First I want to talk about the piano music that you will hear if you join us online for this Sunday’s 9:00 service at St. Paul’s. I will play an arrangement of the four-part canon (or round) “When Jesus wept” (715 in
The Hymnal 1982
): “When Jesus wept, the falling tear in mercy flowed beyond all bound; when Jesus groaned, a trembling fear seized all the guilty world around.” This text is drawn in part from John 11:35, “Jesus began to weep.” A short but meaningful verse, it occurs in the Gospel reading for Sunday, John 11:1-45, the account of the death and resurrection of Jesus’ dear friend Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary.
Are the words “Jesus began to weep” timely? I am sure that many of us have wept or have come close to weeping over the reality of the coronavirus, something that just a short time ago seemed only to be someone else’s problem. “When Jesus wept” reminds and reassures us of our Lord’s deep compassion.
This meditative music is followed by the opening hymn “Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old” (567 in
The Hymnal 1982
). Over the years at St. Paul’s, we have sung this hymn many times. But as we sing it in this Sunday’s service, it seems particularly relevant. This hymn is packed with references to the healing miracles of Jesus.
Edward Hayes Plumptre (1821-1891) wrote the words for “Thine arm, O Lord” in 1864 for use in the Chapel of King’s College Hospital. He was born in London and was a distinguished lecturer, Bible scholar, and theologian and was ordained an Anglican priest in 1847. The tune for this hymn appeared first in
A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms
(London, 1708), although the composer is unknown. Also, no one seems to be able to explain why this tune is called ST. MATTHEW.
The closing words of “Thine arm, O Lord” mean so much to me right now. “To hands that work and eyes that see, give wisdom’s heavenly lore, that whole and sick, and weak and strong, may praise thee evermore.” This reminds me of all the care-givers, those in the medical professions, emergency responders, researchers, those working to clean and sanitize, those feeding the hungry and housing the homeless and refugees, those tending to the needs of loved ones at home, and those restricted from being with loved ones. These words urge me to pray for all of these sisters and brothers. And these words urge me never to stop thanking our merciful and all-powerful and all-healing God.
Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old was strong to heal and save;
It triumphed o’er disease and death, o’er darkness and the grave.
To thee they went, the blind, the deaf, the palsied, and the lame,
The leper set apart and shunned, the sick with fevered frame.
And lo! thy touch brought life and health, gave hearing, strength, and sight;
And youth renewed and frenzy calmed owned thee, the Lord of light:
And now, O Lord, be near to bless, almighty as of yore,
In crowded street, by restless couch, as by Gennesaret’s shore.
Be thou our great deliverer still, thou Lord of life and death;
Restore and quicken, soothe and bless, with thine almighty breath:
To hands that work and eyes that see, give wisdom’s heavenly lore,
That whole and sick, and weak and strong, may praise thee evermore.
Although a few choir members plan to be at St. Paul’s on Sunday to sing the hymns during the Service of the Word, many of us miss singing with the whole congregation. Of course, you may sing along as you watch on your screen at home. Another suggestion is YouTube versions of the hymns. For most of the familiar hymns, you can find many choices, so you can search for one that suits your taste.
