Hymn of the Month: Jerusalem the Golden

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:13

It's a heartbreaking time in our country and across the world as we grapple with the hard realities of hate, injustice and loss of life that matters. 

As Christians, we know that the power of the gospel crosses all racial lines and enables us to love and live in unity and now, more than ever, is the time to spread that message, love without partiality and point to the cross and its power.

To help us fight injustice with the truth of the gospel, let's encourage our hearts with the hope of what's coming: a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no injustice, no racism, no hate and complete peace and righteousness. 

The thought of the New Jerusalem motivated and encouraged Bernard of Cluny, too, way back in the 12th century.

This Benedictine monk’s deep longing for the New Jerusalem as presented in his 3,000 word poem "De Contemptu Mundi" has inspired Christians for centuries to meditate on the world to come and keep a needful heavenly perspective in today's turbulent world.

John Mason Neale, one Christian inspired by the lengthy Latin poem, translated part of it into another lengthy poem called "The Celestial Country" and part of that poem is the hymn we know today as "Jerusalem the Golden." 

In this moving hymn, we read of a coming day when all around us will finally be at peace.

We have a guaranteed future and it is good. 

We're reminded that we have no reason to despair as well as no reason to fear, stand still or keep silent in fighting evil and sharing the gospel.

Read the hymn and see the related resources.