The Hymn of the Day

The Hymn of the Day is designated for each Sunday of the Church Year.  These hymns are selected to reflect the theme of the day as found in the Gospel Lesson.  They are rich in theological content and are of historic significance in the worship life of the Church. They reflect the broad spectrum of the Christian Church coming from all parts of the world and from every age of the Church.

Unfortunately Lutheran Service Book does not contain the list of Hymns of the Day.  However, they are found in Lutheran Worship.

The Hymn of the Day for this Sunday is “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.” This French hymn was originally written in Latin by Charles Coffin in 1736. Charles Coffin was a scholar and professor who sought to embody in song the message of today’s Holy Gospel. This hymn is widely used across a variety of denominations in liturgical churches everywhere.  It is rich in the biblical message of both John the Baptist and Jesus.

To plumb the depth of this hymn you may wish to study the following Bible passages and reflect on how Coffin was able to echo their meaning in his hymn.

Stanza 1: Matt 3:1-6; Is 40:3; Ps 34:18; Is 52:7; Luke 8:1; Mark 1:2-6; Luke 3:1-5; John 1:19-23.

Stanza 2: John 1:23; Psalm 10:17.

Stanza 3: Ps 48:3; Is 40:10; Is 40:7-8; Ps 90:6; Gen 15:1; Zeph 3:17.

Stanza 4: Ps 144:7; Ps 67:1; Num 6:25; Ps 138:7; 2 Cor 4:6.

Stanza 5: Ps 146:7; John 8:36.

Pastor Quardokus