Give Ear, O Earth, Attend My Songs

Give ear, O earth, attend my songs

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1985)
Tune: NEW 113TH (Hayes)
Published in 1 hymnal

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI
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Versifier: Calvin Seerveld

Calvin Seerveld (b. 1930) was professor of aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto from 1972 until he retired in 1995. Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the University of Michigan; and the Free University of Amsterdam (Ph.D.), he also studied at Basel University in Switzerland, the University of Rome, and the University of Heidelberg. Seerveld began his career by teaching at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1958-1959), and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (1959-1972). A fine Christian scholar, fluent in various biblical and modern languages, he is published widely in aesthetics, biblical studies, and philosophy. His books include Take Hold of God and Pull (1966), The Gr… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Give ear, O earth, attend my songs
Title: Give Ear, O Earth, Attend My Songs
Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1985)
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8
Language: English
Copyright: © Calvin Seerveld

Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Deut. 32:1, 34
st. 2 = Deut. 32:34-38
st. 3 = Deut. 33:26-29

Deuteronomy 32 and 33, which form the basis of this song, compile a series of blessings and judgments that Moses chanted to God's people prior to his death. Like the better known text in Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32:1-43 is a Song of Moses (PHH 152). It was known in medieval Christianity as one of the "lesser" Old Testament canticles. In 1985 Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) paraphrased some key passages from the two chapters – 32:1, 3-4, 34-38, and 33:26-29¬highlighting the praise due to God (st. 1), the death that results from disobedience (st. 2), and God's saving power for his chosen people (st. 3). Seerveld wanted to give voice to the Song of Moses, a song that the apostle John heard sung in heaven (Rev. 15:3).

Liturgical Use:
In presenting central themes of the gospel such as praise, judgment, and salvation, "Give Ear, O Earth" is appropriate in the service of the Word before or after the sermon. Its third stanza also suggests Advent. Seerveld notes that it is suitable as a song of thanksgiving whenever God's people overcome a difficult trial.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune

NEW 113TH (Hayes)

William Hayes (b. Gloucester, England, 1708; d. Oxford, England, 1777) first published NEW 113TH in his Sixteen Metrical Psalms . . . for Use in Magdalen College Chapel (1774) as a setting for a versification of Psalm 134. (Any relationship with Psalm 113, as indicated by the tune name, has never be…

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Media

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #157
  • Full Score (PDF, XML)
  • Bulletin Score (PDF)
  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #157

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