Sing to the Lord Luther House of Study

ZACHARY'S NOTES:  


Stanza 1 // This hymn connects the promises Christ speaks in this weekend’s Gospel text with the promise we are given in Holy Baptism. “Embraced into Christ the vine” we are joined to be “a branch of [the] life-giving Tree” of Christ.
Stanza 2 // The sequence of summer, autumn, and winter is compared to seasons of life. Just as Christ says we are pruned to bear more fruit, so our Lord acts on our behalf that we might know and be sustained by the vine-grower and “shout for joy” at the good news He brings.
Stanza 3 // The middle stages of life are described here as holding a “heavy harvest.” The burdens of responsibility - work, family, friends, relationships, our own needs, and the needs of others - can weigh heavily on us. Joined to the vine, Christ brings His gifts of “beauty, wisdom, and love.”
Stanza 4 // Even in death, we are held and abide in Christ - the vine! This is thanks to the “promise of the spring” - the promise into which we are baptized and held in life and death, even as our lives wither, and must die. Perhaps most espeically in this time, God promises the fruit of faith!
Stanza 5 // As much as this hymn is a prayer weaving together images of today’s reading and Holy Baptism, it is also a hymn of praise. By “word and water” we are revived to abide with Christ, and joined forever to His “Tree of Life” - His cross - by which we abide and live with God forever.


OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 447 - O Blessed Spring - BERGLUND
ELW 342 - There In God’s Garden - SHADES MOUNTAIN
ELW 362 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT
ELW 377 - Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen! - EARTH AND ALL STARS
ELW 379 - Now the Green Blade Rises - NOËL NOUVELET
ELW 447 - O Blessed Spring - BERGLUND
ELW 449 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG
ELW 758 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE
LBW 148 - Now the Green Blade Rises - NOËL NOUVELET
LBW 189 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG
LBW 210 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT
LBW 378 - Amid the Worlds Bleak Wilderness - GRANTON
LBW 464 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE
LSB 474 - Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen! - EARTH AND ALL STARS
LSB 526 - You Are the Way - DUNDEE
LSB 595/595a - O Blessed Spring - O WALY WALY
LSB 603 - We Know That Christ Is Raised - ENGELBERG
LSB 633 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT
RH 150 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 


Stanza 1 // In this brief stanza, we are given purpose for singing - to “offer praise full of love” specifically to the “paschal victim” - that is, the victim of our Easter celebration, who laid his life down for our sake. The celebration of Easter is the two-fold nature of what it means to have a Good Shepherd - one who lays his life down and takes it up again.
Stanza 2 // Singing this stanza alongside hearing Christ as “Good Shepherd” gives us a new angle from which to view this parable. With a temptation to figure out where we are present in our Lord’s teaching, this hymn tells us the “Shepherd” is also the “Lamb” who “has bled for the sheep!” The “sinless One” lays his life down and takes it up again, that sinners might live with him and no longer fear death.
Stanza 3 // The “strife” which we celebrate is a contention between death and life - between all we turn to for protection - our health, our wealth, our employment, our family, our fame - and what Christ comes to give. He comes that “God and sinners [would be] reconciled” - that we would no longer fear God, but know and be known by the “Good Shepherd” who endures strife for our sake.
Stanza 4 // The final stanza repeats the final words of the second stanza, as if to underscore the message of this parable - the “Good Shepherd” is the one who lays down his life for the sheep. He does not run from the attacks of the world, nor is he “hired” to fulfill a task or attempt to protect those who are His own. Christ has given Himself for sinners, that all people might listen to His voice and be known by God. 


OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 369 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! - LLANFAIR
ELW 502 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - ST. COLUMBA
ELW 544 - Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing - ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN
ELW 657 - Rise, O Sun of Righteousness - SONNE DER GERECKTIGKEIT
ELW 778 - The Lord’s My Shepherd - BROTHER JAMES’ AIR
ELW 780 - Shepherd Me, O God - SHEPHERD ME
ELW 782 - My Shepherd, You Supply My Need - RESIGNATION
ELW 789 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY
ELW 883 - All People That on Earth Do Dwell - OLD HUNDREDTH
LBW 128 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! - LLANFAIR
LBW 196 - Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing - ALLES IST AN GOTTES SEGEN
LBW 245 - All People That on Earth Do Dwell - OLD HUNDREDTH
LBW 451 - The Lord’s My Shepherd - BROTHER JAMES’ AIR
LBW 456 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - ST. COLUMBA
LBW 481 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY
LSB 463 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! - LLANFAIR
LSB 709 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - ST. COLUMBA
LSB 710 - The Lord’s My Shepherd - BELMONT
LSB 711 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY
LSB 791 - All People That on Earth Do Dwell - OLD HUNDREDTH
RH 17 - All People That on Earth Do Dwell - OLD HUNDREDTH
RH 198 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - ST. COLUMBA
RH 205 - Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us - BRADBURY
RH 209 - The Lord’s My Shepherd - BROTHER JAMES’ AIR

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 
Stanza 1 // The good news of Easter is not only that Christ rose from the dead, but that God’s people are brought forth “joy from sadness” - just as He promised throughout all of Scripture. It is the “faithful” who raise the “strain of triumphant gladness” this Easter day - those “full of faith” that God has worked throughout history, and is at work today in the good news of Jesus Christ.
Stanza 2 // All that troubles our soul - whether the reality of death, sin, or other darkness in this life - flies away because of Christ our Light, to whom we offer “laud and praise.”
Stanza 3 // The “Queen of Seasons” is the season of Easter - 50 Days of celebration at the good news of our Lord’s resurrection. This hymn stanza gives purpose to our celebration. We rejoice in this way not only to rehearse the good news of Jesus Christ once a week, but because Christ comes to us now to “render” - that is, give, make, provide - joy. This is the “royal feast of [all] feasts” that has no end!
Stanza 4 // The One whom death could not hold appears to His disciples and to those gathered in worship to bring “peace, which…passes human knowing.” Though we crucified our Lord, laid Him in a tomb, set soldiers at the gate, nothing will keep Christ from giving His promise of life.
Stanza 5 // A word of praise almost interrupts the thoughts of this Trinitarian stanza. When we see God at work throughout Scripture that we might be forgiven, our praise cannot be contained.


OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 363 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
ELW 381 - Peace, to Soothe Our Bitter Woes - FRED TIL BOD
ELW 382 - Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! - MORGENLIED
ELW 384 - That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright - PUER NOBI
LBW 132 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
LBW 154 - That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright - ERSCHIENEN IST DER HERRLICH TAG
LBW 338 - Peace, to Soothe Our Bitter Woes - FRED TIL BOD
LSB 487 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
RH 155 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER

ZACHARY'S NOTES: 
Stanza 1 // The peace of God is a peace given by the Risen Christ to his frightened followers. In him, we have the peace of God and the good news our Lord brings during the Easter season. This is particularly in contrast with the peace the world gives - and Christ points out - He does not give as the world gives! Sometimes, this comes from stereotypical ideas of peace, or political promises we know will be broken. Sometimes, it is dressed up in Christian platitudes. When the Risen Christ bestows or gives the peace of God, we have joy.
Stanza 2 // Though this could be seen as a greeting and farewell commonly spoken in Christian circles, it is helpful to recognize our Lord’s promise in the simple sentence he offers this weekend: “Peace be with you.” This peace goes with us! Christ’s peace that welcomes us as God’s children into this world, goes with us through life, and carries us beyond death.


OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 381 - Peace, to Soothe Our Bitter Woes - FRED TIL BOD
ELW 363 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
ELW 375 - Alleluia! Christ Is Arisen - SANTO DOMINGO
ELW 384 - That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright - PUER NOBIS
ELW 386 - O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing - O FILII ET FILIAE
ELW 390 - The Risen Christ - WOODLANDS
ELW 470 - Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether - UNION SEMINARY
LBW 132 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
LBW 139 - O Sons and Daughters of the King - O FILII ET FILIAE
LBW 154 - That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright - ERSCHIENEN IST DER HERRLICH TAG
LBW 338 - Peace, to Soothe Our Bitter Woes - FRED TIL BOD
LSB 470/471 - O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing - GELOBT SEI GOTT // O FILII ET FILIAE
LSB 472 - These Things Did Thomas Count as Real - REALITER
LSB 487 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER
RH 151 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today - ORIENTUS PARTIBUS
RH 155 - Come, You, Faithful, Raise the Strain - GAUDEAMUS PARITER

ZACHARY'S NOTES:  
Stanza 1 // The Risen Lord is celebrated not only because He rose from the dead - though this is a miracle! - but because He is the same who “suffered to redeem our loss.” This makes Easter “our triumphant, holy day” and the reason Christians gather to celebrate each Sunday.
Stanza 2 // The reason for our singing and exuberant praise is for and because of Christ, who “endured the cross and grave” that sinners might be “redeemed and saved.”
Stanza 3 // The pain Christ endured - our sin, nailed to the cross - obtained for us salvation. Our sin no longer belongs to us, but was taken on by the victorious King, whom angels and saints delight to worship. We join with the saints and angels in a melismatic, repeated text: “Alleluia!” This is an added dimension of praise, where words cannot adequately express joy.
Stanza 4 // The Church sings hymns of praise to God “eternally” because we know his “eternal” love in Christ. This does not mean hymn marathons have to take place - though some congregations do things like this! Here, the Church is all those who know the good news of Jesus’ resurrection - in heaven and earth - and worship Father, Son, and Holy Ghost on Easter morning, every Sunday, and all eternity.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
ELW 365 -  Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - EASTER HYMN
ELW 361 - The Day of Resurrection! - ELLACOMBE
ELW 362 - At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing - SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT
ELW 365 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - EASTER HYMN
ELW 366 - The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done - VICTORY
ELW 367 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
ELW 370 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands - CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
ELW 371 - Christians, to the Paschal Victim - VICTIMAE PASCHALI
ELW 372 - Christ Is Arisen - CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN
ELW 376 - Thine Is the Glory - JUDAS MACCABAEUS
ELW 378 - Awake, My Heart, with Gladness - AUF, AUF, MEIN HERZ
ELW 382 - Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! - MORGENLIED
ELW 385 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
ELW 391 - This Joyful Eastertide - VRUECHTEN
ELW 619 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives - DUKE STREET
LBW 128 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! - LLANFAIR
LBW 129 - Awake, My Heart, with Gladness - AUF, AUF, MEIN HERZ
LBW 131 - Christ Is Risen! Alleluia! - MORGENLIED
LBW 134 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands - CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
LBW 135 - The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done - VICTORY
LBW 136 - Christ Is Arisen - CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN
LBW 137 - Christians, to the Paschal Victim - VICTIMAE PASCHALI
LBW 138 - He Is Arisen! Glorious Word! - WIE SCHÖN LEUCHTET
LBW 143 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
LBW 144 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
LBW 145 - Thine Is the Glory - JUDAS MACCABAEUS
LBW 149 - This Joyful Eastertide - VRUECHTEN
LBW 151 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - EASTER HYMN
LBW 352 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives - DUKE STREET
LSB 457 - Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - EASTER HYMN
LSB 458 - Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands - CHRIST LAG IN TODESBANDEN
LSB 459 - Christ Is Arisen - CHRIST IST ERSTANDEN
LSB 460 - Christians, to the Paschal Victim - VICTIMAE PASCHALI
LSB 461 - I Know That My Redeemer Lives - DUKE STREET
LSB 462 - All the Earth with Joy is Sounding - MICHAEL
LSB 463 - Christ the Lord Is Risen Today; Alleluia! - LLANFAIR
LSB 464 - The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done - VICTORY
LSB 465 - Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds - LASST UNS ERFREUEN
LSB 467 - Awake, My Heart, with Gladness - AUF, AUF, MEIN HERZ
LSB 475 - Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing! - GELOBT SEI GOTT
LSB 477 - Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven - HYMN TO JOY