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Use of OLD HUNDRED in several hymnals used by Christian Scientists

In the 1887 revised Social Hymn and Tune Book, Hymn 33 is OLD HUNDRED. In 1718 the tune was set to the words “From all that dwell below the skies” by Isaac Watts (1674–1748), one of the greatest English hymnodists.¹ This hymn’s two verses are set in G major, with a 4/4 meter. The name Guillaume Franck (1545) stands above the tune. Three other texts are set to the same tune: Watts, G. Tersteegen, and an unidentified text (see Chapter 1).

In the 1889 volume Christian Science Hymns, published in Chicago by Ursula N. Gestefeld, Hymn 1 is OLD HUNDRED, set to the words “All people that on earth do dwell.” The hymn’s four verses were set in G major, with a 2/2 meter. (See Chapter 2.) The 1955 Presbyterian Hymnbook ascribes this text to William Kethe (1561), based on Psalm 100. Below the fourth verse is the word “Doxology,” with a single verse of four lines:

Great God, of life and light the source,

Thy presence fills the universe;

In thee alone shall be our boast,

O Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Christian Science Hymns as used in services conducted by Joseph Adams, published in Chicago in 1889, included “All people that on earth do dwell” as Hymn 12, with four verses (see Chapter 2).

In the 1932 edition of the Christian Science Hymnal, Hymn 325 uses the Isaac Watts text, in four verses, set to the tune DUKE STREET.

In the 1889 volume Hymns and Tunes for the Church of Christ, (Scientist) by Orrilla W. Day, Hymn 205 is OLD HUNDRED, set to the words “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow” (one verse only). It is listed as a doxology (see Chapter 2). The name Luis Bourgevis stands above the tune. He was a musician and editor of the Genevan Psalter from 1542 to 1557.²

In the 1892 first edition of the Christian Science Hymnal, Hymn 1 is OLD HUNDRED, set to Isaac Watts’s tune “From all that dwell below the skies” (see Chapter 3). The hymn’s two verses are set in G major, with a 4/4 meter. A second, unidentified text of three verses begins “I praise Thee, Lord, for blessings sent.” Each text is set to a “second tune” and a “third tune,” neither identified. The name Guillaume Franck stands above the tune.

In the 1903 and 1905 printings of the Hymnal’s 1898 revision, as well as in the 1910 edition, the words “Communion Doxology: tune ‘Old Hundred. L.M.’” and the name Guillaume Franck stand above the tune (see Chapter 5). This unumbered hymn is set to the words “Be Thou, O God, exalted high,” based on Psalm 57.³. It is set in G major, with a 4/4 meter. Set to the Isaac Watts text, Hymn 1 is OLD HUNDRED, in G major with a 4/4 meter.

In the 1932 edition of the Hymnal, Hymn 1 is OLD HUNDREDTH, set in G major, with a 4/2 meter (see Chapter 6 and Chapter 7). The Isaac Watts text “From all that dwell below the skies” has two verses and appears in alphabetical order as Hymns 62 and 63. Musically, Hymn 62 is identical to Hymn 1, except that it is set in A flat major. Hymn 63, the 1551 Genevan Psalter version, is also set in A flat major, with a 4/2 meter. It does not have the fermatas and includes the original metric scanning. The tune is attributed to Louis Bourgeois.⁴

In the 2017 edition of the Hymnal, Hymn 445 has the words “Be Thou, O God” and is set to the Tallis Canon in English and 16 other languages (see Chapter 1). Hymn 446 (music by Izumi Shiota) and Hymn 447 (music by Desirée Goyette) also use the same text.⁵

“The Christian Science Hymnal: History, Heritage, Healing.” © 2024 The Mary Baker Eddy Library. All rights reserved.