Our closing hymn this Sunday is “Lord, whose love in humble service” (610 in The Hymnal 1982). We will be singing it to a more familiar tune (from Gather Comprehensive, Second Edition, hymn 668). The text also is slightly updated from what is found in The Hymnal 1982. “Lord, whose love in humble service” was written in 1961 in response to an invitation by the Hymn Society to write hymns on the subject of social welfare. It appeared first in the booklet Seven New Social Welfare Hymns (New York, 1961).
Albert Frederick Bayly (1901-1984) is the author of the text for “Lord, whose love in humble service.” He was born in Sussex, England, and was trained as a shipwright. Later he decided to study for the ministry at Mansfield College, Oxford, and in 1928 was ordained a minister in the English Congregational Church (later the United Reformed Church). In the 1960’s he was among the first of a new wave of hymn writers to focus on current issues, the needs of contemporary urban life, and the Church’s responsibilities to the world.
The tune for “Lord, whose love in humble service” is an anonymous Dutch melody that first appeared in print around 1710 in a collection of peasant songs and country dances. Since three of the four phrases of the melody are identical, the tune is learned quickly even by untrained singers. However, it wasn’t used as a hymn tune until 200 years later, when it was paired with the Ascension hymn “See the Conqueror mounts in triumph” (215 in The Hymnal 1982).
The tune name IN BABILONE comes from the first two words of a poem by the Flemish painter and poet Karel van Mander (1548-1606) that was sung with this melody. The poem began “In Babylon met onverstand / Eerde men Bel de afgod stom” (In Babylon with lack of wisdom / people worshiped Bel, the silent idol). The words of the poem are based on a passage from the Apocryphal book called Bel and the Dragon, which elaborates on incidents about the prophet Daniel that aren’t recorded in the Old Testament book of Daniel.
A commentary on “Lord, whose love in humble service” points out that “Jesus is repeatedly portrayed as both a gift-bearing Savior and moral example.” The commentary continues by saying that the hymn illustrates “the close connection between divine worship and Christian service, between the reception of grace and the fulfillment of duty.” Certainly Jesus is the perfect example of a life spent serving others. As we sing and pray this hymn, we see how closely our responsibilities as 21st-century Christians are related to the life and ministry of Jesus. I love how the words of this hymn fit so well with the stewardship emphasis at St. Paul’s as we commit to God our time, treasure, and talents!
Lord, whose love in humble service bore the weight of human need,
Who did on the cross forsaken, show us mercy’s perfect deed;
We, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart:
Consecrating to your purpose every gift which you impart.
Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, your deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul,
Use the love your Spirit kindles still to save and make us whole.
As we worship, grant us vision, till your love’s revealing light,
Till the height and depth and greatness dawns upon our human sight:
Making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to faithful service, your abundant life to share.
Called from worship into service forth in your great name we go,
To the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show;
Hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give
That your children, Lord, in freedom, may your mercy know and live.
