{"id":3522,"date":"2012-03-04T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2012-03-04T16:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/grace-filled.net\/?p=3522"},"modified":"2012-03-04T03:42:09","modified_gmt":"2012-03-04T11:42:09","slug":"lenten-hymn-sunday-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grace-filled.net\/?p=3522","title":{"rendered":"Lenten Hymn Sunday (II)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I chose “The God of Abraham Praise” because it’s a good Lenten processional hymn that glorifies God and ties into the readings about Abraham that we have right now in Year B. It is in a minor key and it doesn’t contain the A-word (or H-word depending on spelling). I remember singing it at Church of the Incarnation<\/a> the last time I was there for a full Eucharist in March 2009. I wish I hadn’t had pregnancy grumpiness because it was Rite I and lovely.<\/p>\n

The God of Abraham praise,
\nwho reigns enthroned above;
\nAncient of everlasting days,
\nand God of love;
\nJehovah, great I AM,
\nby earth and heaven confessed:
\nI bow and bless the sacred Name
\nfor ever blessed.<\/p>\n

The God of Abraham praise,
\nat whose supreme command
\nfrom earth we rise, and seek the joys
\nat his right hand;
\nwe all on earth forsake,
\nits wisdom, fame and power;
\nand him our only portion make,
\nour Shield and Tower.<\/p>\n

The goodly land we see,
\nwith peace and plenty blessed:
\na land of sacred liberty
\nand endless rest;
\nthere milk and honey flow,
\nand oil and wine abound,
\nand trees of life for ever grow,
\nwith mercy crowned.<\/p>\n

There dwells the Lord, our King,
\nthe Lord, our Righteousness,
\ntriumphant o’er the world and sin,
\nthe Prince of Peace;
\non Zion’s sacred height
\nhis kingdom he maintains,
\nand, glorious with his saints in light,
\nfor ever reigns.<\/p>\n

The God who reigns on high,
\nthe great archangels sing,
\nand “Holy, holy, holy,” cry,
\n“Almighty King!”
\nWho was and is the same,
\nand evermore shall be:
\nJehovah, Father, great I AM,
\nwe worship thee.”<\/p>\n

The whole triumphant host
\ngive thanks to God on high;
\n“Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”
\nthey ever cry;
\nhail, Abraham’s God and mine;
\nI join the heavenly lays;
\nall might and majesty are thine,
\nand endless praise!
\n— The Hymnal 1982 #401 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(HT: Oremus<\/a> for the lyrics)<\/p>\n

Here is a YouTube video of it from an LCMS congregation (St. Lorenz in Frankenmuth, MI). The sound quality isn’t the best but it’s congregational singing which is how hymns should be.<\/p>\n