Posts Tagged ‘hymns’
“O risen Lord, to you we come”
HAYDN D.C.M.
O risen Lord, to you we come,
To you we raise our cry;
We come with a united heart,
Our souls to satisfy;
We come as those to whom you gave
The Promise from above:
The Spirit of the living God,
The gift of heavenly love.
We know our lack of heavenly light,
Our need of heavenly heat,
So come to seek your mercy still,
To plead at mercy’s seat:
We have no merit of our own,
No worthiness to claim,
But ask this blessing for your sake,
The glory of your name.
The Spirit whom you gave at first
Again on us bestow;
For more of him your people thirst,
More of your love to know.
Fill us, O Jesus, from on high,
Your Spirit now impart—
With holy fulness, bright and sweet,
Fill every trusting heart!
And then, O Lord, how shall we live!
How speak the truth we know!
How brightly shine in this dark world!
How readily we’ll go!
There is no weakness in your hand,
No coldness in your heart,
So fill us with your Spirit now—
The blessing sought, impart.
©Jeremy Walker
See all hymns and psalms.
“My day is drawing to an end”
Written after spending time talking with a saint who is nearly home.
UPDATE: I wrote this after making my visit on Tuesday 30 June 2020. It reflects some of what we spoke about, but I never read these words to her. The lady with whom I spoke went to be with Christ on the evening of Wednesday 01 July 2020. It makes these truths all the sweeter. She knows most of this now by experience, and is awaiting the dawn.
Belmont C.M.
My day is drawing to an end,
The light of life grows dim;
My thoughts to Christ all sweetly tend,
For soon I’ll be with him.
I must put off this feeble tent,
But death itself defy;
My soul released, I’ll make ascent
To be with Christ on high.
The sufferings of this present time
Soon swallowed up in love;
Out of this pain and darkness climb—
Glory to come above!
My soul with him in perfect joy
Will wait the coming morn;
I know that nothing can destroy
The hope of that new dawn.
In Christ most happy and most blessed,
A body new I’ll take;
And all be peace, delight and rest
When in his form I wake.
And much that I have known below
Shall quickly fade away,
But life in Christ I’ll ever know,
In God’s eternal day.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
Singing in worship
Over at Reformation21, some thoughts on public worship as it relates to our singing:
The New Testament data with regard to singing in the worship of the church is, to put it bluntly, sparse. On the one hand, it seems strange that an issue which excited so little attention in the early church should be the sphere of so many of the worship wars which have erupted in recent years. On the other, perhaps it is precisely because the instruction is sparse and simple that we feel we have a right or even a need to develop our own principles and practice. . . .
I hope that these few thoughts will at least stimulate us to consider once again and more carefully, the hows, whys and wherefores of our sung worship, lifting up heart and voice in the right way and for the right reason, glorifying God and doing good to men as we sing a new song to the Lord.
Read it all if you’re interested.
Review: “The Hymns of Philip Doddridge”
The Hymns of Philip Doddridge
Comp. and ed. Graham C. Ashworth
Soli Deo Gloria, 2010, 215pp., hardback, $24
ISBN 978-1-60178-107-9
This beautifully-presented volume is essentially a conservative reproduction of the third edition of Doddridge’s Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scripture, containing 375 hymns divided into sections on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and particular occasions. In addition to the indices, the editor has added appendices with Doddridge’s key dates, additional hymn listings, some tunes in the public domain that could readily be employed, and – perhaps most interestingly – a theological analysis of the hymns. The hymns themselves are doctrinally potent and structurally sound, if occasionally a little clunky. There is an earthy clarity of expression that brings deep theology within reach of our understanding and affections, for these works lack neither breadth of truth nor depth of experience. That the language and range of reference will sometimes defeat today’s reader and singer speaks more, it might be argued, in criticism of us than of Doddridge. One would probably not contend for Doddridge to take his place in the upper pantheon of British hymnwriters, but those wishing to understand the craft, as well as Doddridge appreciators, will find this a stimulating resource.
“We sing the grace of God above”
Niagara L.M.
We sing the grace of God above,
Of boundless goodness, boundless love;
The story on our hearts engraved
Of sins forgiven, of sinners saved.
Here justice, mercy, wisdom shine –
The outworked plan of grace divine.
In Jesus Christ the cords all meet,
In Christ we see the plan complete.
And did this Christ come from on high,
This sinful soul to justify?
Yes, our Redeemer left his throne
And came to earth to claim his own.
And shall I come to heaven above?
‘Tis all of grace and all of love
That Christ should live and die for me,
And set my soul at liberty.
