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When Jordan Hushed His Waters Still - Shenandoah Christian Music Camp

5,158 views • May 23, 2017

Description

'When Jordan Hushed His Waters Still’, composed by Stanford Scriven. Sung at the 11th Annual Choral Festival 2016 of Shenandoah Christian Music Camp (VA). Conducted by Brandon Mullet. https://www.musiccamp.info/shop/
The Historic Faith · Hymn Companion

When Jordan Hushed His Waters Still

Words by Sir Walter ScottMusic by Stanford Scriven

When Jordan hushed his waters still,
And silence slept on Zion's hill;
When Bethlehem's shepherds through the night
Watched o'er their flocks by starry light;

Hark! from the midnight hills around,
A voice of more than mortal sound,
In distant hallelujahs stole,
Wild murmuring o'er the raptured soul.

Then swift to every startled eye,
New streams of glory light the sky;
Heaven bursts her azure gates to pour
Her spirits to the midnight hour.

On wheels of light, on wings of flame,
The glorious hosts of Zion came;
High heaven with songs of triumph rung,
While thus they struck their harps and sung:

O Zion, lift thy raptured eye,
The long-expected hour is nigh;
The joys of nature rise again,
The Prince of Salem comes to reign.

See, Mercy from her golden urn,
Pours a rich stream to them that mourn;
Behold, she binds with tender care
The bleeding bosom of despair.

He comes to cheer the trembling heart,
Bids Satan and his host depart;
Again the day-star gilds the gloom,
Again the bowers of Eden bloom.

Read the full lyrics on hymnary.org

Story Behind the Song

The text is a Christmas hymn beginning “When Jordan hushed his waters still,” commonly attributed to Sir Walter Scott and centered on the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth to the shepherds. Stanford Scriven later composed a choral setting of the text. The piece is associated more with modern choral repertoire than with a widely standardized congregational hymn tune.

Scripture