBW 482 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - ROCKINGHAM OLD
LBW 487 - Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - LASSET UNS MIT JESU ZIEHEN
LBW 504 - O God, My Faithful God - WAS FRAG ICH NACH DER WELT
LSB 422 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
LSB 425/426 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG // ROCKINGHAM OLD
LSB 685 - Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - LASSET UNS MIT JESU ZIEHEN
LSB 688 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - MACHS MIT MIR, GOTT
LSB 696 - O God, My Faithful God - O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
LSB 708 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - HERZLICH LIEB
RH 52 - On My Heart Imprint Your Image - DER AM KREUZ
RH 132 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross - HAMBURG
RH 238 - O God, My Faithful God - O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT
"Oh, Wondrous Image, Vision Fair" | Transfiguration of Our Lord
Sing to the Lord
02/06/24 • 15 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // The first stanza sings of a strange glory. It is one we “share” as the Church - but a glory we have a difficult time describing or explaining! Instead, we share in the glory of a Savior who speaks that we might listen - he will rise from the dead for our sake.
Stanza 2 // The contrast in this short stanza is more than a retelling of Scriptural events. Instead, this places Christ above all those who came before - both those who gave the Law and spoke as prophets. The Lord [who can have casual conversation with such dignitaries] is the beloved Son of God.
Stanza 3 // If we wonder what purpose the Transfiguration of Our Lord serves each year, it is to know the indescribable glory God has prepared for us in Christ! Jesus “deigns” - that is, stoops down and comes to us today - that we might know His promise of “joy...in [the] perfect love of God.”
Stanza 4 // Perhaps this stanza is a commentary on our worship of Almighty God. Sometimes, whether musician, pastor, or Sunday school teacher, we can feel a need to have all the answers, when God knows we struggle to find the proper words! We see this in Peter’s babbling about dwellings, when Christ has much more important work to accomplish. Instead, this stanza acknowledges the mystery of this story - and we respond in song.
Stanza 5 // These words of prayer are sung in the light of those who live knowing the Lord as One who was raised from the dead. The glory we sing of in this stanza is not that we would experience the Transfiguration again, but that God would grant us to see the glory of Christ risen for our salvation.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
ELW 316 - Oh, Wondrous Image, Vision Fair // ᴅᴇᴏ ɢʀᴀᴄɪᴀꜱ
ELW 308 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
ELW 315 - How Good, Lord, to Be Here! - ᴘᴏᴛꜱᴅᴀᴍ
ELW 317 - Jesus on the Mountain Peak - ʙᴇᴛʜᴏʟᴅ
ELW 318 - Alleluia, Song of Gladness - ᴘʀᴀɪꜱᴇ, ᴍʏ ꜱᴏᴜʟ
ELW 553 - Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies - ʀᴀᴛɪꜱʙᴏɴ
ELW 631 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
ELW 838 - Beautiful Savior - ꜱᴄʜöɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀʀ ᴊᴇꜱᴜ
LBW 76 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
LBW 80 - O Wondrous Type! Oh, Vision Fair - ᴅᴇᴏ ɢʀᴀᴄɪᴀꜱ
LBW 89 - How Good, Lord, to Be Here! - ᴘᴏᴛꜱᴅᴀᴍ
LBW 265 - Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies - ʀᴀᴛɪꜱʙᴏɴ
LBW 315 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
LBW 518 - Beautiful Savior - ꜱᴄʜöɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀʀ ᴊᴇꜱᴜ
LSB 395 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
LSB 414 - ‘Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here - ᴘᴏᴛꜱᴅᴀᴍ
LSB 415 - Jesus on the Mountain Peak - ꜱᴇᴡᴀʀᴅ
LSB 416 - Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory - ʟᴏᴠᴇ’ꜱ ʟɪɢʜᴛ
LSB 417 - Alleluia, Song of Gladness - ʟᴀᴜᴅᴀ ᴀɴɪᴍᴀ
LSB 537 - Beautiful Savior - ꜱᴄʜöɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀʀ ᴊᴇꜱᴜ
LSB 700 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
LSB 873 - Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies - ʀᴀᴛɪꜱʙᴏɴ
RH 14 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - ʜʏꜰʀʏᴅᴏʟ
RH 129 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
RH 164 - Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies - ʀᴀᴛɪꜱʙᴏɴ
RH 252 - Beautiful Savior - ꜱᴄʜöɴꜱᴛᴇʀ ʜᴇʀʀ ᴊᴇꜱᴜ
01/29/24 • 11 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Brief accounts of Scripture heard during this time of year can sound like interesting past events, miracles Jesus performed for people in a certain time and place. And, this hymn can sound like a listing of such events! The key phrase in this stanza is the third: “Praise the One who preached the Gospel, healing ev’ry dread disease.” Christ’s healing of “every disease” comes through the preaching of the Gospel, giving hope beyond disease, death, and all earthly affliction.
