LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (1st Feb 2026)

Hymns and song suggestions, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the 4th 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 these are particular 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.

Seasonal note

This day sometimes coincides with 1 February which is the feast of St Brigid of Kildare, or 2 February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

4th Sunday OT, Year C

3rd Sunday OT, Year A

5th Sunday OT, Year A

4th Sunday of OT, Year B

Readings

First: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 - Seek the Lord all you humble of the earth .. .in your midst I will leave a humble and lovely people.

Psalm 145 - How happy are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven / It is the Lord who keeps faith forever / It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind / It is the Lord who loves the just.

Second: I Corinthians 1:26-31 : God chose what is foolish by human reckoning ... God has made members of Christ Jesus and by doing so has become our wisdom, virtue, holiness and freedom.

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 - The Beatitudes - happy are the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Themes

The Beatitudes, especially blessed are the poor. Human nothingness without God.

Free-use art

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

Free-use hymns

All my Hope On God is Founded - Robert Bridges (1844-1930)
All People that on Earth do Dwell
All Ye (You) Who Seek a Comfort Sure - Edward Casswall (1814-1878)
Alleluia Sing to Jesus
Amazing Grace
At the Name of Jesus

Be Still my Soul
Be Thou my Vision
Beautiful Savior - Seiss
Blessed are the Humble Souls that See - Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Blest are the Pure in Heart - John Keble (1792-1866)

Forth in Thy Name O Lord I Go - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
God be in my Head (the Sarum Prayer)
God my King Your Might Confessing / God my King Thy Might Confessing - Richard Mant (1776-1848)
He (All) Who Would Valiant be / to be a Pilgrim
Holy God we Praise Thy Name

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee - Winkworth
Jesus the Very Thought of Thee - Caswall
Lord of all Hopefulness
O Breathe on Me O Breath of God
O God of Earth and Altar

Hymns that may still be copyright

Abundant Life (We cannot own the sunlit sky) - Ruck C Duck (1947-2024)
All the Ends of the Earth - Bob Dufford (b. 1943)
Blessed are They Who Follow God’s Law - Stephen Dean ()
Blessed are you, Lord (God forever, God of creation) - Jackie François
Bread For the World ( a world of hunger) - Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
Bring Forth the Kingdom (You are salt for the earth) - Haugen - Haugen

Earthen Vessels (We hold a treasure, not made of gold) - Foley - John Foley SJ (b 1939)
Fill my House Unto the Fullest
Happy the Man - Sebastian Temple (1928-1997)
Happy the Poor in Spirit - Thomas J. Porter (b. 1958)
Here I am Lord (I the Lord of Sea and Sky) - Schutte
Holy God, Holy and Glorious - Susan Briehl (b. 1952)

Lead Me Lord - Becker
Let Nothing Trouble You or Frighten You - Bernadette Farrell ()
My God and my All - Rufino Zaragoza, OFM, (b. 1957)
O God Thy People Gather - Anthony Nye SJ (1932-2022)
O How Blessed (The Beatitudes) - Daniel L. Schutte (b. 1947)
One Bread One Body - Foley

Rejoice in the Promise of Jesus (The Beatitudes) - Delores Dufner
Save Us O Lord - Dufford
Seek O Seek the Lord While He is Near - McAuley
Seek Ye First - Karen Lafferty (b. 1948)
The Beatitudes (Blessed are the poor in spirit) - Kearney - Peter Kearney
The Cry of the Poor - John Foley
The Kingdom of God is Justice and Joy - Bryn Rees (1911-1983)

We are the Light of the World (Blessed are they who are poor in spirit) - Jean Anthony Greif (1889-1981)
We Come to Your Feast - Jan Michael Joncas
We Remember how You Loved Us - Marty Haugen
You who are Weary (Beatitudes version) - Nick Baty ()