Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#581

581. Lord, Today Bless This New Marriage

Text Information

• First Line: Lord, today bless this new marriage
• Title: Lord, Today Bless This New Marriage
• Author: Marie J. Post (1974)
• Meter: 87 87
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Topic: Family; Marriage; Home; Providence
• Copyright: Text © 1987, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: CROSS OF JESUS
• Composer: John Stainer (1887)
• Meter: 87 87
• Key: F Major

Text Information:

Marie J. Post (PHH 5) wrote this text in 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for her son Jack's wedding. It was first published in the Psalter Hymnal Supplement (1974) and revised for publication in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal.

The text's phrases were inspired by words from the prayer that concludes the traditional wedding formulary of the Christian Reformed Church (Psalter Hymnal, pp. 1008-1009).

Liturgical Use:
Towards the close of a wedding service as a sung prayer.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Composed by John Stainer (PHH 127), CROSS OF JESUS comes from his oratorio The Crucifixion (1887), where it was a setting for J. Sparrow-Simpson's text "Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow" (thus the tune's title).

CROSS OF JESUS is an excellent congregational tune with a strong harmonization. Sing in unison with confident organ support. A better known and more accessible alternate tune for wedding services is STUTTGART.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook