Sing to the Lord

Sep 03 2024 95 ep. 13 mins

Sing to the Lord Podcast artwork

"Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." -Martin Luther. To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Luther House of Study's Mason Van Essen and Lars Olson sit down with Zachary Brockhoff each week to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel.

Religion & Spirituality

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"How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” | Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Sep 03 2024 11 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The name of Jesus is “sweet” not simply because it has been set to pleasing music, but because by Christ’s name, we are given faith. In Holy Baptism, Christ removes all sorrow and fear in this world with His promise.Stanza 2 // In what can sound like a long list of blessings, Jesus’ name is always extended to meet the needs of those in the world

"Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun” | Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Aug 27 2024 14 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The book of Hebrews says we make a continual sacrifice to God. This means each day is one lived in the grace of God’s great sacrifice - one in which we sleep and rise in joy - for Christ has paid the price for our sin, and calls us to awake each day in His forgiveness.Stanza 2 // Just as Christ raises us from death to life in Jesus Christ, so we are g

"O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts” | Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Aug 21 2024 10 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The world God has made gives us many great gifts - all of which leave us unfilled apart from Jesus Christ. The call of Christ comes from one who has the “words of eternal life” - greater than all gifts of the world, even the most miraculous manna given to God’s people in the Old Testament.Stanza 2 // Those who know Jesus Christ have nowhere else t

"I Am the Bread of Life” | Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Aug 12 2024 13 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Christ’s words are sung by Christians to one another - perhaps most effectively when led by a choir, cantor, or small group of singers. Jesus gives us these words, and we come to Christ because God calls us to Himself.Stanza 2 // The bread Jesus gives is Himself for your life, which promises us life forever in God’s promise of resurrection.Stanza 3

"Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor” | Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Aug 05 2024 11 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // This hymn provides remarkable contrast between the questions in this weekend’s Gospel text. Here, Christ - enthroned in heavenly splendor - is the same Lord who comes down from heaven to give us “true and living bread!” This leads to shouts of “alleluia” meaning “praise the Lord!”Stanza 2 // The contrast between God enthroned in splendor a

"All Who Hunger Gather Gladly” | Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

Jul 29 2024 11 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Those who wander hungry and thirsty in the wilderness are given a promise from our Lord. In Him, we neither hunger nor thirst, for Christ comes to feed us continually with His word of truth. When Christ gives heavenly food, we taste and see the goodness of God.Stanza 2 // Whether lost, scattered, strangers, or seeking answers to questions, all of these

"Break Now the Bread of Life” | Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

Jul 22 2024 12 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Beyond the now popular stories and miracles of Jesus’ earthly life, this hymn is a prayer seeking Christ’s promise “beyond the sacred page” that we would know God as the Living Word today.Stanza 2 // When Christ gives us His word of truth, we are both named sinners and named as God’s forgiven people forever. In this promise, we know God’s bl

"The Church’s One Foundation” | Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Jul 15 2024 12 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // Christ came to earth to make all people part of His Church - His beloved bride - as this hymn [and Scripture] say. Where Jesus’ promise of forgiveness is present, the Church exists, and those who are without a shepherd have the Good Shepherd in Jesus’ promise.Stanza 2 // When God gives His promise - whether through Christ or those He sends with the

"Give Thanks for Saints” | Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Jul 09 2024 11 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // For a hymn listed to be sung in celebration of All Saints’ Day, this text has much to teach us about what it means to be named a saint. At all times - most especially when “all around seems bleak” - saints rely solely on “God’s good promise” in life and death.Stanza 2 // The hope of John the Baptist [and King Herod] is the forgiveness of Jes

"O God of Light” | Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

Jul 02 2024 12 mins

ZACHARY'S NOTES Stanza 1 // God’s Word comes in the flesh to those who are bound to the ways of the earth to give a promise that will “pierce the darkness” - even to those who would reject Jesus Christ.Stanza 2 // This promise is not new, but one of mercy God consistently gave to those who were both “blind and willful” - much as described in this weekend’s Gospel readin