He died for us, our sins to atone;
He died to make us each his own,
And soon we join our Christ on high:
Elect, redeemed, and glorified.
Then lift your hearts to speak his praise –
The wonders of his matchless grace!
This humble gift we gladly bring:
The praises of our Saviour King.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“When all about me falters”
Rutherford 7 6. 7 6. 7 6. 7 5
When all about me falters
And life itself seems bleak,
When all things seem against me,
Beset about and weak,
I cast myself upon you,
My Saviour, faithful, true,
And cry, with heart o’erflowing:
“I will follow you.”
Should men rise up against me
And threaten me with death;
Should Satan’s storms wash o’er me
And chill my latest breath –
I gladly gaze beyond them,
And Christ is all I view.
I pledge, with love abounding,
“I will follow you.”
When sin’s defeated spirits
Seek still to drag me down,
When, tempted and dejected,
I see my Saviour frown,
Then cast myself before you,
Convicted all anew,
To beg, “Lord, give me grace that
I may follow you.”
I wandered in the desert,
A drought beset my heart;
Elijah’s cry rose in me –
“O Lord, I would depart.”
Then from the blessed Fountain,
As sweet as mountain dew,
I drank, revived, and whispered:
“I will follow you.”
I sighted distant glory,
I turned and set my face
To gaze on things of heaven
And on the God of grace.
The world dimmed fast about me,
Before me my heart flew.
I cried: “To dwell in glory,
I will follow you.”
When I think on my Saviour,
My Christ, the Crucified,
His thorn-crowned brow, his stripes, and
Wounded, bleeding side,
His life, so freely given,
My purpose does renew;
I pray: “Dear Lord, in all things
I will follow you.”
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
Contemporary Christian music – style or substance?
John MacArthur has some stimulating thoughts on modern hymnody here.
“O, Holy Spirit, come!”
Augustine S.M.
O, Holy Spirit, come!
We need your gracious light
To open up our blinded eyes,
And drive forth shades of night.
We search the precious Word,
But stumble as we go.
Come, set our feet upon the Rock
That we the way might know.
Our understanding help;
Our meditation bless;
We, by ourselves, cannot advance –
Our weakness we confess.
Reveal the truth of God,
And give us hearts to love
The promise and direction that
Have come from heaven above.
So grant increasing light,
And open up the Word.
Give ears to hear and eyes to see
The glories of the Lord.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
Congregational singing
Some very stimulating thoughts on some of the reaons behind what can feel to be the slow death of congregational singing can be found here. For those interested, the thoughts seem to have begun here and wandered through here on the way.
Mind you, its worth noting that good hymns, a handheld hymnbook, an organ or piano, and a reformed doctrine of worship don’t necessarily guarantee God-glorifying congregational singing either. Perhaps that’s a matter for another post . . .
“Let my work be right and sure”
St Bees 7 7. 7 7
Let my work be right and sure,
Every thought and word be pure;
Not one sin my heart condone:
Let my life be Christ alone.
Though the task be small or great;
Though the hour be soon or late;
Give my hands the strength to move,
Influenced alone by love.
Though the fight be hard and long;
Though the enemy be strong;
By your grace I cannot fail,
Strong in Christ, I shall prevail.
Lord, I will lie in the dust,
And embrace this, if I must –
Only grant that this should bring
Honour, glory, to my King.
Freely to my Lord I bring
All I am – an offering;
Every portion of my life,
Less of self, and more of Christ.
Heart and mind and flesh and soul,
Christ my model, Christ my goal,
Still with this my constant aim:
To exalt your glorious name.
All I have is not my own,
All I am is yours alone:
Christ to live, and Christ to die,
Christ alone to glorify.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End”
To God be the glory 11 11. 11 11 (without refrain)
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End;
My Saviour, my Shepherd, my Lord, and my Friend;
The Righteous, the Holy, to you we will bring
Our prayers and our praises, a sweet offering.
A Prophet revealing by Spirit and Word;
A King all-triumphant with almighty sword;
A Priest interceding before heaven’s throne,
Whose sacrifice does for his people atone.
The Word Everlasting, Creator of all;
The Root of King David, but laid in a stall;
The light of God’s heaven – no longer afar –
Comes into our darkness, a bright Morning Star.
The promised salvation, God’s Yes and Amen;
The Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was slain;
The one God incarnate, the Son of God’s love,
Who stooped down to conquer from heaven above.
The Truth and the Life and the new, living Way;
The Conqueror of hell, whom e’en devils obey;
All-glorious, victorious, the church’s crowned Head,
The Judge of the living, the Judge of the dead.
