Songs for Saints

The Lyrics

All 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)

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This upbeat fuguing tune based on Psalm 98 is a barn-burner! It takes some work to learn the parts but it is well worth it. Every verse is on-point but for some reason verse 6 gets me every single time: “Let seas in all their vastness roar, The world, its living horde. Let rivers clap, let mountains sing Their joy before the LORD!”

All God’s creation shouts their joy unto their Maker!

Soli deo gloria!

The Lyrics

O sing a new song to the LORD For wonders He has done; His right hand and His holy arm The victory have won.

The great salvation wrought by Him Jehovah has made known. His justice in the nations' sight He openly has shown.

He mindful of His grace and truth To Isr'el's house has been. The great salvation of our God All ends of earth have seen.

O all the earth, sing to the LORD And make a joyful sound. Lift up your voice aloud to Him; Sing psalms! Let joy resound!

With harp make music to the LORD; With harp a psalm O sing! With horn and trumpet raise a shout Before the LORD, the King.

Let seas in all their vastness roar, The world, its living horde. Let rivers clap, let mountains sing Their joy before the LORD!

Because He comes, He surely comes, The judge of earth to be! With justice He will judge the world, All men with equity.

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #181)

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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 Song

2. Psalm 20 - May the LORD Answer You

This is the “through composed” version of Psalm 20 from the NKJV.

Piano and Voice

3. Fairest Lord Jesus

This 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 Choir

Sopranos

Altos

Tenors

Bass

4. I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I have a separate post for this song but here is the choir and parts for verse 3.

FULL CHOIR

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

5. Alleluia! The Strife is O’er

FULL CHOIR

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

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These week’s SFS selection is appropriate during Eastertide and was written in 1775 by Samuel Medley. It gather’s the title (and oft repeated phrase) from Job 19:25-27 which says:

25For I know that my Redeemer lives,And He shall stand at last on the earth;26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,That in my flesh I shall see God,27 Whom I shall see for myself,And my eyes shall behold, and not another.How my heart yearns within me!

This redeemer is of course Jesus Christ whose resurrection from the dead gives us courage to go into the world and bring glory to His name and expansion to His Kingdom.

Because our Redeemer lives we can face any foe, sail any sea, settle any land, build, laugh, feast, and fight for we are His hands and feet in this world.

Because we know our Redeemer lives, it changes everything.

Where to Find this SFS

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)

* Download the Sheet Music

Additional resources

If you would like to learn the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) parts you can listen to each part below. If you are following along in the music we are singing the last two verses.

SATB Parts

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Additional resources

The beautiful painting that makes up the artwork for this SFS is called “Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor” and was painted by William Halsall in 1882.

I chose this piece of artwork because the pilgrims on the Mayflower were the perfect embodiment of the kind of courage and vision that comes from knowing Christ has risen from the dead. They sought out a new land so that they could begin a distinctly Christian nation that would honor God and be a city on hill. There express purpose in settling this new land was “for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith…”

America as a nation still can return to her Christian roots but Christians must lead this return with greater conviction than even the pilgrims did so many years ago. While the pilgrims fled the wantonness of England to settle this land, we must stay and fight for the land we’ve been given and overcome the rot of degeneracy and apathy that has our nation by the throat. Such conviction can only come from the Holy Spirit filling us with the knowledge, will, and hope that our Redeemer lives!

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis; sed nomine tuo da gloriam!

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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 SFS

Download 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

Martin Luther said “Psalm 8 is a prophecy of Christ - His sufferings, resurrection, and kingly rule over all creatures. This kingdom shall be established by the voice of children, this is, it will be established by Word and faith alone, not by sword or armor.”

For this SFS selection we are using the tune AMSTERDAM written by James Nares and is set in the key of D. My three oldest daughters provide the beautiful harmonies. My eldest, Eva sings the intro and outro along with the first verse and Liesl and Elliana sing with her on verses 2 and 3.

Christ is King over all all the earth. Let us rejoice in this glorious truth knowing “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.” Psalm 145:13

Where to find this SFS

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)

* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #16)

The beautiful painting is called “The Hay Wain” and was painted in 1821 by John Constable.

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 Setting

God 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 forth

Where to find this SFS

You 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 resources

The text for this song comes from The Book of Psalms for Singing © 1973

The 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.

