Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, one and all to be forgiven. —Latin hymn, 5th century
As Paul brings his letter to a close, he leaves his readers with a sobering call to repentance. He urges them, “examine yourselves” and “test yourselves” (vs. 5), promising that if they persist in their sin he “will not spare them” (vs. 2). These themes of self-examination, solemnity, and repentance are echoed in many of the hymns and readings in this morning’s service. In the Scripture reading from Psalm 139, we ask God to search us and see if there are any “grievous way[s]” in our hearts and thoughts. We respond with Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding, which gives a “solemn warning” to “cast away the works of darkness,” and My Trust Is In The Lord—Psalm 11, which reminds us that all men will “sure be tried” by the Lord. Having examined ourselves and realizing our own sinfulness, we sing “heal me, for my flesh is weak” from Gently, Gently Lay Your Rod—Psalm 6 and “wash me, Savior, or I die” from Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me. The service concludes on a somber note, with the minor mode hymn Not All The Blood Of Beasts. We stand “like a penitent” and confess our sins—but through the blood of “Christ, the Heavenly Lamb” we can rejoice to see the curse removed. —Henry C. Haffner