Singing Scripture

Suggestions for singing the readings for Advent and Christmas

Updated April, 2025

Singing Scripture has always been a cherished part of Reformed worship. In fact, most of the early Reformed Christians limited their singing to scriptural texts, concentrating on the psalms. John Calvin himself said, "Singing (the psalms) we may be sure that our words come from God just as if he were to sing in us for his own exaltation."

Since Calvin's time, the practice of singing Scripture has been maintained in Reformed churches through the use of a variety of metrical Psalters published first in Scotland, England, the Netherlands, France, and Hungary—and later in North America. Today some Reformed churches continue to sing exclusively scriptural texts (the Reformed Presbyterian Church in North America, for example) while others have nearly abandoned the tradition, often ignoring even the rejuvenated Psalm sections of recent hymnals.

Yet several reasons commend reinvigorating the practice of singing Scripture today. For one, singing Scripture focuses our attention on God's Word, capturing both the text and the mood of a given scriptural passage. As Reformed Christians, our worship centers around the Word of God as it is read and preached.

For another, choosing to sing scriptural songs sensitizes us to remain faithful to God's Word in our church music. The more we sing scriptural texts, the more leery we become of trite and unfaithful texts, and the more appreciative we become of poets who capture anew the power of a biblical image or theme in a new hymn or song. In this regard, special care must be given to choose musical settings that do justice to the context of a given biblical text.

For yet another, singing Scripture is a practice that every congregation is capable of joining in. The following listings, for example, include both ancient chants and contemporary African-American gospel psalm refrains, both large-scale choral settings and intimate settings for a single voice, both Genevan metrical settings and contemporary hymns. Singing Scripture is possible in every musical dialect.

Finally, singing the songs of Scripture has immense devotional value. It is a poignant way of putting us in touch with the many emotions and aspirations of the scriptural writers. Singing Scripture is also the surest way to memorize Scripture, to write the words of Scripture on our hearts. Think of the memory of many an aged saint whose childhood efforts to memorize the Psalter allowed him or her to sing Psalms long after the faculty of reading had faded.

The following list provides suggestions for singing the passages of Scripture found in Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent and Christmas. While many congregations may choose to sing only the psalms, musical settings for the other passages are suggested as well to aid in planning other aspects of the service. Since the Lectionary passages follow themes intrinsic to the Advent and Christmas seasons, congregations who do not follow the Lectionary will nevertheless be able to draw from this list.

The suggestions are grouped according to the following genres:

  • Metrical Settings are poetic recastings of the biblical text. They retain as much of the literal biblical text as possible, allowing for variation in order to maintain regular meter and rhyme. They most often are set to hymn tunes.
  • Responsorial Settings use the literal text of the Bible. They are often accompanied by an antiphon or refrain, which usually consists of one line of music that articulates the central theme of the text. The words "antiphon" and "refrain" are often used interchangeably. They are sometimes distinguished by reserving antiphon ("sung before") for a longer response that is only sung twice, before and after a given Scripture passage. The word refrain then appropriately refers to a shorter response that is sung not only before and after, but that is interspersed throughout the Scripture text. While the congregation may sing the entire text, a choir or soloist is often used to sing the scriptural text (see "Hymn of the Month"), with the congregation responding by singing the suggested refrain (thus the term "responsorial").
  • The Congregational Antiphons are suggestions for possible responsorial settings of the listed Scripture passages. They are one line of text and music that capture the central theme of a given passage. The antiphons can be used as a refrain by the congregation, choir, or soloist after a given passage is read or sung (see an example in the February "Hymn of the Month").
  • Choral Settings and Vocal Solo Settings use literal biblical texts, though some allow for minor rearrangement of the text for musical purposes.
  • The suggested Related Hymns and Scripture Songs are not settings of the given scriptural text but do relate to the theme or use a key image suggested by a text. Some of these hymns or Scripture songs may be used as a congregational antiphon, as described above. Choral arrangements and concertatos based on these hymns are also listed for many of the selections.

