Setting: Messe a 4 voci da capella – Claudio Monteverdi
Motet: Jesu, the very thought is sweet – Charles Wood
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Few hymns have achieved as much popularity in the Christian church as this Sunday’s offertory hymn in church, O Worship the King. Written by Robert Grant (1779-1838) and based on a paraphrase of Psalm 104 by William Kethe, it first appeared in Edward Bickersteth’s Christian Psalmody 1833 in six stanzas of eight lines. The first three stanzas are a paraphrase of the opening of the psalm, but the last three express the care, mercy, power and love of God. Two phrases stand out above all others: ‘pavilioned in splendour’ and ‘O measureless might’. Grant was born in Bengal, India, and educated at Magdalen College, Cambridge. He entered parliament in 1818, was made privy councillor in 1831, and knighted in 1834, about the time he was appointed governor of Bombay.
There has been considerable debate as to the identity of the composer of the tune Hanover. In some instances it has been attributed to George Frederick Handel. The tune first appeared in A Supplement to the New Version of Psalms by Dr. Brady and Mr. Tate in 1708; however, Handel did not arrive in London until 1710. Subsequent evidence points to William Croft (1678-1727) as its writer. The name of the tune is probably due to its early association with Handel, who was appointed court conductor at Hannover in 1710. An important characteristic of the tune is its triple rhythm. Apart from Tallis and Gibbons, such rhythm is rare in church song prior to 1700. If the tune is indeed the work of Croft, then it marks an important point in the development of a freer style in church music.
O WORSHIP the King
All glorious above;
O gratefully sing
His power and his love:
Our Shield and Defender,
The Ancient of days,
Pavilioned in splendour,
And girded with praise.
O tell of his might,
O sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light,
Whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath
The deep thunder-clouds form,
And dark is his path
On the wings of the storm.
This earth, with its store
Of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy power
Hath founded of old:
Hath stablished it fast
By a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast,
Like a mantle, the sea.
Thy bountiful care
What tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air,
It shines in the light;
It streams from the hills,
It descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils
In the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust,
And feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust,
Nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender!
How firm to the end!
Our Maker, Defender,
Redeemer, and Friend.
O measureless Might,
Ineffable Love,
While angels delight
To hymn thee above,
Thy humbler creation,
Though feeble their lays,
With true adoration
Shall sing to thy praise.
Gerald Harder