Praise the God of all creation

Church of the Good Shepherd, Mytholmroyd
(C) Stephen Craven 2021

Today’s song from Sing Praise is another in the series of Gospel chants, “Praise the God of all creation” by the American composer Marty Haugen. It shares with the other Gospel chants in the book the format of a congregational ‘alleluia’ (which in this instance is fleshed out – pun intended – with the words “Praise the Word of Truth and Life!”) and a series of chants for the cantor.  There are four such chants here, with the suggestion that just one is used in the context of a gospel acclamation, or all four can be used to form a more conventional, though fairly short, hymn.

God is here addressed in each of the four chants by one of the many titles for him in the Bible: the first, “Praise the God of all creation, mercy and compassion” would be suitable for a service focussing on the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) as these are some of the characteristics of God revealed from ancient times.

The second, “Tree of life and endless wisdom, be our root, our growth and glory” compasses, in a sense, the whole of the Bible, since the tree of life features both in the Garden of Eden story in Genesis and in the eternal city of Revelation. But there are many other references in the Bible to trees, often representing ideas such as a close relationship with God (as in Psalm 1, where the person who trusts in God is like a tree beside a stream drawing nourishment from its water) or stability.  The reference to ‘root’ may also hint at Jesus as coming from the ‘root of Jesse’ (Isaiah 11:1).

The third, “Living water, we are thirsting for the life that you have promised” focusses more clearly on Jesus who promised a thirsty and ostracised woman that he could give her living water, that is life with him and filled with his Spirit that is always satisfying inwardly, no matter how difficult our outward circumstances.

Lastly, another title for Jesus, “Gentle shepherd, you who know us, call us all into your presence”. Tomorrow is marked in the Catholic church as “Good Shepherd Sunday” – which is why I have chosen a photo I took today of a church of that name.  The good shepherd, said Jesus, is one who lays down his life for the sheep, as he laid down his life for all who will follow him.