Strike Up The Instruments was written for the twenty-fifth anniversary
of Pilgrim Christian Church. It is a festival piece, with parts for trumpet and trombone.
The current score does not have these parts in it.
Spring 1991
Lyrics
Strike up the instruments, sing a new song to the Lord of Hosts
Strike up the instruments, sing a new song to the Lord of Hosts
Praise our Creator with timbrels!
Chant to our maker with cymabal!
Sing with abandon, acclaim his glory, honor his name!
I will sing to my God a new hymn,
O, God you are great and glorious.
I will sing to the Lord a new hymn,
Unsurpassed is your power, O Lord.
When you spoke were all creatures created.
By your word were the oceans and mountains formed.
I will live all my days, lost in wonder and praise,
For merciful is our God.
I will sing to my God a new hymn:
Unsurpassed is the power of your love.
Strike up the instruments, sing a new song to the Lord of Hosts
Strike up the instruments, sing a new song to the Lord of Hosts
Praise our Creator with timbrels!
Chant to our maker with cymabal!
Sing with abandon, acclaim his glory, honor his name!
The text is based on Judith 16:1,13-15.
And Judith said,
Begin a song to my God with tambourines,
sing to my Lord with cymbals.
Raise to him a new psalm;
exalt him, and call upon his name.
I will sing to my God a new song:
O Lord, you are great and glorious,
wonderful in strength, invincible.
Let all your creatures serve you,
for you spoke, and they were made.
You sent forth your spirit, and it formed them;
there is none that can resist your voice.
For the mountains shall be shaken to their foundations with the waters;
before your glance the rocks shall melt like wax.
But to those who fear you
you show mercy.