Beautiful Savior (ELW 838)
1 Beautiful Savior, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, truly I’d serve thee,
light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
2 Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
robed in flow’rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
he makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
3 Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels in the sky.
4 Beautiful Savior, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine!
Devotion
I only half-jest with my family that I plan to record myself singing the bass line to “Beautiful Savior” so that they can play it to accompany the sending hymn, and I can sing along at my own funeral. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this life, and begin the next, than singing in full voice, “Glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore be thine!”
When I muse on the possibility, a chuckle arises deep inside, and a smile comes to my faith. For when we pray—and when we sing—who hears our petitions? God’s ears are gladdened. We add to the chorus of the community at worship, and we encourage the confidence of faith—in ourselves. The high praise of Jesus as Lord of the nations is fitting tribute to our Master, Lord, and King. Thanks be to God. Let all creation sing!
Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, forever and ever we are THINE. Beautiful is the One who makes our sorrowing spirit sing, “Now and forevermore be thine!” Amen.