Let Justice Sing: Hymnody and Justice(American Essays in Liturgy)

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. "

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