Stanza 2 // This stanza continues a listing of Jesus’ miraculous work, including a reference to our Lord who “drove out demons...” In this way, we direct praise and thanksgiving for Christ’s past action proclaimed in this weekend’s Gospel text, giving thanks for all of the ways our Lord has shown himself to have power over all powers and circumstances we cannot overcome.
Stanza 3 // If some have referred to John 3:16 as the “Gospel in a nutshell” this final stanza provides the same in the form of a hymn. This too begins as a past event, calling Jesus’ the One who “suffered [and rose] in our place.” But, this stanza will not leave us in past events! Because of our Lord’s work, we know God’s favor, and sing for “joy and gladness.” In this promise, we are united as baptized and forgiven sinners in our Lord’s death and resurrection.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
ELW 843 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness // ɴᴇᴛᴛʟᴇᴛᴏɴ
ELW 308 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
ELW 332 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴍᴏᴅᴇ ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅʏ
ELW 607 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - ᴄᴏɴꜱᴏʟᴀᴛᴏʀ
ELW 611 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - ᴋɪɴɢꜱꜰᴏʟᴅ
ELW 617 - We Come to You for Healing, Lord - ᴍᴀʀᴛʏʀᴅᴏᴍ
LBW 76 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
LBW 497 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - ᴋɪɴɢꜱꜰᴏʟᴅ
LSB 395 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
LSB 699 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - ꜱᴀʀᴀʜ-ᴇʟɪᴢᴀʙᴇᴛʜ
LSB 849 - Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness - ʙᴇᴀᴄʜ ꜱᴘʀɪɴɢ
RH 129 - O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! - ᴡɪᴇ ꜱᴄʜöɴ ʟᴇᴜᴄʜᴛᴇᴛ
RH 185 - Come, Ye Disconsolate - ᴄᴏɴꜱᴏʟᴀᴛᴏʀ
RH 241 - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - ᴋɪɴɢꜱꜰᴏʟᴅ
"Jesus Calls Us, O’er the Tumult" | Third Sunday after Epiphany
Sing to the Lord
01/15/24 • 11 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Our Lord’s call comes not only to disciples in this weekend’s Gospel reading, but “daily” to those burdened by the toils of the world. This means his call is for today! Christ’s word to “follow” sounds over the “wild, restless” sea. This is not simply a reference to those who find their employment in the fishing business, but speaks to Jesus’ call over our daily difficulties.
Stanza 2 // When Christ’s call to follow came to Andrew, Scripture says he “immediately” left his net and followed the Lord. This stanza points out everything disciples leave behind: “home” [family], “toil” [work], and “kindred” [friends], for the sake of God’s call. While we might espouse similar priorities in day-to-day life, those writing hymns know we need to pray these words together as Christian people, that the good news of Christ might have priority over all other things.
Stanza 3 // If we are wondering where “home, toil, and kindred” rank on God’s flow chart of priorities, this stanza calls each of these and all worldly treasures “vain” [or empty] idols - those things which keep us from hearing Christ’s call to follow.
Stanza 4 // The first three stanzas might give us the idea the call of the Christian is one to misery, but this stanza acknowledges the truth of life. We live with “joys, concerns, work, leisure, cares, and pleasures.” Jesus’ word to “follow [or love] me” comes in the midst of these, that we might do the work God gives each day with the love our Savior freely gives.
