For hundreds of years, hymn writers have set their lyrics to classical, folk, pop and rock tunes. One recent example is Michael Perry’s hymn, “O God Beyond All Praising.”

According to the United Methodist Church website, this hymn was “written specifically for the melody THAXTED in 1982, a composition by the early 20th-century British composer Gustav Holst (1874-1934) [which is part of the “Jupiter” section of his orchestral suite, “The Planets.”] This tune is normally associated in the United Kingdom with a more patriotic text. Perry composed the text, he said, ‘in response to a call for alternative words that would be more appropriate for Christian worship.’”

The lyrics of “O God Beyond all Praising” celebrate “blessings without number and mercies without end” as “We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your Word.” By setting his lyrics to this triumphant, solemn tune he effectively claimed it for the church—not only that we might sing it for ages to come, but I believe (like many great hymns of the church) for throughout eternity.

Ironically, the composer was far removed from the church and was never a person who “honor(s) and adore(s) … our great and mighty Lord.” Rather, Gustav Holst was a man who was influenced by Hindu spiritualism. He composed “The Planets,” not as an orchestral work inspired by the Bible (Psalms 19) to celebrate the God of creation, but each part of the suite was written to transmit the ideas, feelings and influence of the astrological signs.

Christ’s common grace extended to Gustav Holst (and all mankind!) means that we are able to hear and enjoy such works as THAXTED. But praise be to our Loving Lord for his special grace that redeemed Michael Perry, who in turn wrote lyrics that help us to “sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay.”