Collated by Graeme Cross

Graeme is a member of the Uniting Church’s Synod Music Committee. He also works for the Evangelical Alliance insurance project.

The hymn numbers refer to Together in Song (HarperCollins).

615 Almighty God, lift up our eyes (MELITA)

Here is a hymn for national occasions, but it differs from the usual because it is a prayer for our nation to lift its game. Most national hymns praise god for his goodness to us – this one asks God to “inspire us all with visions brave” and to “light in us your Spirit’s flame” so that our nation will fulfil God’s purpose.

The set tune, “Melita”, while appropriate, may still be a little too well associated with other nationalistic words, but it should not be too hard to find other suitable music in the 88.88.88 metre.

616 O day of God, draw near (BELLWOODS)

Like 615, this is a prayer where the singer recognizes how our present national condition is impoverished. It starts and ends by looking to the time of God’s final victory, and in between asks in turn for personal peace of mind (v2), “justice to our land” (v3), and an end to war in the world (v4).

“Bellwoods” is a gentle, contemplative tune befitting the more introverted style of writing, and by slightly varying the rhythm from the standard treatment it gains extra interest.

In this hymn the singers do not pray, but ask questions of themselves, and of various members of society in positions of authority. These questions raise issues of social integrity, and are each followed by the injunction from Micah to “do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God”. In the final verse we are reminded we will be able to achieve this in the strength of Christ.

“Sharpthorne” was written for the words, and appears to be universally accepted as the correct tune.

621 O God of every nation (CRAIGMILLAR)

Here is a prayer for God to “heal our strife-torn world”. In the first verse we seek his loving and merciful guidance where hate and fear divide us. We then pray for the world’s deliverance from trust in wealth, power, war, and pride of race and position, until “dawns the morning glorious when truth and justice reign” under the rule of Christ.

Erik Routley’s tune “Craigmillar” is written in a minor key which well expresses the mood of the words, and gradually builds up to a climax in the second-last line, which is appropriate to the words in each verse.

In each of his verses John Bell first creates an image of Christ; alone (as in Gethsemane), v1; angry (as with the moneychangers), v2; healer, v3; joyful, v4; and calling for volunteers, v5. The second part of each verse has the singer asking Jesus to “(be) fit to serve him”, angry with him, “let my care be active”, “let me dance with you”, and to “walk one step before me”.

The French tune is well-known, and can be made to be peaceful or angry as required.

Here is a prayer for God to possess our land, and for all who live here to share God’s bounty to us. In verse 2 recognition is given to our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, and ultimately we pray for the Spirit’s outpouring on our hurts, and for our country to be kept in God’s care and power.

I would strongly commend the use of “Bennelong” for these words. It is a fine tune, with some effective modern harmonies. “Westminster Abbey” is too stately and English for these more gentle words.

John Bell again, with some stinging observations of injustices in our Western society. In each of the first 4 verses he identifies such scourges as need, greed, privilege and indifference, and follows up with the questions Why? How Long? When will it end? Ultimately the singer is confronted with the call of God, and the example of Christ.

The well-known and lovely folk tune used for these words can become a little tedious by the 6 th verse, but the careful use of solos or small groups can avoid this problem.

Another hymn about war, and its consequences. Fred Kaan reminds us how “hate and war diminish humankind”, and asks God to help us in striving for peace. There is recognition for those who do serve in time of war, and we ask God to help us comfort those who mourn. But ultimately in the final verse we seek the strength to forsake power, and seek peace as the way to restore our world.

The tune “Lavendon” is a gentle, introspective tune befitting the contemplative words. Ditto the suggested alternative, “Sursum Corda”.

The prolific Graham Kendrick has written this prayer for the downtrodden in society. He names many of the ills in society, and in the refrain he encapsulates the prayer that we as a people may increase in compassion. But it is in verse 4 where he really gets to the bone – “Lord, and our madness, carelessness, greed; make us content with the things that we need”; and in verse 5 when we ask God to “lighten our darkness……..until your justice burns brightly again”.

Like all of Graham Kendrick’s tunes, this one is bright and singable. Sometimes a little bit too jaunty for the sentiments, but it makes for a good, hearty sing.

These 3 verses make statements such as “all the sleepy should have a place to sleep”, and each finishes with questions – “Does not every child of God deserve a home? Some peace? Some care?” The refrain is a reminder that with God’s grace and power we can each “be the hands of God”.

The delightful ballad tune “Pitney” appropriately goes from the minor key in the questioning verse to the major key in the solution refrain.