Songs for Saints

At Christ Covenant Church, our 50 year goal is to train our body of believers to sing all 150 Psalms. In the month of February, we learned Psalm 144 which is, as most Psalms are, relevant to the battle at hand today. This metrical psalm was written by Julie and Timothy Tennent of Seedbed and the rousing music written by Leonard R. Payton of St. John Lutheran Church and the music was sourced from the Treasury of Psalms and Hymns #460.Download this SFS This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

I was deeply distraught by the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday. I, like many, felt a deep rage seeing one of our own taken down by demonic forces for simply speaking with people. Yesterday, many of us learned to truly hate what is evil. The Psalter has answers for clinging to what is good so today I wrote and recorded the following setting of Psalm 120 arranged from the NKJV. It is written for Charlie Kirk, a true gentleman, who dedicated his life to speaking truth in the pursuit of peace. Charlie was truly a peacemaker but the enemies risen up against us only want war. At the end of the song I take a small snippet from Gregory Wilbur’s setting of Psalm 68 - “Let God Arise.”Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, son of God. Psalm 1201 In my distress I cried to the LORD,And He heard me.2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lipsAnd from a deceitful tongue.3 What shall be given to you,Or what shall be done to you,You false tongue?4 Sharp arrows of the warrior,With coals of the broom tree!5 Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech,That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!6 My soul has dwelt too longWith one who hates peace.7 I am for peace;But when I speak, they are for war.Psalm 68 Let God arise in all His mightAnd put the troops of Hell to flight! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

The TextIsaiah 2:2-52 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.The SettingBehold! the mountain of the LordIn latter days shall riseOn mountain tops above the hills,And draw the wondering eyes.To this the joyful nations round,All tribes and tongues, shall flow;Up to the hill of God, they'll say,And to His house we'll go.The beam that shines from Zion hillShall lighten every land;The King Who reigns in Salem's towersShall all the world command.Among the nations He shall judge;His judgments truth shall guide;His scepter shall protect the just,And quell the sinner's pride.No strife shall vex Messiah's reignOr mar the peaceful years;To plowshares soon they beat their swordsTo pruning hooks their spears.No longer hosts encountering hosts,Their millions slain deplore;They hang the trumpets in the hallAnd study war no more.Come then, O house of Jacob, comeTo worship at His shrine;And, walking in the light of God,With holy beauties shine.Download this SFSThis song will be released on Spotify and other streaming services soon but you can download your own copy of it now for free!* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

First published in 1851, The Eagle is a favorite here in the Stout house. Alfred Tennyson wrote this poem during what has been called the “Romanticism” period of English literature which was a reaction against the “Enlightenment.” The enlightenment saw human reason as supreme while the romantics favored human emotion as supreme. As Christians we reject both and recognize that God is supreme over reason and emotion.He clasps the crag with crooked hands; Close to the sun in lonely lands, Ring'd with the azure world, he stands.The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls; He watches from his mountain walls, And like a thunderbolt he falls.This poem is a short and powerfully worded masterpiece which is made all the more glorious when read in light of Job 12:7-10 which says explicitly that the hand of the Lord holds everything found in creation including both the reason and the emotions of man.Job 12:7-10“But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you;And the birds of the air, and they will tell you;Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you;And the fish of the sea will explain to you.Who among all these does not knowThat the hand of the LORD has done this,In whose hand is the life of every living thing,And the breath of all mankind?”Download this SFSThis song will be released on Spotify and other streaming services at the end of the month but you can download your own copy of it now for free!* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

All Four PartsSopranoAltoTenorBassMusic can be found in the YouTube link or by purchasing the Cantus Christi 2020 from Canon Press. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Following worship yesterday, the saints at Christ Covenant Church gathered for a Psalm Sing during which we learned this through composed version of Psalm 15. Then, last night, the Stout kids and I sat down to record a “one-take” version of the song we had a learned together. Josephine, who is 6 (last girl to the left) and who is filled with a fearless love of singing decided to throw in some of her own fancy “harmonies.”The TextPsalm 15 (NKJV)1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?Who may dwell in Your holy hill?2 He who walks uprightly,And works righteousness,And speaks the truth in his heart;3 He who does not backbite with his tongue,Nor does evil to his neighbor,Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,But he honors those who fear the LORD;He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;5 He who does not put out his money at usury,Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.He who does these things shall never be moved.An Alternative RecordingPrior to the Stout kids and I singing this together, I recorded a solo piano version which can be heard below. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.All PartsSopranoAltoTenor Bass This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Today’s Songs for Saints (SFS) selection is monster length, 10 verse, 9 minute hymn written by 18th century poet and Anglican priest Christopher Wordsworth. This is a song traditionally sung on Ascension Day which is 40 days following the resurrection of Christ. While the song of course can and should be sung throughout the church calendar, the 40 days following that glorious Easter morning are filled with joy unspeakable, countless alleluias, and hope that does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out as a result of the Resurrection of Christ. His resurrection was a part of His over mission to save the world and the culmination of this mission following Resurrection is Ascension, Enthronement, and glory!This hymn was given it’s original tune in 1897 by Hubert Perry but I’ve written a different melody for this SFS recording. The hymn is old. The melody is new. The truth is timeless.So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.Mark 16: 19-20The textSee, the Conqueror mounts in triumph; see the King in royal state,Riding on the clouds, His chariot, to His heavenly palace gate.Hark! the choirs of angel voices joyful alleluias sing,And the portals high are lifted to receive their heavenly King.Who is this that comes in glory, with the trump of jubilee?Lord of battles, God of armies, He has gained the victory.He Who on the cross did suffer, He Who from the grave arose,He has vanquished sin and Satan, He by death has spoiled His foes.While He lifts His hands in blessing, He was parted from His friendsWhile their eager eyes behold Him, He upon the clouds ascends;He Who walked with God and pleased Him, preaching truth and doom to come,He, our Enoch, is translated to His everlasting home.Now our heavenly Aaron enters, with His blood, within the veil;Joshua now is come to Canaan, and the kings before Him quail;Now He plants the tribes of Israel in their promised resting place;Now our great Elijah offers double portion of His grace.Thou hast raised our human nature On the clouds to God's right hand;There we sit in heavenly places, There with Thee in glory stand.Jesus reigns, adored by angels; Man with God is on the throne.Mighty Lord, in Thine ascension We by faith behold our own.Holy Ghost, llluminator, shed Thy beams upon our eyes,Help us to look up with Stephen, and to see beyond the skies,Where the Son of Man in glory standing is at God's right hand,Beckoning on His martyr army, succoring His faithful band.See Him, Who is gone before us, heavenly mansions to prepare,See Him, who is ever pleading for us with prevailing prayer,See Him, Who with sound of trumpet, and with His angelic train,Summoning the world to judgment, on the clouds will come again.Lift us up from earth to Heaven; Give us wings of faithful love, Gales of holy aspirations Wafting us to realms above,That with hearts and minds uplifted We with Christ our Lord may dwellWhere He sits enthroned in glory In His Heav’nly citadel.So at last, when He appeareth, We from out our graves may springWith our youth renewed like eagles, Flocking ‘round our Heav’nly King,Caught up in the clouds of Heaven, We shall meet Him in the air,Rise to realms where He is reigning, With Him reign forever there. Glory be to God the Father, glory be to God the Son,Dying, risen, ascending for us, Who the heavenly realm has won;Glory to the Holy Spirit, to one God in persons Three;Glory both in earth and heaven, glory, endless glory, be.Where to find this SFSListen on Qobuz or Spotify below.Download this SFS* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor;stormy wind fulfilling his word:Psalm 148:7-8The textFrom heav'n O praise the LORD; Ye heights, His glory raise. All angels, praise accord; Let all His host give praise. Praise Him on high, Sun, moon, and star, Ye heav'ns afar, And cloudy sky.Yea, let them glorious make Jehovah's matchless name; For when the word He spake They into being came. And from that place Where fixed they be, By his decree They cannot pass.From earth O praise the LORD, Ye deeps and all below; Wild winds that do His work, Ye clouds, fire, hail, and snow; Ye mountains high, Ye cedars tall, Beasts great and small, And birds that fly.Let all the people praise, And kings of every land; Let all their voices raise Who judge and give command. By young and old, By maid and youth, His name in truth Should be extolled.Jehovah's name be praised Above the earth and sky. For He His saints has raised And set their power on high. Him praise accord, O Israel's race, Near to His grace. Praise ye the LORD.Where to find this SFSDownload this SFS* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #294)Note: Artwork was painted by Frederic Edwin Church in 1863 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

The LyricsAll peoples, clap your hands for joy; To God in triumph shout; For awesome is the LORD Most High, Great King the earth throughout. He brings the peoples under us In mastery complete; And He it is Who nations all Subdues beneath our feet.The land of our inheritance He chooses out for us, And He to us the glory gives Of Jacob whom He loves. God is ascended with a shout, The LORD with trumpeting. Sing praises unto God! Sing praise! Sing praises to our King!For God is King of all the earth; Sing praise with skillfulness. God rules the nations; God sits on His throne of holiness. Assemble, men of Abrah'm's God! Come, people, princes, nigh! The shields of earth belong to God; He is exalted high.Download this SFS* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #93) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Note: The post is intended to aid the students of the Christ the King Academy youth choir. We are currently preparing the following 4 songs.1. Job This delightful song comes from The Oxford Book of Carols. Full Song2. Psalm 20 - May the LORD Answer YouThis is the “through composed” version of Psalm 20 from the NKJV.Piano and Voice3. Fairest Lord JesusThis is known as the Crusaders Hymn and the harmonies are breathtaking. The Stout kids and I recorded verse one with the all the parts so you can listen to it as a whole as well as your individual part. Download the sheet music below: Full ChoirSopranosAltosTenorsBass4. I Know That My Redeemer LivesI have a separate post for this song but here is the choir and parts for verse 3.FULL CHOIRSOPRANOALTOTENORBASS 5. Alleluia! The Strife is O’erFULL CHOIRSOPRANOALTOTENORBASS This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

