HymnSite.com's Suggested Hymns

Sundays after Pentecost

Proper 25(30)

Unifying Theme:
Purity and fulfillment in truly following
the law of the Lord
Scripture Theme Hymns
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
--or--
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18		 Moses sees the promised land
--or--
God's people to be holy and just		 479: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
525: We'll Understand It Better By and By
724: On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
--or--
Psalm 1		 The Lord, our dwelling place
--or--
Delight in God's law		 88: Maker in Whom We Live
117: O God, Our Help in Ages Past
379: Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow
Matthew 22:34-46 The greatest commandment, and the Messiah is Lord 89: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
470: My God, I Love Thee
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 Purity of motives 160: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
361: Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Featured Hymn
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart

Hymn #160
Text: Edward H. Plumtre, 1821-1891
Music: Arthur H. Messiter, 1834-1916
Tune: MARION, Meter: SM with Refrain

We have it on great authority. Christ told us that the pure in heart will see God. But what is it to be "pure?" I looked it up in Meriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. The dictionary provides a number of definitions. Pure can mean something that is free from moral fault or guilt. In another sense, it refers to something that is not mixed with anything else. There are several more definitions, but these should give us a good start.

When we are pure in heart, we are free from moral fault or guilt to our very core. But the Word also tells us that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. So how can we ever be pure? How can we ever see God? Through the purifying power of salvation in Jesus Christ! When we accept Christ into our hearts and keep our focus only on Him, unmixed with other desires and distractions that separate us from God, then Christ can cleanse us and make us pure. And then, what a time of rejoicing there will be. Indeed, being pure in heart, we shall see God!

This week's featured hymn was written by Edward H. Plumtre (1821-1891).

1. Rejoice, ye pure in heart;
rejoice, give thanks and sing;
your glorious banner wave on high,
the cross of Christ your King.

Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice,
rejoice, give thanks and sing.
2. Your clear hosannas raise,
and alleluias loud;
whilst answering echoes upward float,
like wreaths of incense cloud.
(Refrain)		 3. Yes, on through life's long path,
still chanting as ye go;
from youth to age, by night and day,
in gladness and in woe.
(Refrain)
4. At last the march shall end;
the wearied ones shall rest;
the pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blest.
(Refrain)		 5. Praise God who reigns on high,
the Lord whom we adore,
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
one God forevermore.
(Refrain)

God bless you--
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Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT.