324. Forth in Your Name, O Lord, I Go

1 Forth in your name, O Lord, I go
my daily labor to pursue
you only, Lord, resolved to know
in all I think or speak or do.

2 The task your wisdom has assigned
here let me cheerfully fulfill,
in all my work your presence find
and prove your good and perfect will.

3 You may I set at my right hand,
whose eyes my inmost secrets view,
and labor on at your command
and offer all my work to you.

4 Help me to bear your easy yoke,
in every moment watch and pray,
and still to things eternal look
and hasten to that glorious day.

5 Then with delight may I employ
all that your bounteous grace has given,
and run my earthly course with joy,
and closely walk with you to heaven.
Amen.

Text Information
First Line: Forth in your name, O Lord, I go
Title: Forth in Your Name, O Lord, I Go
Author: Charles Wesley (1749, alt.)
Meter: LM
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture: ;
Topic: Commitment & Dedication; Industry & Labor; Will of God (4 more...)
Tune Information
Name: GONFALON ROYAL
Composer: Percy C. Buck (1913)
Meter: LM
Key: G Major
Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press.


Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 2 = Ps. 139:2
Rom. 12:1-2
st. 3 = Ps. 16:8
st. 4 = Matt 11:30
Matt 26:41

Charles Wesley (PHH 267) wrote the text of this hymn and published it in Hymns and Sacred Poems (1749) as a hymn "for believers." It was entitled "Before Work."

The hymn originally had six stanzas. Following John Wesley's example in his Collection (1780), most modern hymnals, including the Psalter Hymnal, omit the original stanza 3.

Recognizing the significance of daily work for the Christian, Charles Wesley wrote and sang hymns not only for Sunday but also for daily use. The text of this hymn reflects Wesley's views about work: we are to do our work in the name of the Lord (st. 1); God calls us to our work in obedience to his will (st. 2); we may offer all our work to God (st. 3); as we journey from this life to glory, we may always view our work as part of the coming of God's kingdom (st. 4); we may gratefully use all God's gifts for his glory (st. 5).

Liturgical Use:
Close of worship; worship services in which labor is stressed (Labor Day Sunday); springtime prayer services for crops and industry; New Year's Day; ordination; profession of faith; commissioning services; when used during the Easter season, substitute an "Alleluia" for the final "Amen."

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Percy C. Buck (b. West Ham, Essex, England, 1871; d. Hindhead, Haslemere, Surrey, England, 1947), director of music at the well-known British boys' academy Harrow School, wrote GONFALON ROYAL for “The royal banners forward go” (gonfalon is an ancient Anglo-Norman word meaning banner). Buck published the tune in 1913 in his Fourteen Hymn Tunes.

Each stanza moves toward a rhythmically intense but inconclusive ending, propelling the singer on to the next stanza. The final ending is reserved for the "Amen," which appropriately concludes this sung prayer. Sing boldly in unison (the usual practice for the boys at Harrow School) with strong organ or piano accompaniment.

Buck studied at the Guildhall School of Music, the Royal College of Music, and Worcester College, Oxford, England, where he received his doctorate. An organist at Worcester College and at Wells and Bristol Cathedrals, he served as director of music at Harrow School from 1901-1927, taught at Dublin University, and then taught at the University of London until his retirement in 1937. He was also knighted that year. Buck wrote pedagogical books on the history and theory of music, on acoustics, and on the psychology of music. A composer of chamber music, anthems, and hymn tunes, he also edited The English Psalter (1925), The Oxford Song Book (1929), and The Oxford Nursery Song Book (1934).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook


Media
MIDI file: MIDI Preview
(Faith Alive Christian Resources)
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

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