Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#252

252. Father in Heaven

Text Information

• First Line: Father in heaven
• Title: Father in Heaven
• Author: Elena G. Maquiso (1961)
• Translator: Daniel T. Niles (1964)
• Meter: 55 55 55 54
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1982
• Topic: Love: God's Love to Us; Opening of Worship; Atonement; Close of Worship; Grace; Holy Spirit; Mercy; Music; Peace; Redemption; Trinity
• Copyright: Tr. by permission of Christian Conference of Asia

Tune Information

• Name: RESTORATION
• Harmonizer: Gary Warmink (1974)
• Meter: 55 55 55 54
• Key: e minor
• Source: W. Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835
• Copyright: Harmonization © 1987, CRC Publications

Text Information:

Featuring a trinitarian structure, this hymn is a prayer for God's presence in both worship and life. It was written in 1961 by Elena G. Maquiso (b. Guindulman, Bohol, Philippines, 1914). She was educated both in the Philippines and the United States, received a doctorate from the Hartford Theological Foundation in 1960, and taught at Silliman University in Mumaguete, Philippines, where she directed its Ulahingan Research Project. Her publications, related to indigenous folklore and hymnody, include (1962), Mga Sugilanon Sa Negros (1980), and Ulahingan: Epic of the Southern Philippines (1992).

Daniel Thambyrajah Niles (b. Telipallai, Ceylon, 1908; d. Vellore Christian Medical College, India, 1970) translated this hymn text for the EACC Hymnal. (1964), which he produced almost single-handedly. That hymnal includes forty-four of his own hymns and translations and adaptations of others. Niles began studies in law at Ceylon Christian University, but changed his course of study to the ministry, due in part to a devout Hindu warden at the University who greatly influenced him. Niles was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1932. After serving in Ceylon, he became the president of the East Asia Christian Conference (EACC), and later the evangelism secretary for the World Council of Churches in Geneva.

A few word changes are included in the text published in the Psalter Hymnal; some other modern hymnals have changed the first line to "O God in heaven."

Liturgical Use:
Beginning of worship; before the proclamation of the Word; with spoken prayers following the sermon; as a short sung prayer; Lord's Supper.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

A simple, attractive tune, RESTORATION features the pentatonic (five-pitch) style typical of Appalachian music. It was first published in Southern Harmony. (1835), published by William Walker (PHH 44). The tune name derives from "Mercy, O Thou Son of David," the text to which this tune was set in Walker's book.
Sing this music in four phrases at a good tempo. It is suitable for guitar or light organ registration. Try introducing it on folk instruments–for example, play the melody on recorder or flute (up an octave) and the harmony on guitar or Orff instru¬ments. The most simple Orff accompaniment, which children can easily handle, is the playing of repeated rhythmic ostinati on the B and E pitches throughout.
Gary Warmink (b. Everson, WA, 1940) harmonized this tune in 1973 when serving as a member of the Psalter HymnalPsalter Hymnal Supplement. A graduate of Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the University of Washington, Warmink also received a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He taught music at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa (1963-1980), Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas (1980-1984), and was minister of music at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas (1984-1996). He is currently pursuing a variety of service projects in Russia and Romania, including organ ¬building projects there and in Texas.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook