In an earlier post I made reference to Isaac Watts being remembered as the “Father of English Hymnody” – today we honor Erik Routley known by many as the driving force behind the “Hymn Explosion” of the 1970s.
Following is a brief biographical sketch for Routley:
ERIK REGINALD ROUTLEY (1917-1982), was a scholar and an authority with keen insight, wit, grace and style. Pastor, musician and hymn writer in his own right, he was the catalyst for much that helped produce “The Hymn Explosion” of the 1970s. His influence as an editor, beginning with Congregational Praise (1951), Dunblane Praise (1962), Cantate Domino (1968), New Church Praise (1972), Ecumenical Praise (1977), and Rejoice in the Lord (1985), was profound.
Dr. Routley was born in Brighton, England, on 31 October 1917, four hundred years exactly (give or take eleven days for the new style calender) after Martin Luther nailed his theses to the church door at Wittenburg. Erik once said that this was the only autobiographical fact about himself of which he was proud. His degrees were all from Oxford where his widow, Margaret, now resides.
His move to Princeton, New Jersey, in 1975 as Professor of Church Music at Westminster Choir College helped export the fruits of the British hymn explosion, which significantly influenced hymnals and hymn singing in the United States during the last quarter of the twentieth century. His lectures, filled with delightful humor, were lucid, informative and rich in the understanding of a specialized subject important to all who love and sing hymns and psalms. His lasting influence as a theologian of music, and mentor to American church musicians, cannot be underestimated.
Dr. Routley deserves full credit for halting the dreary practice of singing “Amen” at the end of each hymn sung in American churches. A collection of his texts and tunes was published in 1990 under the title Our Lives Be Praise (Hope Publishing Company). Two of his texts have become standard fare in all new hymnals. They are “All Who Love and Serve Your City” and “New Songs of Celebration Render.” Dr. Routley has seven hymn credits in The Hymnal 1982.
My earlier post about Isaac Watts included a story about a metrical setting of Psalm 98. Today we offer another metrical setting of this same Psalm from the pen of Dr. Routley in 1972. This text is paired with a sixteenth century tune by Louis Bourgeois in the 1990 Presbyterian Hymnal.
New songs of celebration render to God who has great wonders done;
Love sits enthroned in ageless splendor; come and adore the mighty One.
God has made known the great salvation which all the saints with joy confess.
God has revealed to every nation truth and unending righteousness.
Joyfully, heartily resounding, let every instrument and voice
Peal out the praise of grace abounding, calling the whole world to rejoice.
Trumpets and organs, set in motion such sounds as make the heavens ring;
All things that live in earth and ocean, sound forth the song, your praises bring.
Rivers and seas and torrents roaring, honor the Lord with wild acclaim;
Mountains and stones, look up adoring, and find a voice to praise God’s name.
Righteous, commanding, ever glorious, praises be sung that never cease:
Just is our God, whose truth victorious establishes the world in peace.
Copyright © 1974 by Hope Publishing Company.
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