Music of the Month: In the Water, In the Word

Composer James Biery presents eight stunning settings to adorn the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with grace and gusto with In the Water, In the Word. A thrilling toccata on ES IST DAS HEIL sounds difficult but falls under the fingers with relative ease. Several tunes that have come into popularity more recently are treated, including BACHOFEN, DENBY, FATHER WELCOMES, and FILTER. Every tune also includes a fresh harmonization to be used with congregational singing, often tailored for use with the final stanza.

The Genre of Baptismal Hymns

Lutheran Service Book expanded on the genre of baptismal hymns among the lineage of Lutheran hymnals. LSB contains two sections on Baptism: one titled “Holy Baptism” (LSB 590–593), and one titled “Baptismal Life” (LSB 594–605).

Given the emphasis on Baptism in Lutheran theology, it’s fitting that LSB took a refocused approach to treating baptismal hymnody. Many of these hymns are newer to Lutherans, either because they were more recently written or because they were only recently uncovered.

What’s Old Is New

For example, “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It” (LSB 594) was written by a German Lutheran, Erdmann Neumeister, in the early eighteenth century, but it was only translated into English in 1991 and first appeared in American Lutheran hymnals with the publication of Hymnal Supplement 98. As you know and have likely witnessed, it’s become beloved and synonymous with Lutheran baptismal theology in just a few short decades.

Another baptismal hymn that is centuries old but was only recently translated to English for American Lutheran hymnals is “All Christians Who Have Been Baptized” (LSB 596). The author is the renowned Paul Gerhardt, who lived in the seventeenth century. But LSB was the first American hymnal to feature it in English. Wisely paired with the familiar Reformation-era tune NUN FREUT EUCH, the “new-to-you” text has been easily accessible the last two decades.

Modern Baptismal Hymns

An example of a modern baptismal hymn that was inaugurated in LSB is “The Gifts Christ Freely Gives” (LSB 602). Written by Richard Resch (b. 1947), the hymn is featured in the “Baptismal Life” section of LSB, and you can quickly see why. The hymn begins with baptismal language and imagery (stanzas 1 and 2), but it proceeds to illustrate the life of a redeemed and sanctified Christian living out life as a baptized member of Christ.

The third stanza turns to confession and absolution, while the fourth highlights the gift of God’s Word. The fifth stanza narrows in on the Sacrament of the Altar. In total, the hymn extrapolates the meaning of Holy Baptism: Through the gifts of confession and absolution, Holy Scripture, and Christ’s body and blood, the Christian returns daily to Baptism to receive forgiveness.

“I Bind unto Myself Today”

“I Bind unto Myself Today” first appeared in American Lutheran hymnals with the publication of Lutheran Worship in 1982, and it was retained in LSB (604). The text is a paraphrase of portions of the St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer, which dates to the fifth century. The hymn paraphrase we sing in English wasn’t translated until the nineteenth century.

The sturdy text and Irish tune make for a thrilling combination. Biery’s prelude on the hymn in this collection is a Menuet Gothique—meaning “Gothic Minuet”—a stately dance in 3/4 meter.

The piece begins with a galvanizing ritornello before the melody enters in the tenor octave. The melody can be featured with a strong solo reed or a combination of stops that contains a reed so that it cuts through the accompanying voices.

Using This Collection

In addition to a distinctive prelude on the eight baptismal hymn tunes, Biery has included an alternate harmonization for each. When one of these hymns is sung in the church service, organists will have both a prelude and a harmonization to use from this collection.

Many of these hymns are opportune at various times throughout the Church Year, but they are also fitting whenever a Baptism occurs during a service.

Play this collection of Baptism settings throughout the year by ordering In the Water, In the Word below.