Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#60

60. O God, You Have Rejected Us

Text Information

• First Line: O God, you have rejected us
• Title: O God, You Have Rejected Us
• Versifier: Marie J. Post (1985)
• Meter: CMD
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 60
• Topic: Biblical Names & Places: Judah; Temptation & Trial; Afflictions; Victory
• Copyright: Text © 1987, CRC Publications

Tune Information

• Name: XAVIER
• Composer: J. R. Tipton (1974)
• Meter: CMD
• Key: f minor
• Copyright: Tune © 1974, Broadman Press. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

Text Information:

A prayer for victory over Edom, the enemy of God's people.

Scripture References:
st. 1 =vv. 1-5
st. 2 = vv. 6-8
st. 3 =vv. 9-12

This lament, in contrast to the immediately preceding ones, takes on a national scope, focusing on Israel's defeat by a foreign nation. Though Israel has suffered God's rejection in battle, the psalmist appeals for help (st. 1) from God, who has declared that Israel is his kingdom (“Judah [is] my scepter”), and who will triumph over Edom and other enemies (st. 2). Relying on that declaration, the psalmist encourages us to pray with confidence that God will give victory to his people, his church (st. 3). Marie J. Post (PHH 5) versified this psalm in 1985 for the Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
When the church has suffered defeat or is otherwise in need of encouragement in its spiritual warfare.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Julius Robinson Tipton (b. Memphis, TN, 1942) composed XAVIER for the Baptist Hymnal (1975) as a setting for Harry Emerson Fosdick's text "O God, Who to a Loyal Home." The tune name derives from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where Tipton was choral director and music department chair from 1969-1978. XAVIER is written in the style of Southern Harmony tunes from the southeastern United States (see PHH 44 for more information on Southern Harmony). Lines 1, 2, and 4 contrast with the climactic line 3. A moderate tempo and clear organ articulation help set the pace for this music.

Tipton graduated from Mississippi College, Louisiana State University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and served several churches as minister of music, including Woodland Presbyterian Church in New Orleans from 1969-1978. Tipton then received the M.Div. degree from Austin Presbyterian Seminary, was pastor of First Presbyterian Church of New Iberia, Louisiana (1980-1989), and is currently pastor at John Knox Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida. Tipton has composed vocal, choral, and instrumental works, including the opera Judas.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook