Scripture References:
all st. = 1 Pet. 2:9-12

Written by James E. Seddon (PHH 15), this text is based on the well-known passage in 1 Peter 2:9-12 where Peter calls the church "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" (v. 9). Each stanza of the text begins with one or more of these memorable phrases and then, following Peter's pattern, explains why the church should be such a holy people. Because it is the recipient of God's mercy, the church must be consecrated to holy living as a testimony of praise to God and as a convincing witness to the unsaved.

The text was first published in Hymns for Today's Church (1982).

Liturgical Use:
Regular Sunday worship; special occasions in the life of the church: anniversaries, dedications, ordinations; with confessional preaching on the doctrine of election; baptism; profession of faith; missions services.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook