This is a challenge. Setting one of the oldest Christian hymns known, Phillipians 2:6-11, the second reading for this Sunday. This is one of those times when we have to forget the gospel stories and empty tombs etc because we have no guarantee the first people to sing this knew anything other than that Jesus in his death had been exalted by God and was alive to his followers in a new way. ( ..and probably that there was a coming wrath and Jesus would save them from that.)
After 2000 years or so it’s probably out of copyright but just in case I’ve paraphrased a little to set up some rhymes. It’s another repetitive mantra I’m afraid.
He humbled himself
then he was exalted by God.
He was divine
but not clinging to equality with God.
He emptied himself
he became like man a slave.
Yet humbler still
taking death on a cross to save.
God raised him high
with a name above all other names.
So all beings
and ev’ry tongue acclaim.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is Lord.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is Lord.
© 2014 Geoffrey Madden
Download sheet music: Jesus Christ is Lord
I’ve left this in BIAB format and I’ve just noticed I misspelled exalted in the sheet music.