369. Christ, upon the Mountain Peak
1 Christ, upon the mountain peak,
stands alone in glory blazing.
Let us, if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him.
Alleluia, alleluia!
2 Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
Alleluia, alleluia!
3 Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder!
Alleluia, alleluia!
4 This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets fade before him;
first and last and only One,
let creation now adore him!
Alleluia, alleluia!
| Text Information | |
|---|---|
| First Line: | Christ, upon the mountain peak |
| Title: | Christ, upon the Mountain Peak |
| Author: | Brian Wren (1962) |
| Meter: | 78 78 with alleluias |
| Scripture: | Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36 |
| Topic: | Biblical Names & Places: Elijah; Biblical Names & Places: Moses; Epiphany & Ministry of Christ |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Text © 1977, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission |
| Tune Information | |
|---|---|
| Name: | TRANSFIGURATION |
| Composer: | Norm Jonkman (1984) |
| Meter: | 78 78 with alleluias |
| Key: | F Major |
| Copyright: | Tune © 1987, CRC Publications |
Scripture References:
st. = Luke 9:28-36
Brian Wren (PHH 311) wrote this text at Mansfield College, Oxford, England, in 1962. Published in the British supplement 100 Hymns for Today (1959), "Christ, upon the Mountain Peak" was the second hymn text that Wren wrote.
The text is based on the gospel story of Christ's transfiguration from Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. Powerfully poetic, the text not only captures something of the awe in the event–we share in the awe as we sing "Alleluia"–but also presents a cosmic picture: the saints, angels, prophets, all nations, and the whole creation bring praise to the true Son of God! In the style of the transfiguration celebration in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the entire focus is on Christ, the Alpha and Omega (st. 4).
Liturgical Use:
In worship services that focus on the transfiguration (at the end of the Epiphany season or early in Lent); useful at other occasions that emphasize the cosmic awe proper before God's beloved Son.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
The Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee announced a tune search for this text, and TRANSFIGURATION, composed by Norm Jonkman (PHH 200) in 1984, was chosen among several submitted. TRANSFIGURATION, moving between triple and duple meter has a rather rugged (mountainous) melodic contour and concludes with two rhythmically exciting "Alleluia" figures. Sing in unison, possibly with harmony on the "Alleluias," at which point the brighter organ stops should help to proclaim those "Alleluias." Reserve the most powerful reed or mixture for stanza 4 and build in a solid ritardando for the final "Alleluias." Congregations may need some encouragement with the tune at first, but they will find the extra effort worthwhile.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
