Wednesday, December 19, 2007

#15—LORD, TODAY BLESS THIS NEW MARRIAGE

This is the second of two marriage songs in the Augment. As the Book of Praise committee wrote in the foreword (p. 1), these "… were added to give couples some more choice from among 'our own' hymns for their marriage ceremonies."

Marie J. Post wrote the text for this song in 1966 in Grand Rapids for her son's wedding. The words were inspired by the prayer that concludes the wedding ceremony. If you compare the prayer on page 639 of the Book of Praise, you will see that it is the source.

The tune, CROSS OF JESUS, was composed by John Stainer and comes from his oratorio The Crucifixion (1887). Stainer was born in London in 1840. As a boy, he sang in the choir of St. Paul's Cathedral and, at the age of 16, was appointed to the post of organist. He became professor of music at Oxford University in 1889. Stainer's output of sacred music was extensive and included many cantatas, anthems and carols.

Sources: Psalter Hymnal Handbook; Internet

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