LiturgyTools.net: Hymns for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (27 September 2026)

Hymn and song suggestions, based on themes from the Roman Catholic lectionary for the twenty sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A.

Most are free-to-use (ie public domain or copyright-free) meaning that 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.

26th Sunday of OT, Year C

25th Sunday of OT

27th Sunday of OT

26th Sunday of OT, Year B

Readings

First: Ezekiel 18:25-28 - The sinner who renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest deserves to live.

Psalm 24 - Remember your mercy Lord / Lord make me know your ways / The Lord is good and upright.

Second: Philippians 2: 1-11 - Always consider the other person to be better than yourself - in your minds you must be the same as Christ .

Gospel: - Parable of the disobedient son - also known as the parable of the two sons (one refused to work in the vineyard, one agrees but doesn't actually work).

Themes

Keeping true to God's word. Obedience. Humble service. Christ who obeyed the Father in word and deed. God's mercy and kindness.

In the northern hemisphere, harvest festival is around this time, so hymn suggestions from many sources are based on God's generosity from the earth. This theme is not been included in the list below, you may want to consider the Harvest Festival hymn suggestions in some areas.

Free-use artwork

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 Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Amazing Grace
At the Name of Jesus
Blest are the Pure in Heart - John Keble (1792-1866)
Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord - John Mason Neale (1818-1866)

Firmly I Believe and Truly
For the Beauty of the Earth
Forth in Thy Name O Lord I Go - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
God is Love His the Care
God Loved the World So that He Gave - Crull (1845-1923)
Hail Redeemer King Divine
He is Lord, He is Lord / You are Lord - Unknown
Holy God we Praise Thy Name

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say - Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
In Christ there is no East or West - William A. Dunkerley (pseudonym John Oxenham, 1852-1941)
In the Cross of Christ - Bowring
Jesus Lover of my Soul - Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Lead us Heavenly Father Lead Us - James Edmeston (1791-1867)
Lift up your Hearts (We lift them, Lord, to Thee) - Henry Montagu Butler (1833-1918)
Lord of all Hopefulness

Now Thank we all our God
O Breathe on Me O Breath of God - Edwin Hatch (1835-1889)
O God of Earth and Altar
O God of Love O King of Peace - H. W. (Henry Williams) Baker (1821-1877)
O God Our Help in Ages Past - Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Plenty Good Room - Unknown
Praise my Soul the King of Heaven
Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him - Composite: perhaps John Kempthorne (1775–1838), Richard Mant (1776-1848), Edward Osler (1798-1863)
Praise to the Holiest in the Height
Praise to the Lord the Almighty - Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Simple Gifts ('Tis the gift to be simple) - Joseph Brackett (1797–1882)
The God of Abraham Praise - Thomas Olivers (1725-1799)
The Head that Once Was Crowned With Thorns - Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)
The King of Love my Shepherd Is - George Herbert (1593-1633)
The Name Of Jesus - William Clark Martin (1864–1914)
There is A Balm In Gilead - Unknown
There's a Wideness in God's Mercy (Souls of men, why will ye scatter) - Frederick W Faber ( (1814-1863)
We Walk By Faith - Henry Alford (1810–1871) - the words are free-use, but the most common tune is not
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Hymns which may still be copyright

A New Commandment - Roy Crabtree (c 1930)
Among us and Before Us - Bell (b. 1949) / Maule (1958-2019)
And They'll Know we are Christians by our Love (We are One in the Spirit) - Peter Scholtes (1938-2009)
Christ is King of Earth and Heaven - Ivor James E. Daniel (1883–1963)
Come to Set us Free (come to make us your own) - Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957)
Earthen Vessels (We hold a treasure, not made of gold) - Foley - John Foley (b. 1939)

Faith, Hope and Love - Stephen Dean (b. 1948)
Gathered in The Love of Christ - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Go Into the World - Tom Booth (b. 1961)
Humble King (Oh kneel me down again) - Brenton Brown
I Will Choose Christ - Tom Booth (b. 1961)
I Will Follow (All Your ways are good) - Tomlin / Ingram / Morgan
Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service - Bayly

Make Way, Make Way - Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
Many and One - Sarah Hart and Steve Angrisano and Dwight Liles
Meekness and Majesty (For this is your God) - Graham Kendrick (b. 1950)
My Elder Son, Go Work Today - Rae E. Whitney (1927-2023)
No Greater Love - Jan Michael Joncas (b. 1951)
O God Thy People Gather - Anthony Nye SJ (1932-2022)
Only This I Want - Daniel (Dan) L Schutte (b. 1947)
Our Father we have Wandered - Kevin Nicholls (1929-2006)

Pilgrim’s song - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Return to God - Marty Haugen (b. 1950)
Send us as Your Blessing - Christopher Walker (b. 1947)
Sent Forth by God's Blessing - Omer Westendorf (1916-1997)
Servant Song (Brother let me be Your Servant) - Gillard - Richard Gillard (b. 1953)
Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts - Warner