Though All Our Life Is like a Scroll

Winner of the Lutheran Reformation Hymn Competition, Wilfred Karsten’s beautiful hymn text “Though All Our Life Is like a Scroll” has been majestically and sensitively set by Jeffrey Blersch. Commissioned by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Concordia Publishing House, this hymn teaches that the truths of the Reformation still apply half a millennium later. This arrangement is scored for SATB, congregation, organ, timpani, and brass quartet (2 trumpets, 2 trombones, and horn in F as substitute for trombone I). Can also be done with just a solo trumpet.

The full score is available as item 977793.

Though all our life is like a scroll
Unrolled with blemished pages;
Though sin has shredded what was whole
And death is now our wages;
Yet here we stand in confidence,
With Jesus as our sole defense,
For He alone still saves us.

Though pompously we try to dress
In costumes of our making;
Though fig leaves of self-righteousness
Are futile and heartbreaking;
Yet filthy rags Christ gladly wore
So we would perish nevermore.
His grace alone still clothes us.

Though earth’s deep waters foam and roar
As surging waves are rolling;
Though all the nations rage with war
While bells of doom are tolling;
Yet God gives peaceful fortitude,
He nurtures us with Heaven’s food.
True faith alone still anchors.

Though critics cut out Scripture’s claims
And treat them with derision;
Though they conduct their hostile aims
With scalpels of suspicion;
Yet how the living, two-edged sword
Proclaims the dead and risen Lord!
God’s Word alone: still truthful.

Now sing a high doxology
To God who gives salvation.
Both here and in eternity
Let this be our vocation.
To Father, Son, and Spirit raise
A symphony of grateful praise,
For He alone is worthy.

Copyright © 2016 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.