Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#270

270. Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer

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1 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer,
we baptize in your name.
Let them your covenant mercies share
as we our faith proclaim.

2 Such children you did once embrace
while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O Lord of grace,
the same compassion show.

3 In all their days their hearts secure
from sinful snares, we pray.
Throughout their lives let them endure
in every righteous way.

Text Information

• First Line: Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer
• Title: Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer
• Author: Thomas Haweis, 1732-1820 (alt.)
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Matthew 19:13-15
  ;
  Mark 10:13-16
  ;
  Luke 18:15-17
  ;
  Acts 2:39
  ;
  Acts 2
• Topic: Family; Baptism; Covenant; Guidance; Refuge

Tune Information

• Name: NAOMI
• Arranger: Lowell Mason (1836)
• Meter: CM
• Key: D Major

Text Information:

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Col. 2:11-13
st. 2 = Mark 10:13-16

A prayer asking for God's covenant faithfulness on the children we baptize, this song is adapted from a baptism text written by Thomas Haweis (b. Redruth, Cornwall, England, 1734; d. Bath, England, 1820) and published in the enlarged edition of his Carmina Christo (1808). The Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee made some significant changes in the text to express more modern Reformed theological ideas about baptism.

Initially apprenticed to a surgeon and pharmacist, Haweis decided to study for the ministry at Oxford and was ordained in the Church of England in 1757. He served as curate of St. Mary Magdalen Church, Oxford, but was removed by the bishop from that position because of his Methodist leanings. He also was an assistant to Martin Madan at Locke Hospital, London. In 1764 he became rector of All Saints Church in Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, and later served as administrator at Trevecca College, Wales, a school founded by the Countess of Huntingdon, whom Haweis served as chaplain. After completing advanced studies at Cambridge, he published a Bible commentary and a volume on church history. Haweis was strongly interested in missions and helped to found the London Mission Society. His hymn texts and tunes were published in Carmino Christo, or Hymns to the Savior (1792, expanded 1808).

Liturgical Use:
Infant baptism.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

NAOMI was a melody that Lowell Mason (PHH 96) brought to the United States from Europe and arranged as a hymn tune; the arrangement was first published in the periodical Occasional Psalm and Hymn Tunes (1836). Some scholars have attributed the original melody to Johann G. Nageli (PHH 315), but there is little evidence to substantiate this claim. The name NAOMI has no specific significance, though Mason did often assign biblical names to his hymn tunes. Sing this typically serviceable Mason tune in parts, possibly unaccompanied, and keep the tempo moving.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook