Life of Ages
Hymn composed by
Justin Heinrich KnechtContextual information
When the Hymnbook Resources Commission compiled hymns for Singing the Living Tradition, published in 1993, they made many choices that were prophetically expansive and inclusive. That included suggesting substitutions for traditional terms like "God."
Although Samuel Johnson wrote "love of God" in his 1864 "Life of Ages," the Commission offered the alternative phrase "love for all." We're incorporating that 1993 suggestion into Sing Out Love, and trust worship leaders to choose the option that best meets their congregation's needs.
When the Hymnbook Resources Commission compiled hymns for Singing the Living Tradition, published in 1993, they made many choices that were prophetically expansive and inclusive. That included suggesting substitutions for traditional terms like "God."
Although Samuel Johnson wrote "love of God" in his 1864 "Life of Ages," the Commission offered the alternative phrase "love for all." We're incorporating that 1993 suggestion into Sing Out Love, and trust worship leaders to choose the option that best meets their congregation's needs.
Tune Name
VIENNA
Tune Name
Text Meter
7.7.7.7.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Justin Heinrich KnechtHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Lyricist Background information
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
Life of ages, richly poured, love of God, unspent and free,
flowing in the prophet’s word and the people’s liberty -
Never was to chosen race that unstinted tide confined;
yours is every time and place, fountain sweet of heart and mind.
Breathing in the thinker’s creed, pulsing in the hero’s blood,
nerving simplest thought and deed, freshening time with truth and good,
Consecrating art and song, holy book and pilgrim way,
quelling floods of tyrant wrong, widening freedom’s sacred sway.
Life of ages, richly poured, love of God, unspent and free,
flow still in the prophet’s word and the people’s liberty!
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files