SENTENCES & RESPONSES
SDAH 669
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord life His countenance upon you,
and give you peace;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you,
This hymn appears in:
For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
These words are a slight modification of the Aaronic blessing given to Moses by the Lord for the high priest and his sons (see Numbers 6:24-26).
The tune CHORAL BLESSING was composed in 1900 by Peter Christian Lutkin and dedicated “to my friend William Smedley.” It has been widely used by choirs as a benediction. In Church Hymnal, 1941, it was printed minus the closing Amens, which have now been restored.
Born March 27, 1858, of Danish parents at Thompsonville, Wisconsin, Lutkin attended the choir school at St. James’ Church in Chicago and at age 14 was chosen the organist there. After three years of study in Europe, he returned to Chicago at age 26 to be organist/choirmaster at St. Clements’ from 1884 to 1891, and back at St. James’ until 1896. Syracuse University awarded him the D.Mus. degree in 1900. He taught theory at the American Conservatory, then in 1896 founded and became dean of the school of music at Northwestern University. His a cappella choir, begun in 1906, established a tradition of excellence long emulated by others.
He helped to found the American Guild of Organists, and was president of the Music Teacher’s National Association in 1911 and 1920. He served on the hymnal commissions of both the Episcopal and Methodist churches. He composed anthems, choral pieces, hymn tunes, and instrumental music. Death came at Evanston, Illinois, on December 27, 1931, while he was working on a new hymnal. He was the musical editor of the Methodist Hymnal, 1905. Lutkin Hall at Northwestern University perpetuates memory.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord life His countenance upon you,
and give you peace;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you,
be gracious,
the Lord be gracious unto you.
Amen.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Num 6:24-26
Copyright
Music used by permission of Summy-Birchard Music division of Birch Tree Group Ltd.
Hymn Tune
CHORAL BLESSING
Metrical Number
Irregular
Composer
Peter C. Lutkin (1858-1931)
Year Composed
1900
