The Great Commission has been given to the Church (figuratively, “Zion”). That responsibility is to share the love of Christ with the world so that all may be saved. In this hymn, the tune TIDINGS evokes images of this responsibility as spiritual marching orders. Our arrangement for eight handbells and piano will work especially well for a Missions Sunday!
O Zion, haste, your mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light;
that He who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Behold how many thousands still are lying,
bound in the darksome prison-house of sin,
with none to tell them of the Savior’s dying,
or of the life He died for them to win.
Proclaim to ev’ry people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is love:
tell how He stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that we might live above.
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release.
The eight bells in the score are accompanied by piano; if you don’t happen to have an accompanist available, we also have an accompaniment MP3 available for purchase.
Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
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