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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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
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.
Review :
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
