Lift Every Voice and Sing
Lift every voice and sing
The hymn proclaims God's faithfulness and redemptive power in the midst of suffering, reflecting the exodus narrative of liberation. It affirms human dignity and the call to persevere in faith despite adversity, grounded in the Christian hope of resurrection and God's ultimate justice.
History & Background
Written by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 as a poem for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday at his school in Jacksonville, Florida. The text was first set to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson and became widely known as the Negro National Anthem.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 519
- Chalice Hymnal — 631
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 889
- Glory to God — hopeful
- The Hymnal 1982 — 599
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 562
- Lutheran Service Book — 964
- New Century Hymnal — 593
- United Methodist Hymnal — 519
- Voices Together — 840
Bulletin Note
Composed by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, this hymn channels the biblical exodus narrative through African American faith, asserting human dignity and God's liberating grace amid systemic oppression—a prophetic witness to God's justice.
Preaching Connection
This hymn proclaims the Gospel's triumph over the Law's exposure of human suffering and injustice, anchoring our hope not in human strength but in God's faithful redemption through Christ.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From jubilant communal praise (stanza 1) through honest lamentation over historical suffering and perseverance (stanza 2) to a prayer of covenant fidelity and dependence on God for the journey ahead (stanza 3).
Themes
Liberation and redemption Perseverance in faith God's faithfulness Human dignity Resurrection hope