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649

I Call to You, My Rock

Scripture References

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Our songs and prayers include honesty before God in which we express the pain we experience over our own sins and failures, the difficulties in both our lives and others’ lives, and our laments at the suffering and brokenness that marks our world and our lives. We have assurance, says Belgic Confession, Article 26, that Christ, our intercessor, will hear us, “since he suffered, being tempted, he is also able to help those who are tempted.”

 

We are encouraged to approach the throne with boldness so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Belgic Confession, Article 26, based on Hebrews 4). “We grieve that the church…has become a broken communion in a broken world” (Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 40).

 
We also “lament that our abuse of creation has brought lasting damage to the world we have been given...” (Our World Belongs to God, paragraph 51). And we cry to God for those who suffer in our world, knowing “that God…is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged...” (Belhar Confession, Section 4).

649

I Call to You, My Rock

Additional Prayers

God our Rock, you are life and truth.
Before his arrest, your Son prayed for the protection of your flock.
Deliver us, we pray, from the evil that is around us and within us.
And, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
help us to live and serve you as those who know your salvation.
We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
A Prayer for Fresh Encounters with God’s Grace
Surprising God, you who come at us from directions in which we are not looking, upset our dreary days. Stagger us with grace so that, thinking of you, we find wonder upon wonder and every wonder true, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
649

I Call to You, My Rock

Tune Information

Name
RHOSYMEDRE
Key
F Major
Meter
6.6.6.6.8.8 with repeat

Recordings

Musical Suggestion

Consider using st. 1 as a call to prayer and st. 3 as a conclusion to prayer.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
649

I Call to You, My Rock

Hymn Story/Background

Psalm 28 features a dramatic pivot from a plea for God’s deliverance and retribution against the enemies (vv. 1-5) to a grateful response for answered prayer (vv. 6-7). The psalm looks beyond the immediate circumstances by concluding with an expansive prayer for God to be a shepherd to the people forever (vv. 8-9). The prayers for deliverance are particularly concerned with wily evildoers whose peaceful speech masks evil intent (v. 3). The psalm can be appropriated both by identifying with the experience of the author as victim and, more provocatively, by identifying with the victimizer, realizing that faithful people may be compelled to pray this in light of how they have been victimized by us.
— Psalms for All Seasons (http://www.psalmsforallseasons.org)
John David Edwards published a collection of hymn tunes, Original Sacred Music (2 vols., 1836, 1843), for use in Anglican churches in Wales. This tune, RHOSYMEDRE was published in the 1836 collection. The tune's title is derived from the Welsh parish where Edwards was pastor for some years after 1843. In Wales this tune is associated with Easter and is thought of as a jubilant hymn tune. Outside of Wales, however, it often receives a more devotional treatment.
 
RHOSYMEDRE is characterized by mainly stepwise motion and by repeated tones. It is a bar form tune (AAB). Sing this fine harmonization in parts. Use firm accompaniment, and play at a moderate pace.
— Bert Polman

Author Information

Martin Leckebusch (b. Leicester, England, 1962) was educated at Oriel College before going on to study Mathematics at Oxford and Numerical Analysis at Brunel University. He and his wife, Jane, have four daughters; their second child, a son, died in 1995. The family live in Gloucester and belong to a Baptist church.
 
Martin’s work in hymnody over the past twenty-five years has resulted in almost 400 hymn texts, of which around half have so far been published by Kevin Mayhew. These include the ever-popular More than Words and Songs of God’s People—books which have cemented his status as a talented and accomplished hymn writer.
 
Martin is keen to see the church equipped for Christian living, and believes that well-crafted and wisely-used contemporary hymns and songs have a vital role to play in that process.
— Kevin Mayhew Publishing (http://www.kevinmayhew.com/)

Composer Information

John David Edwards (b. Penderlwyngoch, Cardiganshire, Wales, 1805; d. Llanddoget, Denbighshire, North Wales, 1885) was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, England, and ordained an Anglican priest in 1833. He served parishes in Rhosymedre and Llanddoget and published a collection of hymn tunes, Original Sacred Music (2 vols., 1836, 1843), for use in Anglican churches in Wales.
— Bert Polman

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