The hymn writer, Oxford educated Anglican priest John Keble (1792-1866), intended this text to be read as poetry, not sung. It was part of a 16-verse poem entitled “Morning,” which began, “Hues of the rich unfolding morn . . . .” It was in his book, The Christian Year (1827), a book of poems for the Sundays and feast days of the church year. At first, the book was anonymous, but when Keble was appointed to the Chair of Poetry at Oxford, his authorship became known. One scholar called The Christian Year the most popular book of poetry in the 19th century. The book was indeed a bestseller. It helped pay for the renovation of Keble’s parish church.
Keble was one of the influential people in the Oxford Movement. It is said that his famous Assize sermon at Oxford in 1833 was the beginning of the Oxford Movement. Keble College, Oxford, was founded in his memory.
This hymn is about gratitude. It is based mainly on Lamentations 3:23 (His compassions, they fail not, they are new every morning). It also reminds us to sanctify the ordinary. If we pay attention, even our daily work and routines can offer opportunities that draw us closer to God. In Genesis 18, when Abraham and Sarah offered hospitality to the three strangers, they entertained angels unaware. In Genesis 22, when Isaac asked his father where was the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham replied, “God will provide.” And we all know the story: God did indeed provide. The last two lines are particularly powerful, indeed, a sermon/prayer: Help us, this and every day, to live more nearly as we pray.
The hymn tune is KEDRON, an early American shape note tune by Elkanah Kelsay Dare (1782-1826). It appeared first in The United States’ Sacred Harmony, published in Charleston in 1799, with a text by Charles Wesley, Thou man of grief remember me. However, the version in our hymnbook comes from Southern Harmony, published in 1835. The name, KEDRON, refers to the Brook of Kedron, which is between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. In John 18:1, we read that Jesus went with his disciples over the Brook Kedron to the Garden of Gethsemane.
Our Hymnal 1982 uses this same tune with a Holy Week text, Sunset to Sunrise Changes Now H1982 No. 163. We will look forward to singing it on Good Friday.
— Carolyn Parmenter, Music Director
