Scripture References: st. 1 = Rev. 21:1-3 st. 2 = Rev. 21:4-6a st. 3 = Rev. 21:6b-14, 18-21
st. 4 = Rev. 21:15-17, 22-23 st. 5 = Rev. 22:1-5

In Revelation 21-22 we read about John's vision of the new heaven and new earth, of the new Jerusalem, and of the river of life where trees grow leaves "for the healing of the nations." This vision brings together features of Jerusalem and the Garden of Eden-both recreated! In pictorial language John describes the awe-inspiring cosmic renewal at the end of time.

Christopher M. Idle (PHH 20) versified this passage in London in 1972; his paraphrase was first published in the British collection Psalm Praise (1973) with the tune NEW HEAVEN by Norman L. Warren (PHH 15). It quickly came across the Atlantic and was published in Hymns for the Living Church (1974). The editor of that hymnal, Donald Hustad, had come across the song in the pews of All Souls' Church, London, England, late in 1972 while practicing for his Royal College of Organists exams. Since that time it has appeared in various other hymnals.

Liturgical Use:
In worship focusing on the worldwide nature of the church; as words of encouragement and comfort for those in the midst of troubles and/or martyrdom; as an exultant doxology; Advent or other times when the church focuses on Christ’s return and the new heaven and new earth; All Saints’ Day; Reformation Day.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

NEW HEAVEN has a folk-like charm; in some ways the first part reminds one of Appalachian tunes. It is one of the few tunes in the Psalter Hymnal that begins in minor and changes to major (another is ST. ANDREW OF CRETE, 575). Idle's text generally warrants this change. Warren wrote that "these marvelous words from Revelation 21 set metrically by Christopher Idle came to me early one Saturday in 1969 as I was just setting off with my children for their weekly swimming lesson. I wrote the tune in about ten minutes in the gallery of the Baths. The first four phrases have a mystery about them and I set the tune in D minor [actually, in the Dorian mode]. The last four lines move into a great sense of joy, so the tune moves to a major key and to a joyful and secure melody. The last three notes invert the opening phrase to add completeness."

The structure of NEW HEAVEN invites unison responsorial singing. A solo or small group could do the minor sections, and a larger group the major sections, with everyone singing stanza 5. Or try the following arrangement: stanza I-soloist (or small group); stanza 2a-everyone; stanza 2b-soloist (or small group); stanza 3-everyone; stanza 4a-soloist (or small group); stanza 4b-everyone; stanza 5a-soloist (or small group); stanza 5b-everyone. Complement this arrangement with the necessary changes in organ accompaniment, or in volume when using other instruments.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook