Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#401

401. Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord

Oh, how good is
Christ the Lord!
On the cross he died for me.
He has pardoned all my sin.
Glory be to Jesus.
Glory be to Jesus!
Glory be to Jesus!
In three days he rose again.
Glory be to Jesus.

Oh, qu‚ bueno es Jes£s.
Que por m¡ muri¢ en la cruz.
Mis pecados perdon¢.
A su nombre gloria.
A su nombre gloria.
A su nombre gloria.
En tres d¡as resucit¢.
A su nombre gloria.

Text Information

• First Line: Oh, how good is Christ the Lord
• Title: Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord
• Spanish Title: Oh, Qué Bueno Es Jesús
• Meter: irregular
• Language: English; Spanish
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  1 Corinthians 15
• Topic: Doxologies; Cross of Christ; Praise & Adoration; Songs for Children: Hymns; Texts in Two Languages; Easter; Atonement; Forgiveness
• Source: Puerto Rican folk hymn

Tune Information

• Name: OH QUE BEUNO
• Harmonizer: Dale Grotenhuis (1985)
• Meter: irregular
• Key: D Major
• Source: Puerto Rican folk hymn
• Copyright: Harmonization © 1987, CRC Publications

Text Information:

This hymn is one of a number of Spanish folk hymns sung by evangelical Christians throughout Central and South America. No other published source is known. Transcribed from a tape recording of a small Bible study group in Puerto Rico, the song was presented by a Hispanic task force charged with recommending Spanish-language hymns for the Psalter Hymnal.

The text presents the heart of the Christian confession of faith: Christ who died for our sin has risen again! We respond to this confession, "Glory be to Jesus." This acclamation is similar to the traditional liturgical response to the reading of the gospel text. To continue the confession, Bert Polman (PHH 37) wrote an additional stanza in 1987:

Oh, how good is Christ the Lord! He has sent his Spirit here
to lead us along the way. Glory be to Jesus!
Glory be to Jesus! Glory be to Jesus!
For his kingdom has no end. Glory be to Jesus!

Liturgical Use:
Easter season; as a short, sung confession of faith.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

OH QUE BUENO is a simple tune with musical phrases bound by one syncopated rhythm, a typical trait of many popular tunes from Latin America. The tune is a fine example of the Puerto Rican corito ("a little song"). It is intended for unison singing, but choirs may wish to try singing in harmony. Dale Grotenhuis (PHH 4) prepared the harmonization in 1985. Use light accompaniment with guitars or piano; improvise some additional percussion rhythms.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook