Expert Hymn Recommendations

O God, Do Not in Silence Stand  -  Psalm 83 is an anguished prayer of the people of God to stop the powers that conspired to destroy them. Verse 6 asks God to “do to them as you did to Midian”—a reference to an earlier time of conflict when God raised up Gideon (Judges 6-7), sending an angel who commanded him to “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand” (Judges 6:14). Though not named in Psalm 83, Gideon is named in this setting of Psalm 83 as representative of mighty warriors God sent to rescue the people of Israel during the time of the judges.

There Is a Balm in Gilead  -  Jeremiah refers twice to Gilead (8:22; 46:11), evidently a place of spices and medicinal ointments; the refrain here is a prayer for healing, both of body and soul. The verses encourage all believers to testify to the love of Jesus, even if we cannot preach like Peter or pray like Paul.

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. 13 is a summary of Habakkuk’s complaint that God seems not to answer his prayers, but yet he keeps his vow to praise in trust that God will save.

In a Deep, Unbounded Darkness  -  Starting from the beginning of creation, this hymn of praise and prayer for God’s mercy calls on the “God of Hagar, God of Sarah, God of Abraham,” (Genesis 16) and others throughout the early history of God’s people to lead us all “homeward, to the love feast of the Lamb.”

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. 15 speaks of the theme of Haggai to build a place for faithful worship where truth and justice shine forth with God’s glory.

For All the Faithful Women  -  A “catalog” hymn in which the first and final stanzas frame one or more of the 9 additional stanzas celebrating women in several stories in Scripture who were faithful to God’s call, including Hannah (1 Samuel 1) in st. 4. Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) includes every stanza.

Song of Hannah  -  The "Song of Hannah" (1 Samuel 2:1-10) is striking in its similarity to the Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-55): both women exalt the LORD for his saving power, for raising the poor from the dust and humbling the proud, and for answering the prayers of his people.

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. 6 recalls the call of Hosea to return to the Lord, and “blossom like the vine.” God will set right all wrongs.

O My People, Turn to Me  -  Hosea 14:1, 4-7 is set to music, relating God’s plea through the prophet for the people of God to repent, turn, return to the God who loves them, so they may be healed and blessed.

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 Isaac, and finally 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.