Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (ELW 392)
1 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus, out of ev’ry nation
has redeemed us by his blood.”
2 Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes, nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him
when the forty days were o’er,
shall our hearts forget his promise:
“I am with you evermore”?
3 Alleluia! Bread of heaven,
here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth’s redeemer, hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
4 Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own:
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heav’n your throne.
As within the veil you entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest,
here on earth both priest and victim
in the eucharistic feast.
5 Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone.
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood;
“Jesus out of ev’ry nation
has redeemed us by his blood.”
Devotion
William Chatterton Dix, author of this hymn, lived in England and Scotland in the mid and late nineteenth century. The industrial revolution was going on, with its class divisions and poverty; English Imperialism was developing; church life was dynamic, contentious, and chaotic.
Dix’s family was educated, his father a doctor and biographer, but also an unreliable alcoholic. William, well-schooled in business, became a marine insurance agent. A religious layman who wrote hymns, at age twenty nine he developed a severe health problem and became bedridden. As he struggled with depression, he turned to God and wrote hymns including “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus.”
We all engage in life experiences which can be at times joyful, terrifying, or just humdrum. Yet beyond them is the presence of the risen, ascended Jesus, who is for us and all people. William Dix had his difficulties in life, but he knew that the risen Christ was an advocate for all of us—and still is.
Prayer
Thank You, merciful Lord, for always being with us. As we pursue our varied activities make us continually aware of your love for us and all, that we may follow you in loving all others in spite of the many difficulties of life. Amen.