In Genesis chapter 12, God made a special covenant with Abraham in which He promised to bless all the families of the earth through his offspring. The role of God’s people has always been to be ministers (servants) of God unto the heathen nations so that in the latter days all nations will flow into the house of God. (Isa 2:2)This week’s SFS selection is a through-composed version of Psalm 117 that speaks of this blessing God offers the Gentiles. Since we have the privilage of living in the advent of Christ the King we now experience the full blessing of this Psalm as Christ has come making all things new and creating a new humanity that encompasses both Jew and Gentile. Now there is no Jew and there is no Greek for all are one in Christ. The promises of God still apply but now they include all the nations of the world and so we can sing with joy and gladness that God’s merciful kindness is great toward us!Psalm 117 (NKJV)1 Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles!Laud Him, all you peoples!2 For His merciful kindness is great toward us,And the truth of the LORD endures forever.Praise the LORD!Where to find this SFSDownload this SFS* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)* Download the Sheet Music This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com

Note: Several years ago I started and completed a year-long project called The Anno Domini Podcast where I explored the various days, weeks, and seasons in the Church Calendar. Since we are in the midst of Lent right now this weeks SFS will be devoted to a Lenten songs.For Christians today living in the Negative World, it may seem a new thing that wickedness could abound to such absurd levels. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of “reproductive rights” which, in the name of justice, seek to strip children of their status as image bearers of God and reduce them to a mere “choice.” While child sacrifice isn’t new in general, America in particular is suffering from immense blood guilt because of our own slaughter of innocents via abortion. At 3000 casualties a day, millions in profit, and tax payer support to boot this week’s SFS is a prayer for justice for those without voices and also a reminder to those who would commit, support, vote for, defend, legislate, and/or promote such ghoulish behavior that God is not mocked and that if we sow iniquity we will reap the whirlwind.The title of this song comes from one of the last lines which states “Justice will come back again.” Christians living in “clown world” must never forget that justice will come back again to the righteous, that God sees all and knows all, and that “everyone whose heart is upright will see righteous judgement.” Psalm 94:1-15 | The Text 1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongs—O God, to whom vengeance belongs, shine forth!2 Rise up, O Judge of the earth;Render punishment to the proud.3 LORD, how long will the wicked,How long will the wicked triumph?4 They utter speech, and speak insolent things;All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves.5 They break in pieces Your people, O LORD,And afflict Your heritage.6 They slay the widow and the stranger,And murder the fatherless.7 Yet they say, “The LORD does not see,Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”8 Understand, you senseless among the people;And you fools, when will you be wise?9 He who planted the ear, shall He not hear?He who formed the eye, shall He not see?10 He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct,He who teaches man knowledge?11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man,That they are futile.12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD,And teach out of Your law,13 That You may give him rest from the days of adversity,Until the pit is dug for the wicked.14 For the LORD will not cast off His people,Nor will He forsake His inheritance.15 But judgment will return to righteousness,And all the upright in heart will follow it.Psalm 94:1-15 | The Metrical SettingGod of vengeance oh Jehovah God of vengeance oh shine forth Rise up oh You Judge of nations Render to the proud their worth Oh Lord how long shall the wicked How long shall the wicked boast Arrogant the words they pour out Ill men all a taunting host They Jehovah crush your people And your heritage distress They kill sojourner and widow Murder they the fatherless And they say Jehovah sees not Jacob's God does not have eyes Understand oh stupid people When oh fools will you be wise? Who the ear made does He hear not? Who formed eyes does He not see? Who warns nations does He smite not? Who men teaches knows He not? All the thoughts of men the Lord sees Knows that but a breath are they Blessed the man whom You chastise Lord Whom You teach to know Your way Give him rest from days of trouble Till the wicked be overthrown Our Lord will not leave His people Will abandon not His own. When to every verdict given Justice will come back again Everyone whose heart is upright Will see righteous judgement then God of vengeance oh Jehovah God of vengeance oh shine forthWhere to find this SFSYou can also find the single on Spotify, Qobuz, or your favorite streaming platform of choice. Download this SFS* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)Additional resourcesThe text for this song comes from The Book of Psalms for Singing © 1973The amazing picture for the cover art was drawn by none other by Leonardo da Vinci who understood the beauty of the reality described by the psalmist. Psalm 139:13-14 13 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works,And that my soul knows very well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.songsforsaints.com