Hymn 58

Hymn 58 will be revised. This hymn has an interesting history. The SCBP included it in the Augment, 2007. A number of churches were not happy with the second line of stanza 1, “…we now present to thee.” Baptistic overtones were discerned. Many Baptists, though holding to believer-baptism, yet realize that their children are different from the children of unbelievers and thus have a ceremony in which they dedicate their children to the Lord.

The line can be defended. After all, this is a hymn meant to be sung at the occasion of the baptism of infants. Also, parents do present their children for baptism. Yet, because of the objections of a number of churches, the SCBP recommended to GS Burlington, 2010, that this hymn be deleted and not included in the APV.

Interestingly, GS 2010 rejected the recommendation of the SCBP and adopted a motion to include it in the APV. Synod pointed to Luke 2:22 which speaks about Joseph and Mary taking the infant Jesus to Jerusalem to “present him to the Lord.”

There was, again, some pushback from the churches about the inclusion of the hymn in the APV so the SCBP took another look at the hymn to see if it could be improved. Since the text is public domain, one is free to do this. The amended version was approved by GS Carman, 2013, and will be included in the new BoP.

This is the APV, 2010, version:

1. Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer
we now present to thee;
let them Thy covenant mercies share
and thy salvation see.

2. Such helpless babes Christ did embrace,
while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O God of grace,
the same compassion show.

3. As they grow up, their hearts secure
from worldly snares, we pray;
O let them to the end endure
in every righteous way.

The BoP 2013 version

1. Our children, LORD, as covenant heirs,
are baptized in your name,
for they your steadfast promise share,
which you to us proclaim.

2. Such children Jesus did embrace
while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O God of grace,
the same compassion show

3. As they grow up, keep them secure
from worldly snares, we pray;
O let them to the end endure
in every righteous way.

-Stanza 1 is more “covenantal.”
-In stanza 2 the excessively sentimental line 1 has been improved.
-Stanza 3 sees only a small change made to line 1.

We think it is an improvement and trust it will be well-received by the churches.