LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B (18 August 2024)

A selection of hymns and songs, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the twentieth Sunday of Ordinary time, Year B.

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. Many such hymns are old/traditional - but where possible a variety of styles / genres are included. A small selection of hymns which are, or may be, still copyright are also included where they are a particularly good for for the theme(s).

Suggestions about other free-to-use hymns that could be included are welcome: leave a message in the Comments box near the bottom of the page.

Seasonal Note

St Mark’s Gospel is the main one used in Year B. But in Year B, between late July and the end of August, the Gospel is mostly from John 6, presenting Jesus as the Bread of Life. If you are planning music for Sunday Masses may be helpful to plan these weeks as one season, spreading your known "Eucharist" themed hymns through the weeks.

In some countries, the solemnity of the Assumption is transferred to this Sunday instead of being celebrated on the 15th. Hymn suggestions for the Assumption has hymn and song options for this. And check your local liturgical calendar to know if this applies in your area.

20th Sunday of OT, Year A

19th Sunday of OT

21st Sunday of OT

20th Sunday of OT, Year C

Readings

First: Proverbs 9:1-6 - Wisdom has built herself a house, prepared a banquet, sent invitations

Psalm: Psalm 33 - Taste and see that the Lord is good / I will bless the Lord at all times

Second: Ephesians 5:15-20 - be careful about the sort of life you lead - sing together to God

Gospel: John 6: 51-58 - I am the living bread, he who eats my bread and drinks my flesh lives in me, and I in him.

Themes

Eucharist / Bread of life - God invites us to live with him and in him. Giving thanks to God for the Bread of Life.

Artworks

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

Free-use hymns

All Creatures of our God and King

All People that on Earth Do Dwell

Alleluia, Sing to Jesus

At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing

Ave Verum Corpus

Come and Take the Flesh of Christ

Come, Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs

Eucharist (We are broken bread - Madden)

Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer

I Received the Living God

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Jesu Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all the World in Every Corner Sing

Let us with a Gladsome Mind

O Praise our Great and Gracious God

Psalm 33 - Music for Mass setting

Soul of my Saviour

Stay with us Lord We Pray You

The Church's One Foundation

Those who Love and Those who Labour

Hymns that may still be copyright

All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly - Dunstan

Blessed Jesus, Living Bread - Vajda

Bread for the World - Farrell

Come and be Filled - Nazareth

Come Down O Love Divine
(the words are copyright in most countries, but the most commonly-used tune is not)

Eat this Bread - Taizé

Give Thanks - Smith

God's Holy Mystery - Tate

Happy Are They Who Dwell - Porter

Here at this Table - Whittaker

I am the Bread of Life - Toolan

In Bread we Bring you Lord - Nichols

I Love for Me - Owens / Lundy

In the Breaking of the Bread - Hurd

There is Mercy in the Lord - Psallite

Wisdom's Feast - Westendorf