Stanza 5 // Whether an account of Scripture or today, we hear Christ’s call to follow because Jesus has “mercy!” Stanza-by-stanza, this hymn points out our daily failings to love Christ more than family, friends, work, financial success, and other worldly concerns. The good news in this hymn is found between these often unfulfillable demands. As we struggle and sin daily, Jesus comes with a call to follow each day, forgiving in mercy, that we might be freed to serve and love our Lord.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
ELW 696 - Jesus Calls Us; o’er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
ELW 420/421 - By All Your Saints - ᴋᴜᴏʀᴛᴀɴᴇ // ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
ELW 665 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
ELW 669 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
ELW 685 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
ELW 799 - Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
ELW 825 - You Servants of God - ʟʏᴏɴꜱ
LBW 177/178 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
LBW 252 - You Servants of God - ʟʏᴏɴꜱ
LBW 383 - Rise Up, O Saints of God! - ꜰᴇꜱᴛᴀʟ ꜱᴏɴɢ
LBW 393 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
LBW 406 - Take My Life, that I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
LBW 455 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
LBW 494 - Jesus Calls Us; O’er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
LSB 517/518 - By All Your Saints in Warfare - ᴋɪɴɢ’ꜱ ʟʏɴɴ
LSB 688 - “Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
LSB 783 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ // ʜᴇɴᴅᴏɴ
LSB 825 - Rise, Shine, You People! - wᴏᴊᴛᴋɪᴇᴡɪᴇᴄᴢ
RH 184 - Jesus Calls Us; o'er the Tumult - ɢᴀʟɪʟᴇᴇ
RH 233 - Take My Life, That I May Be - ᴘᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱ
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” | Sixth Sunday of Easter
Sing to the Lord
04/30/24 • 13 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // The “divine love” of Christ exceeds all love we can imagine - a love and joy that must “come down from heaven.” It is the crown of all God’s “faithful mercies” because it is the commandment Christ says will grow out of faith in our Lord! Christ’s love, which knows no boundaries, can enter even the “trembling hearts” of sinners, that we might be given salvation.
Stanza 2 // When Christ enters the human heart, we are given new hearts “set at liberty” by the freedom of God’s “loving Spirit.” This again is God’s love - not our own - by which our “love of sinning” is removed, as we inherit the promised rest Christ promises to give.
Stanza 3 // In what can sound like a prayer for Christ’s final return, this is perhaps best understood and sung as what our Lord does each week we gather in worship. Christ is present where He promises to be - He will not leave His temple! The latter half of this stanza is a picture of what it means to “abide in Christ’s love” - where God’s people praise Christ “without ceasing” and “serve thee” and thy neighbor in the glory of Christ’s “perfect love.”
Stanza 4 // In Christ’s “perfect love” we are made a “new creation” - “pure, spotless, and continually restored” in our Lord’s forgiveness! Heaven is to be “lost” or living daily in the “wonder, love and praise” of Almighty God - the same life to which our Lord invites us today as we abide in His love as His people!
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 367 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
ELW 385 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
ELW 631 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL
ELW 637 - Holy God, Holy and Glorious - NELSON
ELW 836 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY
ELW 863 - My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE
LBW 143 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
LBW 144 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
LBW 315 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL
LBW 551 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY
LBW 524 - My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE
LSB 465 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
LSB 475 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
LSB 700 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL
LSB 803 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY
RH 2 - My God, How Wonderful Thou Art - DUNDEE
RH 14 - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - HYFRYDOL
RH 36 - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee - HYMN TO JOY
RH 158 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
RH 159 - Now Let the Vault of Heaven Resound - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
08/28/23 • 13 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // Throughout the first three stanzas, Christ is speaking to us - we only sing [or preach] his words to one another. It may be helpful for another voice [solo or choir - apart from the congregation] to sing these words. If not, other ways of musically separating the first three stanzas from the fourth helps to sing this hymn with understanding and purpose. The first stanza can sound like a divine to-do list - much like this weekend’s passage: “No matter what comes in life, bear the cross.” It even suggests Christ is our example! In one sense, this is true - there is no other human being who has taken up the cross the way our Lord did! The key word in this stanza is “deny yourself” - this is not about candy, chocolate, or soda. It is about denial of self - knowing we do not belong to this world or ourselves - but that Christ’s cross is all we need for life.
Stanza 2 // The second stanza begins to show us what it means to live in the light of Christ’s cross. As the stanza says: “[Christ is the light” - we only follow. When it says our Lord “displays a godly life” it is easy to hear this in the context of self-denial. It is far more helpful to hear these words as God-in-the-flesh for us. Christ comes to show us how far God is willing to go to “keep our feet from straying” - to the cross! Because of this, we “sojourn here below” with difficulties and death surrounding us - but with a promise! Christ is “the way” - the truth, and the life, and our light in every challenge life brings.
Stanza 3 // Jesus’ words of losing our “life” [or soul] are given meaning here when Christ names Himself the “refuge of the soul” by which we are “led to heaven.” Christ says we “save our life/soul” when we “lose it.” The third stanza tells us how this happens. Jesus will teach us how to “shun and flee” all things harmful to salvation by giving “freedom from sin and temptation.” In Christ’s cross, our soul has refuge, and we are given the gift of heaven today!
Stanza 4 // The fourth stanza suggests we “follow Christ...and take the cross!” This does not mean inventing ways to suffer in life, but “clinging to [Jesus’] Word” when difficulties come in life. We “bear the battle’s strain” - what Christ won for us on the cross - in baptism. We are marked with the cross of Christ, and made members of His kingdom. The “crown of heavenly life” belongs to those who follow this Lord!
SUGGESTIONS:
- ELW 799 - Come, Follow Me, the Savior Spake - ᴍᴀᴄʜꜱ ᴍɪᴛᴛ ᴍɪʀ, ɢᴏᴛᴛ
- ELW 667 - Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said - ʙᴏᴜʀʙᴏɴ
- ELW 750 - Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart - ʜᴇʀᴢʟɪᴄʜ ʟɪᴇʙ
- ELW 783 - Praise and Thanks and Adoration - ꜰʀᴇᴜ ᴅɪᴄʜ ꜱᴇʜʀ
- ELW 802 - Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus - ʟᴀꜱꜱᴇᴛ ᴜɴꜱ ᴍɪᴛ ᴊᴇꜱᴜ ᴢɪᴇʜᴇɴ
"Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove” | Day of Pentecost
Sing to the Lord
05/13/24 • 17 min
ZACHARY'S NOTES:
Stanza 1 // After Jesus tells his disciples he must depart that the Holy Spirit would arrive, it is easy to imagine the disciples' confusion and fear. In our fear, we turn to God’s Holy Spirit in prayer, that we would be restored as those without sin.
Stanza 2 // The Holy Spirit is named in many ways throughout Scripture. This hymn says we cry to the One who brings us “comfort” - the “gift of God” - and the “true fount of life.” The gift of the Holy Spirit is from God, who gives us faith to trust the life God gives in Jesus Christ. In this, we have comfort in all fear.
Stanza 3 // The seven-fold gifts of the Spirit are listed in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah - “wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, piety, and the fear of the Lord.” In each of these, the Spirit gives us to see the “Almighty hand” of God.
Stanza 4 // The blessings of the Holy Spirit are not limited to theological definitions in this prayer, but requested that “every sense” and “every heart” would know the Spirit’s “light” and “love.” God knows we need the “might [and] strength” of the Spirit in the midst of our weakness. When God’s Spirit brings us to faith in God’s saving work, our bodies are redeemed to speak, work, and live in Christ’s freedom.
Stanza 5 // This might sound like one of the more unbelievable aspects of this prayer, especially for those seemingly touched by the “cruel foe” and our sin each day. But, it is a reflection of God who will not “lead us into temptation” as we so often pray. A portion of Luther’s explanation of the Sixth Petition can be helpful - that “God would watch over us and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our sinful self may not deceive us and draw us into false belief...” This is the Spirit’s work - to “keep us” in faith!
Stanza 6 // The purpose of the Holy Spirit is what this stanza says - to teach us to know the “Father, Son, and Spirit” to be one! The message to which the Holy Spirit testifies comes through Father and Son, that we might praise God without end.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 394 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES
ELW 395 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT
ELW 410 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÕH
ELW 454 - Remember and Rejoice - ST. THOMAS
ELW 577/578 - Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove - KOMM GOTT, SCHÖPFER
ELW 582 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE
ELW 627 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG
ELW 743 - Now to the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray - NUN BITTEN WIR
ELW 786 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET
ELW 804 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY
LBW 142 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES
LBW 161 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG
LBW 163 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT
LBW 166 - All Glory Be to God on High - ALLEIN GOTT IN DER HÕH
LBW 284 - Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove - KOMM GOTT, SCHÖPFER
LBW 317 - To God the Holy Spirit Let Us Pray - NUN BITTEN WIR
LBW 459 - O Holy Spirit, Enter In - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET
LBW 472/473 - Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire - VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS // KOMM, GOTT SCHÖPFER
LBW 508 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY
LBW 523 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE
LSB 489 - Hail Thee, Festival Day! - SALVE FESTA DIES
LSB 497 - Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord - KOMM, HEILIGER GEIST, HERRE GOTT
LSB 498/499 - Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest - KOMM, GOTT SCHÖPFER // VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS
LSB 501 - Come Down, O Love Divine - DOWN AMPNEY
LSB 503 - O Day Full of Grace - DEN SIGNEDE DAG
LSB 650 - Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling - IN BABILONE
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FAQ
How many episodes does Sing to the Lord have?
Sing to the Lord currently has 95 episodes available.
What topics does Sing to the Lord cover?
The podcast is about Christianity, Religion & Spirituality, Podcasts and Lutheran.
What is the most popular episode on Sing to the Lord?
The episode title '"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” | Sixth Sunday of Easter' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Sing to the Lord?
The average episode length on Sing to the Lord is 13 minutes.
How often are episodes of Sing to the Lord released?
Episodes of Sing to the Lord are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Sing to the Lord?
The first episode of Sing to the Lord was released on Dec 31, 2022.
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