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John Calvin wrote of Psalm 1 “He who collected the Psalms into one volume, whether Ezra or some other person, appears to have placed this Psalm at the beginning, by way of preface, in which he inculcates upon all the godly the duty of meditating upon the law of God.

The sum and substance of the whole is, that they are blessed who apply their hearts to the pursuit of heavenly wisdom; whereas the profane despisers of God, although for a time they may reckon themselves happy, shall at length have a most miserable end.”

Today’s SFS selection is a metrical setting of Psalm 1 written by Douglas Wilson in 2000 set to the music of Heinrich Schütz from 1628. This song is frequently sung in worship at Christ Covenant Church.

The Text (NKJV)

1 Blessed is the manWho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,Nor stands in the path of sinners,Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a treePlanted by the rivers of water,That brings forth its fruit in its season,Whose leaf also shall not wither;And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

The Metrical Text

Blest is the man who does not walkIn ways of the ungodly man,Who does not stand in paths of sinAnd will not sit where mockers talk.

His full delight is in the law,On holy laws he meditates.All day and night he contemplatesAnd holds the truth in rev'rent awe.

Planted deep by the riverside,This tree brings forth the season's fruitHis leaf is nourished from the root;Prosperity is full and wide.

Not so the wicked, who will die.They are like chaff which blows awayAnd cannot stand on judgement day,When He will lift the saints on high.

God knows the way of all His host,The wicked die a godless death.Praise Him, praise Him, those who have breath,Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Where to Find this SFS

Listen to this song on Spotify below or over on Qobuz.

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)

* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #2)

Additional resources

If you would like to learn the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) parts you can listen to each part below. Special thanks to my oldest daughter Eva and oldest son Charles who provided the Alto (Eva) and Tenor (Charles) parts.

SATB Parts

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

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

Martin Luther referred to the the Psalms as “a little Bible…” and went on to explain that “…in it all things that are contained in the whole Bible are given to us in the most wonderfully brief and sweet manner, and condensed into a most beautiful manual.”

Psalm 125 is a short but majestic work speaking to glorious and inevitable victory for those who trust in the LORD. It also promises the good news that “the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous…”

For excellent teaching on Psalm 125 I recommend this sermon by Pastor Aaron Ventura.

The Text (NKJV)

1 “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,which cannot be moved, but abides forever.2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,so the LORD surrounds his people,from this time forth and forevermore.3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not reston the land allotted to the righteous,lest the righteous stretch outtheir hands to do wrong.4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,and to those who are upright in their hearts!5 But those who turn aside to their crooked waysthe LORD will lead away with evildoers!Peace be upon Israel!

The Metrical Text

All, like Mount Zion, unmoved shall endure Whose confidence in the LORD is secure. Like hills encircling Jerus'lem around, Always the LORD will His people surround.

No wicked ruler for long will remain Over the righteous ones' chosen domain, Lest righteous men yield to evil too strong, Putting their hands to commit what is wrong.

LORD, to the good and the upright in heart Show goodness; but make the crooked depart. All who do evil the LORD will expel; O let Your peace rest upon Israel.

Where to find this SFS

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)

* Find the Sheet Music (From the Book of Psalms for Worship #453)

Note: the amazing painting that is used as the cover art for this single is called “Merced River, Yosemite Valley” ” and was painted in 1866 by Albert Bierstadt.

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

This week’s Songs for Saints (SFS) selection is a setting of The Lord’s Prayer by Russian liturgical composer Nikolay Kedrov Sr.

His famous setting of The Lord’s Prayer, sung in Russian, begins with Otche Nash (Our Father) and has been known by that name ever since.

In 2011, James Jordan and Sarah Garner set this piece to the English version of The Lord’s Prayer as found in the King James Version.

If you would like the sheet music, it is found in the Cantus Christi number 726.

The saints of Christ Covenant Church, who currently pray the Lord’s Prayer each week, plan to begin singing this each week during our liturgy. As Martin Luther (or someone) once said, “he who sings, prays twice.”

Where to find this SFS

Listen on Qobuz or Spotify below.

Download this SFS

* Download .mp3 (.mp3 = great quality)

* Download .wav (.wav = high resolution audio file)

* Find the Sheet Music (From the Cantus Christi #726)

Additional resources

If you would like to learn the SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) parts you can listen to each part below

SATB Parts

SOPRANO

ALTO (high & low)

TENOR

BASS

Note: the amazing painting that is used as the cover art for this single is called “Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives” and was painted in 1870 by Frederic Edwin Church.

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