We Mourn For Daughter Dinah

Based on Genesis 34:1-29
Recommended Tune: Passion Chorale by Hans L. Hassler (1601)
Harmonization: Johann Sebastian Bach (1729)
Meter: 76.76 D

We mourn for daughter Dinah,
not welcomed as a son.
When she went out to visit,
her future was undone.
She fell in love with Shechem
from a surrounding clan.
This outrage caused her brothers
to plot a devious plan.

They ordered Shechem's family
consent to their harsh rules,
yet after their obedience
they found they had been fooled.
The sons of Jacob killed them,
took Dinah, went away.
This trouble caused her father
to leave without delay.

Since we know not the outcome
of Dinah's history
this gives us pause to ponder
what was her destiny.
We trust the wives of Jacob
helped her know how she could
empower other daughters,
to own their womanhood.

Today too many women
must suffer lesser worth,
for often men are privileged
by nature of their birth.
God, let us now remember
all women who must face
the barriers of oppression.
Help us uphold their place.

Edith Sinclair Downing's photo, biography, contact information and links to additional songs and choral music are available on the Discipleship Ministries website.

Copyright © 2007 Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. Permission to copy this text for use in a church bulletin, etc., must be obtained from Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. unless the church has a license from CCLI, OneLicense.net, or LicenSing.