479. Proper 7 (Series C)

The lessons for this Sunday (June 19-25) are Isaiah 65:1-9, Galatians 3:23-4:7 and Luke 8:26-39. The tune is INTERCESSOR by C. Hubert H. Parry (†1918), which LBW paired with "O God, send heralds who will never falter." With this hymn I've used three of his tunes just in this three-year-lectionary hymn project; the wondrous discovery that his work is in the public domain has clearly gone to my head. I tried to touch on all three lessons in this hymn, but it's clearly weighted toward the Epistle.

O living God, though oft dead idols' luster
Outshines Your glory in the people's eyes,
Do not destroy the new wine in the cluster:
Have mercy! Let a faithful remnant rise!

O righteous God, whose law Your children guarded
Until redemption's hour had come of age,
Let not the outpoured blood go unregarded
Of Him You sent all justice to assuage.

The vintage of Your wrath indeed He trampled,
But also drank until the cup was dry.
Clothe us in Him, whose righteousness is ample,
Till all the baptized "Abba, Father!" cry.

Now we are freed from elemental powers:
No longer slaves, O Lord, but sons and heirs.
Now planted in Your promises, there flowers
A lively vine that Jesus' rootstock shares.

Feed us through Him a fear that will not flee You;
A love that jealousy will not make sour;
A faith that thrives, though but in hope we see You,
Till fruitfully we meet the harvest hour.