Scripture References:
st. 1 = Gen. 1, Ps. 33:1-11
st. 2 = John 3:16
st. 3 = Rev. 21:4

At the request of the Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee, Marie J. Post (PHH 5) wrote this text in March 1986 based on sections of Our World Belongs to God, a Contemporary Testimony (see p. 857; for the complete text, see pp. 1019-1038 of the worship edition of the Psalter Hymnal 1987).

The text focuses on main themes in the contemporary testimony: God's creation of the world and his providence (par. 8 and 13, st. 1); human sin and God's plan of salvation in Christ (par. 36, 19, 24, 27, st. 2); our hope for a God-glorifying, renewed creation (par. 56 and 58, st. 3).

Liturgical Use:
Congregations can sing this brief choral confession of faith as a profession of faith (in lieu of saying the Apostles' Creed or Nicene Creed); could be sung before or after confessing a section of the Contemporary Testimony.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

John David Edwards (b. Penderlwyngoch, Cardiganshire, Wales, 1805; d. Llanddoget, Denbighshire, North Wales, 1885) was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, England, and ordained an Anglican priest in 1833. He served parishes in Rhosymedre and Llanddoget and published a collection of hymn tunes, Original Sacred Music (2 vols., 1836, 1843), for use in Anglican churches in Wales.

RHOSYMEDRE was published in the 1836 collection. The tune's title is derived from the Welsh parish where Edwards was pastor for some years after 1843. In Wales this tune is associated with Easter and is thought of as a jubilant hymn tune. Outside of Wales, however, it often receives a more devotional treatment.

RHOSYMEDRE is characterized by mainly stepwise motion and by repeated tones. It is a bar form tune (AAB). Sing this fine harmonization in parts. Use firm accompaniment, and play at a moderate pace.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook