Music to glorify God for all his works is a wonder both to hear and to perform. Music set to solid hymn texts takes that artistry to a higher level. Without faithful and well-crafted hymn texts such height is unattainable. It is in this light that one should consider the hymn texts and music by Robin D. Fish, Jr.
Useful Hymns (UH) and Bountiful Hymns (BH) are largely organized according to the Church Year, UH around the one-year lectionary; BH around the three-year lectionary. Edifying Hymns is primarily based on daily meditation and concerns. Each book includes topical hymns. Some topics are akin to what one would find in a typical Lutheran hymnal; some are specific to certain occasions and maladies. The topical hymns could serve well as an optional resource for pastoral theology classes as they sing about theology where it meets the life of Christians.
Although one could improve the organization of the church year hymns by arranging the hymns that fit for a whole season with the appropriate season, overall these hymns preach and sing gloriously. One might also arrange the hymns by different authors (e.g., John Kleinig and Alan Kornacki, Jr.) under the corresponding season or topic rather than in separate sections of the book.
The final lines of the first stanza of the Dedication Hymn in UH are a litmus test to the collection in its entirety, as well as to all hymnody:
Breathe into us a reverent song,
And hold it back from speaking wrong;
Help us to frame Thy praise aright!
Draw those who hear it to Thy light! (UH, 1)
Some of these theologically and sacramentally rich hymns should find inclusion in future Lutheran hymnals.
Thomas E. Lock
Assistant Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church
Denver, Colorado