I wrote this for Thanksgiving in 2013 when our table included those born in the USA, Iraq, Korea, and Ethiopia. With Christians, Muslims, and “nones” united, we sang the Doxology together as a common prayer for peace and justice in the world.
Some congregations and families are starting to use my “Doxology for Humanity” when lighting their Advent candles during the season of Advent. They are using one verse each Sunday.
Praise life that makes us change and grow
Praise love that makes compassion flow
Praise peace that ends all strife and fear
Praise hands that work for justice here
Praise ears that hear the children’s cries
Praise truth that counters cruel lies
Praise hearts that value human worth
Praise lives that build a better earth
Praise eyes that see all human need
Praise minds that cast out selfish greed
Praise lips that challenge those in power
Praise those who struggle every hour
Praise faith that keeps us ever strong
Praise hope that triumphs over wrong
Praise dreams that make our spirits rise
Praise voices raised in joyful cries
© 2013 Kurt Struckmeyer
Music: either Old Hundredth: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” or the Tallis Canon.
I attempted to make sample recordings of both melodies. Since I have limited resources I used AI (artificial intelligence ). I instructed the Suno software to create a small chior (SATB) and accompany the voices with piano and string trio (violin, viola, and cello). The result is what you will hear. They pretty much stuck to the melodies except for the third verse where they go a little wild. But you will get the gist.
Old Hundredth
Tallis Canon
Permission is freely given for congregational use. Simply include the copyright and mention the website: followingjesus.org.
May I use these in worship at my church?
Definitely! That is what I hoped for when I wrote the lyrics. Anyone has my permission to use it if they include my copyright and mention the followingjesus.org website. A church in southern California plans to use it as an offertory hymn for the next several weeks.
I will use it too – thanks for the permission! Harcourt United Church, ON Canada.
Very powerful.
I am not a gifted liturgy-writer, but would love to see if someone could take and write a litany using these phrases between spoken words.
Is there a recording of this beautiful doxology being sung?
Unfortunately no.
Now there is. Check out the page again and you will hear them.