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 2:1–5

Congregational Antiphon

"Crown him the Lord of peace; his kingdom is at hand."
["Crown Him with Many Crowns," (st. 3, first line) Bridges]

Related Hymns

Behold the Mountain of the LordBruce and Logan
Christ Is the World's True LightBriggs
"Crown Him with Many CrownsBridges
[concertatos by Walter Pelz (Augsburg), Richard Proulx (Augsburg), S. Drummond Wolff (Concordia)]
"O God of Every NationReid
"O God of Love, O King of PeaceBaker
"Today We All Are Called to Be DisciplesCarmichael

Psalm 122

Metrical Settings

"I Was Glad They Came to Call MeSeerveld
"O 'Twas a Joyful Sound to HearTate and Brady’s New Version
"With Joy I Heard My Friends ExclaimBoyce

Responsorial Settings

Celebration Psalter, p. 94
"I Rejoiced When I Heard Them," Joseph B Smith
[G.I.A. G-2775]
"Let Us Go Rejoicing," Haugen
[in Psalms for Oie Church Year Vol. I]
"Psalm for Advent"
[Lead Me, Guide Me, p. 503]
Psalm Refrains, Hopson, pp. 2, 7

Congregational Antiphon:

"I Will Enter His Gates," Leona Von Brethorst
[Maranatha Praise, 197 (Maranatha! Music)]

Choral Settings

"I Was Glad When They Said to Me," Richard Hillert
[Concordia 97-5545]
"I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me," James Engel (SATB)
[Concordia 11-4677]
"I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me," C. Hubert Parry
[H.W. Gray CMR 2404]

Related Hymn

"Gladly to God's Holy TempleRoutley 

Related Scripture Song

"I Will Enter His Gates," Leona Von Brethorst
[Maranatha Praise, 197 (Maranatha! Music)]

Romans 13:11–14

Choral Setting

"Rejoice, O Jerusalem, Behold Thy King Cometh," Healey Willan
[Concordia 98-1506]

Related Hymns

"Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding5th cent. Latin hymn
[SATB descant in Hymns pr Clwirs, Willcocks (Oxford)]
"Lo! I Come with JoyWesley
"Wake, Awake, for Night Is FlyingNicolai and Winkworth
[choral settings by Bach/John Rutter (Oxford, Carols for Choirs 2)]

Matthew 24:36–44

Choral Settings

"Jesus Christ Is the Way", Walter Hawkins
"Let Your Eye Be to the Lord," Daniel Moe
[Augsburg 11-0544]

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 11:1–10

Congregational Antiphon

Refrain of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel12th cent. Latin hymn

Choral Settings

"Fanfares," Daniel Pinkham
[E.C. Schirmer 4209]
"The Peaceable Kingdom," Dolores Hruby (unison)
[Concordia 98-2098]

Related Hymns

"Eternal God, Whose Power UpholdsTweedy
"Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of OldPatterson
"Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming15th cent. German hymn
[choral settings by Hugo Distler (Concordia), Alf Houkom (Concordia), Robert Sholz (Morning Star), and Roy Zimmerman (Shawnee)]
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel12th cent. Latin hymn
[choral setting by John Rutter (Oxford)]
"O Day of PeaceDaw

Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19

Metrical Setting

"Hail to the Lord's AnointedMontgomery
[concertato by Roy Hopp (CRC Publications)]

Responsorial Settings

Celebration Psalter, p. 48
"Every Nation on Earth Will Adore You," Haugen
[Psalms for the Church Year, Vol. I]
"Justice Shall Flourish" Anonymous
"Psalm for Epiphany"
[Lead Me, Guide Me, p. 506]
Psalm Refrains, Hopson, pp. 5, 9

Choral Setting

"Hail to the Lord's Anointed," Seth Bingham
[Flammer 84910]

Related Hymns

"Christ Shall Have Dominion" Anonymous
"Jesus Shall ReignWatts
[anthem by S. Drummond Wolff (Morning Star), concertato by James Engel (Augsburg)]
"O God, Your Judgments Give the KingScottish Psalter, 1650

Related Scripture Song

"Jesus Is Our King," Sherrell Prebble and Howard Clark

Romans 15:4–13

Related Hymns

"God Is in His TempleTersteegen
"Hope of the WorldHarkness

Matthew 3:1–12

Related Hymns

"On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's CryCoffin
[choral setting with alternate text by Willcocks in Carols for Choirs II (Oxford)]
"Wild and Lone the Prophet's VoiceDaw

