The Trees of the Field

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace

Paraphraser: Steffi Karen Rubin (1975)
Tune: TREES OF THE FIELD
ONE LICENSE: 34522
Published in 32 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI, Recording
Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Paraphraser: Steffi Karen Rubin

(no biographical information available about Steffi Karen Rubin.) Go to person page >

Notes

Scripture References:
st. = Isa. 55:12

Paraphrasing only verse 12 from Isaiah 55–a chapter rich with invitation, comfort, and wisdom–Steffi G. Rubin (b. The Bronx, NY, 1950) wrote “The Trees of the Field” in 1975. Verse 12 refers to the "going out" from Babylon, the Israelites' return from exile. More generally, and certainly as seen through New Testament eyes, the passage sings of the joy resulting from God's salvation, a joy so far-reaching that even the "trees of the field will clap their hands," and fruitful trees and bushes will grow instead of thorns and briers.

Rubin has written many songs, a number of which have been published and recorded by Jews for Jesus and its performance ensemble, the Liberated Wailing Wall. She received a B.A. degree in English from Simpson College in San Francisco, California. At one time an artist and creative director for Jews for Jesus, she has been self-employed in the graphic arts field since 1980. Rubin is also a music leader at Emmanuel Messianic Congregation and is active in Remnant, a group that sings Messianic music.

In 1985 Bert Polman (PHH 37) prepared an additional stanza based on Isaiah 55:13 to point out that the rejoicing is a testimony to the saving acts of God. This additional stanza was rejected by the copyright owners for the Psalter Hymnal, but was accepted later for publication in Songs for LiFE (1994):

The fir and cypress trees will grow instead of thorns;
the myrtle will replace the briers and nettles:
this will be a sign, a sign of God's mighty name,
that will not be destroyed. Refrain

Liturgical Use:
Festive, highly celebrative, and joyful occasions.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

Tune

TREES OF THE FIELD

The song's popularity is no doubt due to the Jewish-style music by Stuart Dauermann (b. Brooklyn, NY, 1944). Both text and tune were written for the Liberated Wailing Wall, the touring singing group of Jews for Jesus. It was first published in Scriptures to Sing (Lillenas, 1975). The infectious tune…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 32 of 32)

Ancient and Modern #484

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #853

Baptist Hymnal 2008 #570

Church Family Worship #118

Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #804

Common Praise (1998) #662

Community of Christ Sings #645

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #766

Complete Mission Praise #796

Text InfoAudio

Glory to God #80

Hymnal #427

Hymns for a Pilgrim People #219

Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #804

Text InfoTune InfoAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #197

Rejoice Hymns #59

Renew! Songs and Hymns for Blended Worship #302

Sing Joyfully #561

Sing the Faith #2279

Singing the Faith #487

Songs for Life #196

The Celebration Hymnal #764

The Covenant Hymnal #663

The Faith We Sing #2279

The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #244

The Worshiping Church #272

Together in Song #755

Voices Together #847

Voices United #884

Audio

With Heart and Voice #31

Worship and Rejoice #710

Worship His Majesty #211

Worship in Song #335

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