Biblical Canticles For Holy Week

The servant songs from Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah are fitting texts for Holy Week worship. Many hymnals include settings of these canticles for congregational singing. Consider also having these canticles read very slowly and reflectively by a single reader or a group of readers. Isaiah 42:14 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope. " Some commentators suggest that this canticle extends to verse 9. Either reading would be appropriate for Holy Week worship. Isaiah 49:16 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: "Before I was born the Lord c…