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 35:1–10

Metrical Setting

"The Desert Shall RejoiceGrindal

Choral Settings

"Springs in the Desert," Arthur Jennings
[H.W. Gray CMR 580]
The Wilderness,” Samuel Sebastian Wesley
[Novello 290599]

Vocal Settings

"The Ransomed of the Lord," Don Humphreys
[in Sing to the Lord (Willis)]
"The Ransomed of the Lord," James MacDermid
[Forster]
"The Wilderness," Eric Thiman
[Novello]

Related Hymns

"Hail to the Brightness of Zion's Glad MorningHastings
"Ten Thousand Times Ten ThousandAlford

Psalm 146:5–10

Metrical Settings

"I'll Praise My MakerWatts
"Psalm 146: Praise the Lord! Sing Hallelujah!Psalter, 1887
(alt. text)

Responsorial Settings

Celebration Psalter, p. 106

"Psalm 146: I Will Praise My God"

"Praise the Lord, My Soul," Rory Cooney
[in Psalms for the Church Year, Vol. IV]

"Praise the Lord, O My Soul," Michael Sullivan
[G.I.A. G-2370]

Psalm Refrains, Hopson, pp. 2, 7

Choral Settings

"A Song of Hope," Raymond Haan (unison)
[AMSI 280]
[or, in place of the psalm, sing the Song of Mary, Luke 1:47–55 (see here)]

James 5:7–10

Related Hymn

Be Still, My Soul” von Schlegel

Matthew 11:2–11

Choral Setting

"Go and Tell John," Lloyd Pfautsch
[available in SATB, SAB, TTBB, and SSA from Hope Publishing Company]

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT

Isaiah 7:10–16

Related Hymn

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel12th cent. Latin hymn
[see earlier choral settings]

Related Scripture Song

"Emmanuel," Boby McGee
[Maranatha Praise, 16 (Maranatha! Music)]

Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19

Metrical Settings

"Hear Us, O Shepherd of Your Chosen RacePolman
"O Hear Our Cry, O LordAnderson
"O Thou Who the Shepherd of Israel Art" Associate Reformed Presbyterian Psalter, 1931

Responsorial Settings

Celebration Psalter, p. 52

"Lord, Make Us Turn to You," Haugen
[in Psalms for the Church Year, Vol. II]

Congregational Antiphon

Refrain of "Protect Me, God: I Trust in YouSaward

Choral Setting

"Matin Responsory" Palestrina (adapted)
[in Carols for Choirs II (Oxford University Press)]

Vocal Settings

"Psalm 79," Daniel Pinkham
[Composers Facsimile Edition]

Romans 1:1–7

Related Hymn

"God of the ProphetsWortman
[settings by Paul Bunjes (Concordia) and James Engel (Augsburg)]

Matthew 1:18–25

Vocal Settings

"Behold, A Virgin Shall Be With Child," John La Montaine
[in Songs of the Nativity (H.W Gray)]

"Christmas Prophecy" Bob Burroughs
[in New Testament Songs (Hope Publishing 501)]

Related Hymn

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel12th cent. Latin hymns
[see earlier choral settings]

CHRISTMAS DAY

Isaiah 9:2–7

Metrical Setting

"The People Who in Darkness WalkedMorison

Congregational Antiphon

Refrain of “Arise, Shine, for Your Light Is ComeLoden

Choral Settings

"Great Light," James Fritschel 
[Hinshaw HMC-147]

"Unto Us A Child is Born," Healey Willian
[in We Praise Thee, Part I (Concordia 97-7564)]

Vocal Settings "The People That Walked in Darkness,"Lillian V Klass
[Transcontinental Press]

Related Hymns

"Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Lightvon Rist
"Christ Is the World's True LightBriggs
"O God of Every NationReid
"The Race That Long in Darkness PinedMorison
"To Us a Child of Hope is BornBruce and Morison

Psalm 96

Metrical Settings

"Sing to the LORD, Sing His Praise"
[anthem settings by Dale Grotenhuis (Dordt College)]
"O Sing a New Song to the LordAnonymous

Responsorial Settings

Celebration Psalter, 70
"O Sing a New SongWright 
"Proclaim to All the Nations," Haas, Haugen
[in Psalms for the Church Year, Vol. III]
"Psalm for Christmas"
[Lead Me, Guide Me, 504]
Psalm Refrains, Hopson, pp. 10, 13
"Today is Born Our Savior," Haugen
[in Psalms for the Church Year Vol. II]

Choral Settings

"Let the Whole Earth Stand in Awe," G.F. Handel/Hines (SAB)
[Concordia 98-2473]
"Psalm 96," Wilbur Held (SAB)
[in Seasonal Psalms for Congregation and Choir (Augsburg 11-9376)]

Related Hymns

"Joy to the WorldWatts
[setting by John Rutter (Hinshaw)]
"Let All The World in Every Corner SingHerbert
"Our God is Mighty, Worthy Of All PraisingClarkson

Titus 2:11–14

Related Hymns

"Christ Is Coming!MacDuff
"I Greet My Sure Redeemer and My KingFrench Psalter, 1545 
"I Will Sing of My RedeemerBliss

Metrical Settings

"From Heaven Above to Earth I ComeLuther
"While Shepherds Watched Their FlocksTate

Choral Setting

"The Christmas Gospel," Martin Mayer
[in Third Morning Star Choir Book (Concordia 97-4972)]

Vocal Settings

Christmas Story, Heinrich Schutz
[Coburn Press (G. Schirmer)]
"There Were Shepherds," George E Handel
[from Messiah (Carl Fischer, G. Schirmer, Novello)]

Related Hymns

"Christians, AwakeByrom
"It Came Upon the Midnight ClearSears
"Sheep Fast AsleepMiwa
"The Prophets Came to IsraelWitvoet
"While Shepherds Watched Their FlocksTate

Related Scripture Song

"Glory to GodTrinity Psalter Hymnal, 1987

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Isaiah 63:7–9

Related Hymns

"Awake, My Soul, in Joyful LaysMedley
"Praise, My Soul, the King of HeavenLyte

Congregational Antiphon

"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord."
["I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord ForeverFillmore st. 1, second line]

Psalm 148

Metrical Settings

"Let the Whole Creation CryBrooke
"Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise HimPerry
"Praise the LORD! O Heavens Adore HimAnonymous and Mant
"Praise the Lord Our GodBewes
"Praise the Lord, Sing HallelujahBible Songs Hymnal, 1927
"Praise Ye, Praise Ye the LordThe Psalter, 1912
"You Holy Angels BrightBaxter

Responsorial Settings

"Let All Praise the Name of the Lord," Joseph Smith
[G.I.A. G-2989]

Choral Settings

"Psalm 148," William Billings
[Concordia 98-2196]
"Psalm 148," Gustav Holst
[E.C. Schirmer 1.5015]
"Song of Praise," Knut Nystedt
[Augsburg 11-0656]

Vocal Setting

"Praise Ye The Lord" (Psalm 148), Ned Rorem
[Southern Press, from Cycle of Holy Songs]

Related Hymns

"All Creatures of Our God and KingSt. Francis of Assisi
[concertato by John Rutter (Oxford)]
"All Things Bright and BeautifulAlexander
"God Created Heaven and EarthTraditional Taiwanese hymn
"Let All Things Now LivingDavis
"Praise the Lord with the Sound of TrumpetSleeth

Hebrews 2:10–18

Related Hymns

"My Faith Looks Up to TheePalmer
"The Head that Once Was CrownedKelly
[concertatos by George Brandon (G.I.A.) and Carl Schalk (G.I.A.)]

Matthew 2:13–23

Related Hymns

"A La Ru: O Sleep, Dear Holy BabyFolclórico Hispano
"In Bethlehem a Newborn BoyHerklots
"Unto Us A Boy is Born15th cent. Latin hymn

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

Jeremiah 31:7–14

Metrical Setting

"I Am the LORD Your GodOtte

Congregational Antiphon

"Sing Praise to God who reigns above, the God of all creation"
['Sing Praise to God Who Reigns AboveSchütz first line]

Psalm 147:12–20

Metrical Settings

"Now Praise the LordAnderson
"Sing Praise to Our CreatorPost
"With Songs and Honors Sounding LoudWashburn

Responsorial Settings

"Bless the Lord, My Soul," Marty Haugen
[in Psalms for the Church Year, Volume II (G.I. A.)]
Celebration Psalter, 108
Psalm Refrains, Hopson, pp. 10, 13

Congregational Antiphon

"Sing praise to our Creator: How good his name to praise!"
["Sing Praise to Our CreatorPost first line]

Choral Setting

"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem," Malcom Williamson
[Boosey and Hawkes 5959]

Related Hymn

"Creating God, Your Fingers TraceRowthorn

Ephesians 1:3–14

Metrical Setting

"Give Thanks to God, the FatherQuinn
[concertato by Jacobus Kloppers (CRC Publications)]

Related Hymns

"For Your Gift of God the SpiritClarkson
[see alternate harmonization and descant here]
"Here, O Lord, Your Servants GatherYamaguchi
"How Vast the Benefits DivineToplady
"Lord, with Glowing Heart I'd Praise TheeKey

John 1:1–9, 10–18

Metrical Setting

"In the Beginning Was the Word EternalPolman

Choral Setting

"The Word Was Made Flesh" Healey Willan
[in We Praise Thee, W. 2 (Concordia 97-7160)]

Vocal Setting

"In the Beginning Was the Word," McNeil Robinson
[in Eleven Scriptural Songs (Cobum Press)]

Related Hymns

"At the Name of JesusNoel
[choral setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams (Oxford)]
"God, Your Glory We Have Seen in Your SonRimaud
"Of the Father's Love BegottenPrudentius
[concertatos by John Behnke (Morning Star), Thomas Gieshen (Concordia); choral settings by Paul Christiansen (Augsburg), and Sir David Willcocks (Oxford, Carols for Choirs II)]
"O Word of God IncarnateHow
"Thanks to God Whose Word Was WrittenBrooks
"Thy Strong Word Did Cleave the DarknessFranzmann



Musical Resources for Singing Scripture
 

Metrical Psalms

A New Metrical Psalter, Christopher Webber, Church Hymnal Corporation
Psalter Hymnal, CRC Publications, 1987
Rejoice in the Lord, Eerdmans, 1985
Trinity Hymnal, Great Commission Publications, 1990

Responsorial Psalms and Chanted Psalms

The Celebration Psalter, by Betty Pulkingham and Kevin Hackett, Cathedral Music Press, 1991
Lead Me, Guide Me, G.I. A. Publications, 1987
Lutheran Book of Worship, Augsburg, 1978
Psalm Refrains and Tones, Hal H. Hopson, Hope Publishing Company, No. 425,1988
Psalms for the Church Year (Volumes 1-4), G.I.A. Publications
United Methodist Hymnal, United Methodist Publishing House, 1979

Combination of Various Types of Psalm Settings

Presbyterian Hymnal, Westminster-John Knox Press, 1990
Psalms for Today—Jubilate Hymns, Hodder and Stoughton, 1990
Songs from the Psalms—Jubilate Hymns, Hodder and Stoughton, 1990

Scripture Songs

Maranatha Praise, Maranatha! Music, 1990
Psalter Hymnal, CRC Publications, 1987
Songs of Rejoicing, Selah Publishing, 1989
The Worshiping Church, Hope Publishing, 1990

Choral Settings

Catalog of Choral Music Arranged in Biblical Order, James Laster, Scarecrow Press Psalms-pr-Choirs Choral Octavo Series, Concordia
Choral Settings of the Psalms, Augsburg

Vocal Settings

Catalog of Vocal Music Arranged in Biblical Order, James Laster, Scarecrow Press Cantor-Congregation Series, G.I A. Publications

 

Rev. Dr. John D. Witvliet is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and professor of music and worship at Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also teaches in the religion department at Calvin University.

Reformed Worship 25 © September 1992, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. Used by permission.