Lord, who shall sit beside Thee

Yesterday, July 25th, was the feast day of St. James the Great. This hymn, posted a day late, is for that occasion. The grand and noble melody, which is used for several more "common" texts is by Melchior Vulpius (1560-1616) and the masterful harmonization is by J. S. Bach. The fine and beautiful words were written by William Romanis (1824-1899).

James held a special place amongst the apostles. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud. And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder. To be singled out in these ways, James must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus.

In this scenario, Jesus if referring to the fact that it will be John, Peter, and James who fall asleep while on watch in the garden of Gethsemane. James as one of the first of the apostles to be martyred.

The Utrecht Bätz worked very nicely for this. The enclosed Trompet of the Bovenwerk is smooth and elegant, and it adds an "almost English" sound to the ensemble.

There is one full verse for the introduction.

Lord, who shall sit beside Thee,
Enthroned on either hand,
When clouds no longer hide Thee,
'Mid all Thy faithful band?

Who drinks the cup of sorrow
Thy Father gives to thee
'Neath shadows of the morrow
In dark Gethsemane;

Who on thy Passion thinking
Can find in loss a gain,
And dare to meet unshrinking
Thy baptism of pain.

O Jesu, form within us
Thy likeness clear and true;
By thine example win us
To suffer or to do.

This law itself fulfilleth, -
Christlike to Christ is nigh,
And, where the Father willeth,
Shall sit with Christ on high.