LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A (15 March 2026)

A selection of hymns and song suggestions, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning the words can be copied and sung to at least one tune with no concerns about copyright or performance licensing - sometimes in a limited setting. Many of these hymns are old / traditional - but where possible a variety of styles and genres are included.

A small selection of copyright hymns may also be included, where they are particularly relevant.

Suggestions about hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a comment below

Seasonal note

The fourth Sunday in Lent is commonly known as Laetare Sunday. The word "laetare" means rejoice in Latin, and this idea is taken from the entrance-antiphon for the Mass, which starts "Rejoice, O Jerusalem...". Falling roughly at the half-way point in the Lenten season, this is a Sunday when traditional Lenten austerity is relaxed, and we have a reminder of the joyous resurrection to come. The day's liturgical colour is rose, instead of the usual purple of the Lenten season.

This is also Mother's Day in some countries.

The feasts of St Patrick and St Joseph, Husband of Mary often fall around this time.

4th Sunday of Lent, Year C

3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A

4th Sunday of Lent, Year B

Readings

First: Samuel 16: 1, 6-7, 10-13 - Samuel is sent by the Lord and anoints David King of Israel.

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want / He guides me along the right path / You have prepared a banquet for me / Surely and kindness shall follow me.

Second: Ephesians 5:8-14 - Wake up from you sleep and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Gospel: John 9:1-41 - Jesus heals the man born blind.

Themes

Jesus shepherding us from the darkness into light: healing and reconciliation, light.

Free-use art

See lectionary art for today for suggested pictures and art-works based on today's readings.

Free-use hymns

I Cannot Tell (why he whom angels worship) - William Young Fullerton (1857 - 1932)
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
Jesu, Lover of my Soul / Jesus, Lover of My Soul - Wesley - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Lead Kindly Light
Love Divine all Loves Excelling
My Shepherd will Supply my Need - Isaac Watts (1674–1748)
My Song is Love Unknown
O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright - Benson (1855-1930)

Take up Thy Cross / Take up Your Cross (the Saviour Said)
The Blind Man in his Darkness - Cecil Francis Alexander (1818–1895)
The King of Love my Shepherd Is - George Herbert (1593-1633)
The Lord's my Shepherd - Scottish Psalter translation
There is A Balm In Gilead - Unknown
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Souls of men, why will ye scatter) - Faber
Thine Arm (Your Hands), O Lord, in Days of Old - Edward H. Plumptre (1821-1891)
Thou Whose Almighty Word - John Marriott (1780-1825)

We Walk By Faith
What Wondrous Love - Unknown (pre 1811)
When the Spirit of the Lord / Dance Like David Danced - Unknown

Hymns which may still be copyright

Alive Again - Matt Maher
Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) - Newton + Tomlin and Giglio
Awake, Awake, Fling off the Night - Peacey
Because the Lord Is My Shepherd - Christopher Walker (b. 1947)
Christ in Me Arise (Be now my vision; open these eyes) - Trevor Thomson (b. 1971)
Christ is the World's Light He and None Other - Pratt Green (1903–2000)

Ephphetha (May God Grant Us) - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
He Healed the Darkness of My Mind - Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
Healed in Christ - Sarah Hart
Healer of Our Every Ill - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Healing River - Fran Minkoff (1915-2022)
Here I am to Worship (Light of the world) - Tim Hughes (b. 1977)

I am Free (Through you all the blind will see) - Jon Egan (2004)
I am the Light of the World (says the Lord) - Greg Hayakawa (b. 1953)
I Saw the Grass (The Perfect Face) - Estelle White (1925-2011)
In the Light of the Lord - Michael John Poirier
Jerusalem, My Destiny - Rory Cooney
Let the River Flow - Darrell Evans
Lord Heal the Darkness - Ian Callanan
Lord Open my Eyes - Solas (1993)
Miracles (I believe in You) - Chris Quilala, Joshua Silverberg, Dustin Smith and Stuart Garrard