Tune My Heart to Sing Your Praise: The Re-tuned hymn (and psalm!) movement in the context of the broader culture

When Kevin Twit and RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) began setting historic hymn texts to new tunes, who knew it would grow into a movement with contributions from Indelible Grace, Sojourn Music, BiFrost and others? And who knew that in Europe a similar approach would rejuvenate singing the Psalms? Several leaders in this movement  discussed the cultural background, perform examples of their own songs, and discuss the future of this movement. We gave special attention to ways of using this repertoire in the local church.

Hosted by Greg Scheer and James K.A. Smith, and presented by Bruce Benedict, Sandra McCracken, Kevin Twit, Eelco Vos, and Isaac Wardell.

Program

Greg: welcome

Jamie: cultural context of “Young, Restless, and Reformed”

The early songs/Understanding the movement

• Kevin
  • Thou Lovely Source of True Delight
  • Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
• Sandra
  • Rock of Ages (tune: TOPLADY)
  • Rock of Ages (James Ward)
  • Rock of Ages/When the Day Seems Long (McCracken/Twit, two versions)
• Bruce
  • Come, Holy Ghost
  • Psalm 120: Thou God of Love, Thou Ever-Blest (two versions)
• Isaac
  • Come, O Spirit!
  • Veiled in Darkness Judah Lay (tune: ABERYSTWYTH)
  • Watchman, Tell Us (tune: ABERYSTWYTH)
• Eelco
  • Praise Is Your Right, O God, in Zion (tune: GENEVAN 65)
  • Psalm 72 (tune: GENEVAN 65)

Recent developments/Naming the dangers

• Kevin
  • In the Hours
• Sandra
  • In Feast or Fallow
• Bruce
  • Come, Thou Everlasting Spirit
• Isaac
  • Psalm 126
• Eelco
• Psalm 134 (tune: OLD HUNDREDTH)
  • You Servants of the Lord Our God (tune: OLD HUNDREDTH)

Jamie: conclusion

Learn More

• Download the seminar handout in PDF format
• View the most up-to-date list of links for this seminar