5 songs to sing at church during Lent
4. 'Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days'
The hymn “Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days” was originally written by Claudia Frances Ibotson Hernaman and was first published in 1873, though it did not appear in an official hymnal until the 20th century.
“‘Lord, who throughout these forty days’ is the only hymn by Hernaman that is commonly sung today,” explained C. Michael Hawn, distinguished professor emeritus of church music at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
“Because there are very few hymns that encompass the entire period of Lent and take us to Easter, it fills a needed gap in the hymn repertoire and starts us off on the journey toward Holy Week and Easter.”
Lord, who throughout these forty days/ For us didst fast and pray/ Teach us with thee to mourn our sins/ And close by thee to stay.
As you with Satan did contend/ And did the vict'ry win/ O give us strength in you to fight/ In you to conquer sin.