
“From the Mount of Our Lord’s Glory” a hymn for Transfiguration by Chad Bird
This week many churches will observe The Transfiguration of Our Lord in their weekend services. The insightful hymn From the Mount of Our Lord’s Glory written by Chad Bird provides some powerful meditative thoughts for preparing to lead or participate in worship. Chad explains his hymn below. Take the time to read his thoughts before you read the lyrics to better understand the content and context for the hymn before you read carefully through the verses.
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About a year ago, Pastor Hans Fiene preached a sermon on the Transfiguration in which he developed the theme of the interconnectedness of the four mountains that are, implicitly or explicitly, part of that narrative: Sinai, Carmel, Calvary, and the Mount of Transfiguration. Hans wrote:
Here on the mountain of the transfiguration, Moses brings with him Mount Sinai, the mountain of the law. Here, Elijah brings with him Mount Carmel, the mountain of spiritual warfare. And here Jesus brings with him the mountain he is preparing to visit, the mountain called Calvary, where he will die for the sins of the world. And on this mountain of the transfiguration, we see that all these other mountains are interconnected, joined together and forming the story of what it means to be a Christian saved by the blood of Jesus.
Here is a hymn I wrote that’s based upon the ideas and images in that homily. Other tunes fit this text, but I chose the one noted below. If you wish, feel free to use this on Sunday as you celebrate the festival.
A Hymn for the Transfiguration of our Lord
“From the Mount of Our Lord’s Glory”
From the mount of our Lord’s glory,
Other mountaintops appear.
Peaks in concert sing this story:
Our salvation has drawn near.
Shine, O Lord, from every height
Rays of wisdom, peace, and light!
Moses from Mount Sinai preaches
Words in stone that shatter hearts.
Down into the depths he reaches,
Bidding us from sin depart.
Rise, repent, O Christian, see
Light and life on Calvary!
As Elijah battles evil,
Truth and lies on Carmel fight,
Christians strive against the devil;
Warfare is our daily plight.
Grant us peace midst war and loss,
From the mount of our Lord’s cross.
Jesus from Mount Calv’ry preaches
Blood-soaked words that heal our hearts.
Warfare ends, the battle ceases,
Peace and hope our Lord imparts.
Christ, transfixed on Calv’ry’s tree,
Grant that we transfigured be!
Here we see salvation’s story,
Here the law has been fulfilled,
Here is Christ in thorn-crowned glory,
Here our hearts His peace has stilled.
Here, our Lord, upon that height,
Shines on us as Light of Light!
Tune: Unser Herrscher (LSB #901 “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”)

