In that location is a truism that I've previously noted about the music nosotros use in worship: we acquire more theology from what we sing in church than from the sermons we hear. That is not to denigrate the Spirit-led, spirit-affecting power of Give-and-take-based preaching. Instead, it acknowledges the power of music (especially with biblically based texts) to seep into our souls, psyches and memory. That existence the case, we need to take care that what nosotros sing in worship proclaims the truth and – taken together – the whole counsel of God.

While many of us know Bible verses and passages by heart (I do, thanks to years of good training at domicile, Sunday school and Christian schools), I suspect that even more of u.s. tin recite the words to dozens of hymns, psalms and/or contemporary Christian songs. The music deeply etches those texts into our minds and hearts, eliciting everything from ecstatic hallelujahs to repentant or grief-tinged tears.

At that place's a 19th century hymn that Christian Reformed Church members grew up singing in successive Psalter Hymnals on occasions of parting: "God Be With You Till Nosotros Come across Again." The 1880 text is by Jeremiah Rankin, a New England Congregational minister. (He wrote 225 hymn texts; this is the only one surviving in modern hymnals.) The melody I grew up with (GOD BE WITH YOU, past William Tomer), was paired with Rankin's text not long after he wrote it. That's the tune most people will recognize.

When the grayness 1987 Psalter Hymnal came along, Rankin's text was set, instead, to a lovely, far better constructed tune (RANDOLPH) by Britain's best 20th century composer, Ralph Vaughn Williams (PH # 316). While Vaughn Williams' simple melody is hauntingly beautiful, many people missed the one-time tune, and said so: it holds deep memories and significance for them, no doubt because of the parting occasions, including funerals, at which the hymn is sung. Thus, the current CRC/RCA hymnal, Lift Upward Your Hearts, contains both tunes (#southward 943, 944).

Change, similar fourth dimension, marches on
Hymns may go through textual changes equally well. Oft the reasons are based on hymnal editors' worldviews and specific theological traditions. Rankin wrote half dozen stanzas and a refrain. Most mod hymnals (including the Psalter Hymnal and Lift Up Your Hearts) employ only four, and the Vaughan Williams melody dispenses with the refrain.

I'm thinking of this hymn at present because this 154th cavalcade will be the last I write for Christian Courier. I began my association with the paper in 1984 when Bert Witvoet gave me a office-time task as a flick reviewer, then as an editorial assistant. I became the total-time associate editor, so editor for a bit, then (in the Harry der Nederlanden era) came back as a freelance news editor and columnist, and accept remained writing columns until at present. I feel a widening gap betwixt CC's approach to many issues and my own; so I think information technology's fourth dimension to move on. I've relished writing my columns and have much enjoyed getting email, letters and sometimes fifty-fifty phone calls from readers. I invite y'all to continue to contact me, if y'all wish ( moc.rennurdaor@litnavnairam ). I especially invite you to read my blog, "Reformed Revelry" (reformedrevelry.wordpress.com), which I am resurrecting and will update weekly. I still value yous all, and this is my prayer for you:

God be with you till we come across again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with yous till we encounter again.

God be with y'all till nosotros meet once again;
'Neath His wings protecting hide yous;
Daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with y'all till we meet once again;
When life's perils thick confound you;
Put His arms unfailing round yous;
God be with you till we run across once again.

God be with you till we run across over again;
Keep love's banner floating o'er you;
Smite death's threat'ning wave before you.
God be with you till we run into again.

  • Marian Van Til is a former CC editor who lived in Canada from 1975-2000. She now freelances for journals and writes books. Marian is also a classical musician and the music director at a Lutheran Church. She and her husband, Ed Cassidy, live in Youngstown, NY.

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