603. Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service

Text Information
First Line: Lord, whose love in humble service
Title: Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service
Author: Albert F. Bayly (1961, alt.)
Meter: 87 87 D
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture:
Topic: Society/Social Concerns; Poverty
Copyright: Text and harmonization by permission of Oxford University Press
Tune Information
Name: PLEADING SAVIOR
Harmonizer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
Meter: 87 87 D
Key: F Major
Source: J. Leavitt's Christian Lyre, 1830
Copyright: Text and harmonization by permission of Oxford University Press


Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 4 = Matt. 25:34-10

Albert F. Bayly (PHH 293) wrote this text in response to a Hymn Society of America search for new hymns on social welfare. It was chosen as the theme hymn for the Second National Conference on the Churches and Social Welfare held in Cleveland, Ohio, October 23-27, 1961. The Hymn Society published the text in Seven New Social Welfare Hymns (1961).

The text begins with recognition of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross and then points to the continuing needs of the homeless, the hungry, the prisoners, and the mourners. Bayly's words remind us of modern refugees, AIDS patients, and famine victims who are as close as our doorstep or who are brought to our attention via the news media. The final two stanzas encourage us to move from Sunday worship to weekday service; such integrity in the Christian life is truly a liturgy of sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Liturgical Use:
Services that emphasize missions, diaconal themes, and servanthood.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

PLEADING SAVIOR is a pentatonic folk melody that was included in The Christian Lyre, compiled by Joshua Leavitt (PHH 171) in New York in 1830. The tune's title comes from the John Leland text "Now the Savior Stands A-pleading," to which it was set in that collection. The harmonization by Ralph Vaughan Williams (PHH 316) was first prepared for use in The English Hymnal (1906).

There are various options for singing this fine tune: sing in parts or in unison, or try one of the stanzas in canon, at two measures, unaccompanied. Observe one pulse per bar.

--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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