April 22nd, 2025
by Herb Suereth
by Herb Suereth
We're excited to continue the "Hymn of the Week" for All Saints Church! Each week, you'll receive an email with a hymn that will be part of our upcoming Sunday worship service. You can expect to read some background on the history and theology of the hymn, as well as resources to help you listen to and learn it.
Whether you're singing along, reflecting on the words, or teaching it to your kids during family worship, we hope this weekly email enhances your worship experience and strengthens your hymn singing muscles.
Whether you're singing along, reflecting on the words, or teaching it to your kids during family worship, we hope this weekly email enhances your worship experience and strengthens your hymn singing muscles.
Hymnal
Text
- Cantus Christi (2020) - #722
Text
- Isaiah 6:3 & Matthew 21:9
- Franz Schubert
Hymn History
Franz Schubert was an Austrian composer who lived during the earl 19th century. During his short lifetime he was not recognized for his composition acumen. He is well known for his “lieds,” or short songs, as well as his symphonies. He contributed to the romantic period of western art music (breaking free from classical conventions for greater musical expression), by using music to help paint the picture of what the song is trying to convey as evidenced in his work “Erlkonig."
About the Lyrics
This setting of Sanctus is comprised of two sections, the Sanctus, which is from Isaiah 6:3, and the Benedictus, which is from Matthew 21:9. This has been used in the church since the mid-fourth century, although not necessarily during the Eucharist. By the mid-sixteenth century it was widely adopted and included in the Eucharist rite. The lyrics are echoes of the angels joining in praise to the King on the throne.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!
We should not sing these lyrics lightly. We are indeed joining with the angels as we praise our Lord and our God! The Benedictus is from the crown welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem during his triumphal entry.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Although Schubert’s lyrics don’t explicitly include the Benedictus from Matthew 21:9, we are indeed in the presence of Christ our Savior while we sing the Sanctus. We are about to feast on his body and blood.
May we sing the Sanctus understanding the reality of what is taking place all around us. We are indeed in the company of the angels and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us sing in a manner worthy of our Triune God as we declare, ”Glory to His name!"
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!
We should not sing these lyrics lightly. We are indeed joining with the angels as we praise our Lord and our God! The Benedictus is from the crown welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem during his triumphal entry.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Although Schubert’s lyrics don’t explicitly include the Benedictus from Matthew 21:9, we are indeed in the presence of Christ our Savior while we sing the Sanctus. We are about to feast on his body and blood.
May we sing the Sanctus understanding the reality of what is taking place all around us. We are indeed in the company of the angels and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us sing in a manner worthy of our Triune God as we declare, ”Glory to His name!"
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