Some weeks, each hymn or psalm that we sing in the service has a particular theme or even a particular word in common.
For example, the last two weeks each hymn in the service had some reference to Jesus’ blood and Jesus’ sacrificial death,
respectively. This week, the hymns and psalms are more varied, each responding to the elements in the service that
precede them. We are called into worship by Psalm 33, which calls the whole earth to “stand in awe” of the Lord who
“brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.” We respond with Jesus Shall Reign and In Judah The Almighty’s
Known—Psalm 76, two pieces proclaiming Christ’s kingship over the whole earth (“from shore to shore”) and that all
nations and rulers will pay Him “due reverence.” Following the Scripture reading in which the psalmist declares, “Your
law is within my heart,” we sing God Be Merciful To Me—Psalm 51, asking the Lord, “teach Thy wisdom to my heart.”
We sing I Waited Patient—Psalm 40 during communion, having read from that same psalm three times previously in
the service. The final two hymns, There Is No Greater Portrait and Jesus Paid It All both reflect on the Hebrews 10
passage that we’ve just heard preached. Since “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ,”
we can truly say, “mercy and forgiveness [are] abundant in Your blood.” Because Jesus was offered up “once for all,”
we can sing “all to Him I owe.” —Henry C. Haffner
