Take Me to the Water: Hymns and Psalms relating to Baptism

Arlo D. Duba

From the Psalter Hymnal (PsH) (CRC Publications, 1987) and the Presbyterian Hymnal (PH) (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1990)

Hymns dealing explicitly with baptism:	PsH	PH
Almighty God, Great Father, Lord and King	273
Baptized In Water	269	492
Child of Blessing, Child of Promise	498
Dearest Jesus, We Are Here	493
Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord Most Dear		496
O God, Great Father, Lord and King	274
Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer	270
Out of Deep, Unordered Water	494
The Lord Our God in Mercy Spoke		275
We Know That Christ is Raised	271	495
With Grateful Hearts Our Faith Professing	497
Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed		499
You Are Our God, We Are Your People	272

Hymns relating directly to baptism:
Christ, You Are the Fullness	229	346
Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized		70
Fear Not, Rejoice and Be Glad	201
For the Gift of God the Spirit		416
For the Glories of God's Grace		223
How Firm a Foundation	500	631
In the Beginning Was the Word Eternal		218
In the Fish for Three Days Buried	202
Lift High the Cross	373	371
Lift Your Hearts to the Lord	515
Lord, When You Came to Jordan	71
O Christ, the Great Foundation		443
O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High	364
Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth	124
This Joyful Eastertide	403
When Jesus Came to Jordan		72

Hymns with baptismal imagery:
As a Chalice Cast of Gold	336
Blessed Assurance	490	341
Christ, the Life of All the Living	371
Christ, You Are the Fullness	229	346
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing	486	356
Come, You (Ye) Faithful, Raise the Strain	389	114
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken	506	446
God Himself Is with Us	244
God Is Here	516	461
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah	543	281
Holy Spirit, Lord of Love	524
How Great Is the Love of the Father	231
I Will Sing unto the Lord	152
In the Presence of Your People		160
Jesus Lives and So Do We		399
Jesus, Lover of My Soul	578	303
Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor		154
Lord, I Want to Be a Christian	264	372
Lord, You Give the Great Commission	523	429
Love God with All Your Soul and Strength	155
My Lord, I Did Not Choose You	496
Now Thank We All Our God	454	555
O Day of Radiant Gladness	470
O God, Be Gracious to Me	167
O My People, Turn to Me	200
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven	475
Surely It is God Who Saves Me	193
Tell Out, My Soul	478
The Church's One Foundation	502	442
The Fruit of the Spirit	224
Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior		519
Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples	434
What Shall I Render to the Lord	178
Wild and Lone, the Prophet's Voice	409
We All Are One in Mission	435
We Are Your People		436

Psalm settings and paraphrases relating to baptism:		PsH	PH
Psalm 8:	God's goodness in creation
	O Lord, Our God, How Excellent		162
	Lord, Our Lord, Thy (Your) Glorious Name	8	163
	O God of Earth and Space		274
Psalm 23:	God's nurturing care
	The Lord My Shepherd Rules My Life	23
	(He leads me, restores my soul)	170	174
	The Lord's My Shepherd	161
	Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us	591	387
Psalm 25:	Lord, to You My Soul Is Lifted		25
Psalm 29:	God's voice thunders above the waters
	The God of Heaven	180
Psalm 32:	God cleanses us from sin
	How Blest Are Those	32	184
Psalms 42-43:	The deer longs for streams of water
	As Deer Long for Streams		189
	As a Deer in Want of Water	42
	My Soul Is Thirsting for the Lord	190
Psalm 51:	God forgives
	Have Mercy on Us, Living Lord	195
	Psalm	151	196
	Be Merciful, Be Merciful, O God		51
	God, Be Merciful to Me	255
Psalm 71:	In You, O Lord, I Put My Trust		71
Psalm 72:	Justice shall flow from God's grace
	Psalm 72	204
Psalm 84:	How Lovely Is Your House, O Lord	84
	How Lovely, Lord, How Lovely	207
	How Lovely Is Your Dwelling	243
Psalm 95:	God calls us each by name, and leads us to sweet waters
	Now with Joyful Exultation	95
	Come, Sing with Joy to God	215
Psalm 98:	Rivers clap their hands; waters sing; righteousness flows down
	New Songs of Celebration Render	218
	To God Compose a Song of Joy	219
Psalm 100:	All People That on Earth Do Dwell	100	220
Psalm 103:	Come Praise the Lord, My Soul	103
	O My Soul, Bless Your Redeemer	223
	O Come, My Soul, Sing Praise to God	297
Psalm 105:	Trumpet the Name! Praise Be to Our Lord	105
Psalm 111:	O Give the Lord Wholehearted Praise	111
Psalm 115:	Not unto Us, O Lord of Heaven	115	227
Psalm 116:	What Shall We Render to the Lord	116
	What Shall I Render to the Lord	178
Psalm 118:	We enter God's gates (through baptism), receive grace and walk in righteousness
	Give Thanks to God for All His Goodness	118
	This Is the Day the Lord Has Made	230
	Psalm 118	231, 232
Psalm 119:	Blessed Are Those Who Heed the Law of God		119
	Blest Are the Uncorrupt in Heart	233
Psalm 126:	God delivers, and God irrigates dry souls
	When God Delivered Israel	237
Psalm 130:	God washes away our stains; we are born of the Spirit
	Out of the Depths	240
Psalm 133:	God heals, anoints and refreshes us
	Behold the Goodness of the Lord	241
Psalm 134:	God illumines us and blesses us
	Come All You Servants of the Lord	242
Psalm 139:	Lord, You Have Searched My Life and Know	139
	You Are Before Me, Lord	248
Psalm 145:	God's grace is rich, and sends us forth in mission
	I Will Exalt My God and King	145
	O Lord, You Are My God and King	252

(Compiled by Arlo D. Duba, based on work done by Rev. Kathryn Nichols)

Arlo D. Duba (1929-2023) was professor of worship and dean of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Duba's contributions to thoughtful, rich, and Biblically rooted worship practices continue to bless the church.

(2024-04)