Let Justice Sing: Hymnody and Justice

by Paul Westermeyer Ph.D.

Overview

Justice has been an urgent concern of twentieth-century hymn writers, but are they the first to place such an emphasis on it? In Let Justice Sing, Paul Westermeyer offers an answer with the hope that it will stimulate dialogue, future studies, and an understanding of the past that can be applied to the present.

Let Justice Sing explores the content, context, and importance of justice within the warp and woof" of hymnody. By analyzing these aspects and past hymnic repertoires, it suggests to the Church and others who wish to join the moral deliberation it presumes, that not only have Christians always sung about justice, but the message transcends the messengers.

The perspective and dialogue fostered by Let Justice Sing is directed to students in college or seminary courses where hymnody, Church music, or ethics is the topic; adults in forums or classes where questions about music and justice arise; and anyone with an interest in hymnody, justice, or the relationship between the two.

Chapters are "Content: The Twentieth Century": "Content: Before the Twentieth Century, I"; "Content: Before the Twentieth Century, II"; "Context"; and "Hymnody and Justice."

Paul Westermeyer, PhD, is Professor of Church Music at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He teaches, directs music, and administers a master of sacred music degree program with St. Olaf College. His writing includes numerous articles and books.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814625057
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	07/01/1998
Series:	American Essays in Liturgy
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.29(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Paul Westermeyer, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Church Music at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, where he taught, directed music, and administered a master of sacred music degree program with St. Olaf College. Previously he taught at Elmhurst College for twenty-two years. A former editor of The Hymn and national chaplain of the American Guild or Organists, from 1996 to 1998 he served as the president-elect of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.  His writing includes many articles, The Church Musician, and With Tongues of Fire. 

Table of Contents

Contents
Abbreviations   7
Introduction   9
1.  Content: The Twentieth Century   11
       Theme of Justice   11
          Hymn Writers   11
          Communities and Groups   14
       Hymnals and Hymnal Committees   15
       Justice and Twentieth-Century Christians   17
       Justice   18
       Can We Sing It?   22
       Justice Omitted   15
       Taking God's Place   26
2.  Content: Before the Twentieth Century, I   28
       The Psalms   28
          As They Stand in the Bible   28
          In Metrical Versions   31
            The Seventeenth Century   31
               Tate and Brady   31
            The Eighteenth Century   33
               Watts   33
               Excursus   34
            A Case Study   38
            Psalm 23   39
            Canticles   39
            "Hymns" of the Mass   40
            Greek Hymnody   42
            Latin Hymnody   44
3.  Content: Before the Twentieth Century, II   38
            The Sixteenth Century   48
               Luther   48
            The Eighteenth Century   52
               A Case Study   52
               Wesley   57
               Excursus   62
            The Nineteenth Century   65
               Catherine Winkworth   65
               John Mason Neale   67
               White Gospel Hymnody   70
     African American Spirituals   74
     Summary   80
4.  Context   81
     Worship   81
     Beauty and Need   85
     Physical Things   87
     Music   88
     Sentimentality   90
     Counter-Cultural Issues   91
     Subtlety   92
     Specificity   92
5.  Hymnody and Justice   95
     Violence and Being Silenced   96
     Song, Justice, and Health   97
     Does Justice Sing?   100
     The Whole   102
     The Practical Reality   107
Bibliography   111

Editorial Reviews

This work is informed by careful, critical thought, rooted in a theology of the cross, and sensitive to the challenges faced by musicians, pastors, and congregations as they seek to sing justice in a complex, pluralistic age. Mindful of the Scylla of a private piety and the Charybdis of a political agenda, Westermeyer helps us steer a course which, by staying close to Word and Sacrament, thrusts us into the world for which Christ died, not only to sing justice, but to do it. This is an important book on a critical subject and should serve the church well.
Robert A. Hausman


In this important work, Paul Westermeyer uncovers the hidden history of justice in pre-modern hymnody ancient, Reformation, ethnic and evangelical. He also astutely examines current justice concerns in worship and hymns with a discerning eye for the difference between the prophetic and the ideological. Especially perceptive is his discussion of inclusive language issues, one that strives to integrate the justice mandate with doctrinal fidelity. A rich resource for clergy, congregations, seminary students and musicians.
Gabriel Fackre, Abbot Professor of Christian Theology Emeritus, Andover Newton Theological School


Paul Westermeyer leads us into a wonderful exploration of deeper things - is it possible to be a follower of Christ and not have justice sing?
Dave Cherwien


Both pastors and musicians need to take up anew the responsibility to witness for justice. The book would make a wonderful catalyst for our rededication to this task.
The American Organist

From the Publisher