76. God Is Known among His People

Text Information
First Line: God is known among his people
Title: God Is Known among His People
Language: English
Publication Date: 1987
Scripture:
Topic: Return of Christ; Judgment
Source: Psalter, 1912; Psalter Hymnal, 1987, rev.
Copyright: Text © 1987, CRC Publications
Tune Information
Name: TEMPLE BORO
Composer: F. Pinder (c. 1900)
Meter: 87 87 98
Key: C Major


Text Information:

Praise for God's mighty deliverance of Zion.

Scripture References:
st. l = vv. 1-3
st. 2 = vv. 4-7
st. 3 = vv. 8-10
st. 4 = vv. 11-12

Ancient tradition suggests that this psalm was composed after the destruction of Sennacherib's army outside Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35). The psalm's main theme develops in the opening and closing stanzas (vv. 1-3, 11-12; st. 1, 4): God defends Zion and makes his name known; God requires commitment, worship, and praise, even from the kings of the earth. The seven Hebrew lines (vv. 4-10) that link the psalm's framing verses celebrate God's awesome act of judgment that brought relief to Zion: God's unequaled power overcomes human might (st. 2), and not even human hostility can frustrate the plans of the God who pronounces judgment from heaven (st. 3). The theme of God's protection of Zion links this psalm with 46 and 48 (see also 84, 87, 122, 125, and 137). The versification is significantly revised from that in the 1912 Psalter.

Liturgical Use:
Beginning of worship; celebrations of God's victories over the enemies of his kingdom.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

F. Pinder composed TEMPLE BORO, published as a setting for Psalm 76 in the 1912 Psalter and in every edition of the Psalter Hymnal. Nothing is known about the composer or the origin of the tune. TEMPLE BORO's three long lines have identical rhythms. Interesting facets of this music are its wide melodic range, its harmonization (undoubtedly intended for choral singing), and the climax in the final line. Strive for three long lines; avoid six choppy phrases.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook


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