LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the Baptism of the Lord, Year A (11 Jan 2026)

This is a selection of hymns and song suggestions, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (which acts as the 1st Sunday of Ordinary Time), 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 hymns that are still copyright may also be included, if they are particularly relevant.

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.

Baptism of the Lord / 1st OT - Year C

2nd Sunday after Christmas

2nd Sunday OT, Year A

Baptism of the Lord / 1st OT - Year B

Readings

First: Isaiah 43: 1-4, 6-7 - The Lord says "Here is my servant ... that he may bring true justice to the nations ... he does not cry our shout aloud ... Faithfully he brings true justice .. I the Lord have called you to serve the cause of right ..."

Psalm 28 : The Lord will bless his people with peace / O give the Lord you sons of God / The Lord's voice resounding on the water / The God of glory thunders.

Second: Acts 10:34-48 : God does not have favourites: his word was sent to the people of Israel - but Jesus Christ is the Lord of all ... because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen to the power of the devil.

Gospel: Matthew 3: 13-17 - John baptizes Jesus - the heaven opened and he saw the Spirit of God descend on him like a dove ... "this is my Son, the beloved: my favour rests on him".

Themes

Mary - mother of Jesus and Mother of God. God's blessing. Peace.

Free-use art

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

Free-use hymns

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Asperges Me - Unknown
At the Name of Jesus
Christ is Made the Sure Foundation
Comfort, Comfort Ye my People - Winkworth

Down to the River to Pray - Unknown
God is Working His Purpose Out / As the Waters Cover the Sea - Arthur Campbell Ainger (1841-1919)
Hail to the Lord's Anointed
Hark a Herald Voice is Calling
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

Jerusalem (And did those feet in ancient times)
Joy to the World the Lord is Come - Watts
O Breathe on Me O Breath of God
O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness - Monsell (1811-1875)
Of the Father's Love Begotten - Neale / Baker
On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry

Sancti Venite, Christi Corpus Sumite - Unknown, 7th century
Shall we Gather at the River
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise (God in man made manifest) - Wordsworth
Take me to the Water - Unknown - traditional spiritual
The Race that Long in Darkness Pined - Morrison (not verse 2)
Wade in the Water - Unknown

Hymns which may still be copyright

A Voice Cries Out in the Wilderness (Console my people) - Jan Michael Joncas (b. 1951)
Across the Years there Echoes Still - Denis Hurley (1915-2004)
At the Jordan Jesus Heard - Delores Dufner
Baptized in Living Waters - Alan Hommerding (b. 1956)
Baptized in Water - Saward
Born of the Water - Michael Perry (1942 - 1996)
By the Love of God (We are signed in the water) - Tom Booth, Matt Maher

Come to the River (Come o come) - Bob Hurd (b. 1950), Craig Kingsbury, Dominic MacAller (b. 1959), Ken Canedo
Come to the Water (O let all who thirst) - John Foley
Come to the Water (you who are thirsty) - Andersen
Give Me a New Heart, O God - Christopher Walker (b. )
Give Us, Lord, A New Heart - Bernadette Farrell
Grant to us O Lord - Lucien Deiss (1921-2007)

Healing Waters (Renew my heart, O God) - Trevor Thomson, (b. 1971)
I Send You Out - John Angotti
O wash me in the Water (of redeeming love) - Chris O'Hara
On Jordan's River Bank Today - Christopher Idle ()
Open the Heavens Lord - Brian Boniwell
Open Your Ears O Christian (Faithful) People - the Torah Song - Song of Good News - Willard F. Jabusch (1930-2018)