Hymn of the Week: July 13, 2020

When We Are Living 
Somos del Senor    
       
#822 in Glory to God Hymnal

Stanza 1 anonymous;
Translated, Elise S. Eslinger, 1983
Stanzas 2-4, Robert Escamilla, 1983;
Translated, George Lockwood, 1987

When We Are Living
When we are living, it is in Christ Jesus,
And when we’re dying, it is in the Lord.
Both in our living, and in our dying,
We belong to God; we belong to God.

Through all our living, we our fruits must give.
Good works of service are our offering.
When we are giving, or when receiving,
We belong to God; we belong to God.

‘Mid times of sorrow and in times of pain,
When sensing beauty or in love’s embrace,
Whether we suffer, or sing rejoicing,
We belong to God; We belong to God.

Across this wide world, we shall always find
Those who are crying with no peace of mind.
But when we help them, or when we feed them,
We belong to God; we belong to God.
 This gentle Mexican? hymn has become a favorite of denominations all over the world. The message is simple and straightforward but how it came to be is in much dispute. A quick trip through the web will show you many different takes and translations of this hymn.

What we know for certain is that the text is inspired by Romans 14:8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

The meaning is clear. Whether we live or die we belong to God. What an amazing assurance.

Enjoy this arrangement by Joel Raney, beautifully performed by Devyn Sowry, flute; and Philip Everingham, piano.