230. Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus
1 Since our great high priest, Christ Jesus,
bears the name above all names,
reigning Son of God, surpassing
other titles, powers, and claims
since to heaven our Lord has passed,
let us hold our witness fast!
2 Since we have a priest who suffered,
knowing weakness, tears, and pain;
who, like us, was tried and tempted;
unlike us, without a stain
since he shared our lowly place,
let us boldly seek his grace!
3 Sacrifice and suffering over,
now he sits at God's right hand,
crowned with praise, no more an outcast,
his preeminence long planned;
such a great high priest we have,
strong to help, supreme to save!
4 Love's example, hope's attraction,
faith's beginning and its end,
pioneer of our salvation,
mighty advocate and friend:
Jesus, now in glory raised,
our ascended Lord, be praised!
| Text Information | |
|---|---|
| First Line: | Since our great high priest, Christ Jesus |
| Title: | Since Our Great High Priest, Christ Jesus |
| Versifier: | Christopher M. Idle (1973) |
| Meter: | 87 87 77 |
| Scripture: | Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 12; Philippians 2:11; Hebrews 1:3-4; Hebrews 1:4 |
| Topic: | Intercession of Christ; Comfort & Encouragement; Suffering of Christ |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | © 1973, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission |
| Tune Information | |
|---|---|
| Name: | ALL SAINTS (WEISSE FLAGGEN) |
| Meter: | 87 87 77 |
| Key: | A Major |
| Source: | Tochter Sion, Cologne, 1741 |
Text Information:
Scripture References:
st. 1 = Heb. 4:14; 1:4
st. 2 = Heb. 4:15-16
st. 3 = Heb. 1:3-4; 12:2; 4:15
st. 4 = Heb. 12:2; 4:15
Based on several texts in the letter to the Hebrews–l: 3-4, 4:14-16 and 12:2–this song incorporates parts of the book's lengthy discussion about Jesus Christ as our High Priest and about his absolute supremacy and sufficiency as the Mediator of God's grace. Because we have such a Priest/Mediator, who identifies with our weaknesses but is without sin, we can confidently approach God's throne of grace and find help for our needs. Christopher M. Idle (PHH 20) wrote this song in London in 1971; it was first published in the British collection Psalm Praise (1973) as an Ascension canticle.
Liturgical Use:
Ascension Day; whenever the church focuses on Christ's role as High Priest and ascended Lord.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
Tune Information:
Unfortunately, the name ALL SAINTS was given to this tune in the Psalter Hymnal, a confusing name since it has been assigned historically to several tunes, including this one. The first three phrases of this bright German chorale tune can be traced to an anonymous melody in a Catholic hymnal (Bamberg, 1732). The Catholic hymnal Tochter Sion (Cologne, 1741) set the text "Lasst die weissen Flaggen wehen" to another variant of this tune. That is the variant found in the Psalter Hymnal. Other contempo¬rary hymnals, for example Rejoice in the Lord (1985), name this version WEISSE FLAGGEN. William H. Monk (PHH 332) did yet another adaptation for Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861); that version, named ALL SAINTS, however, is not the one in the Psalter Hymnal ALL SAINTS–or WEISSE FLAGGEN–is a stately tune with a demanding harmony that a congregation or choir may want to sing in parts. A setting of this tune in B-flat is at 277.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
| Media | |
|---|---|
| MIDI file: |  MIDI |
