Hymns of Confession and Lament
Coming to God in our pain ... asking God's forgiveness for the pain we cause
God’s goodness … our sin and grief … the groaning of creation … God’s abounding mercy … these are the themes of the hymns below. Some may be familiar, others less so. We pray they will be helpful.
Traditional hymns…
* indicates out of copyright, ** indicates CCOW powerpoint version, (C) indicates especially useful for children
Links are to Hymnary where words are available on the site, and to videos where they are not.
- Creating God, your fingers trace (Jeffery Rowthorn)
- Father Eternal, Ruler of creation (Laurence Housman)*
- O Crucified Redeemer (Timothy Rees)
From new sources
Mostly in copyright – check licensing where necessary.
Resound Worship has put out a series of new songs – Doxecology (one is linked to the right). They focus on different aspects of creation care – and are free to use for churches during lockdown. You might want to look at:
- If the fields are parched (Have mercy, Lord)(Chris Juby)
- Hear the song of our lament (Keiko Ying)
They join a wide range of new music from different traditions. We’ve got a sampling below.
- The Climate is Changing! (Carolyn Winfrey Gillette – to the tune of Immortal, invisible)
- Creative God, you spread the earth (Ruth Duck)
- In a round world (Manley Olson)
- The Garden of the World – Lament for the Earth (Shirley Erena Murray)
- Isaiah the prophet has written of old (Joy F Patterson)
- Pelas dores deste mundo, Senhor /For the troubles and the sufferings of the world – (Rodolfo Gaedo Neto, tr Simei Monteiro)
- Touch the earth lightly (Shirley Erena Murray)
Jubilate Hymns appear in some hymnals, but the words can also be found on the Jubilate website. They include many new hymns set to familiar tunes – and some completely new words and tunes. You might want to look at:
- Forgive, bless, direct us, Lord (John Miller)
- Forgive us when our deeds ignore (Martin E Leckebusch)
- Now we hear creation groaning (Martin E Leckebusch)
Green Christian has a list with links to the words of new hymns, which are often set to familiar tunes. These include:
- Pat Bennett’s “Creator God, abundant life your mark”
