 According to Michael Hawn, professor of sacred music at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology, "by World War I, we started to see ourselves in this hymn," and the popularity increased during World War II, when "the wicked oppressing" were understood to include Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.This hymn is often sung at American churches the Sunday before Thanksgiving.This hymn was sung at the Opening of the Funeral Mass for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.