The great Lord of Glory, the First and the Last;
The light of the world, and our crucified Christ;
Himself both Redeemer and ransom-price paid,
All glory to him who atonement has made!
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“A mighty host of angels stands”
Constance 8 7. 8 7. D (iambic)
A mighty host of angels stands
Around Christ’s throne in heaven;
Their sinless tongues extol his worth,
All praise to him is given;
With awe recount his mighty works,
His face behold with wonder,
Lift up their voice to hymn the Lord
With a celestial thunder.
A countless host of blood-bought souls
Adds its triumphant measure;
In robes of white they sing with joy,
Their hearts now with their treasure.
This happy throng could quickly tell
Ten thousand grace-filled stories,
But sooner are their lips and hearts
Filled with his radiant glories.
And shall my stumbling tongue on earth
Disrupt this happy chorus?
No – all I am shall glorify
The One who suffered for us!
Though fearsome foes and grievous woes
Our joys are now assailing,
A life safe hid with Christ in God
Calls forth a song unfailing.
So, called by grace and kept by love,
Protected by his power,
Our timeless glories with our God
Draw nearer every hour.
With eyes fixed fast on Christ above,
Unmoved by scorn or pity,
We travel on to where he dwells,
In God’s abiding city.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
If only it weren’t so accurate
I cannot remember who put me on to this, but it’s a sad and accurate reflection of much of sung worship in this (and probably every) age (remember, tripe is not the sole preserve of the 21st century – remember The Rivulet?). How many songs and hymns are about my experience, my longing, my fulfilment, my desires, my felt needs? For those who believe that this is the way forward, the following album is for you . . .
Psalm 107: “Oh give thanks to God our Saviour”
Hyfrydol 8 7. 8 7. D
Psalm 107
Oh give thanks to God our Saviour
For his mercy rich and free;
Sing his praise who find his favour,
Rescued from the enemy.
Every land gives up his chosen,
Gathered up from east and west;
North and south send forth his people,
Each redeemed and fully blessed.
Fainting souls without a city,
Thirst and hunger pierce each breast;
Sheep who need the Shepherd’s pity,
Weak and weary, needing rest.
When their cry goes up to heaven,
When they seek the God of grace,
He delivers them, and leads them
Forth to a blest dwelling place.
Lost souls sit in death’s cold shadow:
Chains, afflictions, bind them tight.
Once they scorned the Lord of glory,
Now they quake before his might.
When such souls cry out to Jesus
Darkness brightens, chains will break:
Death’s cold shadow holds no longer
Those redeemed for Jesus’ sake.
Fools, afflicted in transgression,
Soon arrive at death’s dark gate.
Bowed beneath guilt’s harsh oppression,
Hopeless, lost, for death they wait.
Seek the God who rules in heaven,
To the Lord your cries increase;
He will save from dire destruction,
Give souls healing, grant them peace.
Those who go upon the ocean
There behold God’s mighty hand.
When he raises storms and terrors,
Who before his power can stand?
Turn to Christ and plead his favour,
His word calms the mounting waves;
Find your refuge in the Saviour
Who from every terror saves.
See the increase of the righteous,
How God sets the poor on high!
Therefore bless him, sing his praises,
All his glories magnify.
Thank the Lord for all his goodness,
Poured upon us like a flood;
Understand his lovingkindness,
Ransoming by Jesus’ blood.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“Give me one glimpse of my sin and my shame”
Slane 10 10. 10 10
Give me one glimpse of my sin and my shame;
Each is my own, there are none else to blame.
All are so burdensome, darker than night,
Each bringing nothing but death as my right.
Show me the depth of my fallen estate,
Beaten and crushed with this terrible weight;
God’s law the light that exposes my sin:
Helpless without and unrighteous within.
Give me one glimpse of my Christ on the tree –
Bleeding, and suffering, and dying for me.
Undeserved mercy, unmerited love,
Poured out, unasked for, from heaven above.
Show me how far he descended for me,
Punished for sin so that I might go free.
All I could offer was my wickedness
And in return he gave his righteousness.
Christ broke my chains and he freed me from shame;
Now my desire is to go in his Name:
Let my whole being now thunder abroad
The joy to be found in the way of the Lord.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“Grace abounding! Oh the sweetness”
Sussex 8 7. 8 7
Grace abounding! Oh the sweetness
Of those words to sinful hearts.
Trace the stream of heavenly mercy
That on darkened Calvary starts.
Kings dispensing earthly splendours
Cannot match our gracious Lord:
Grace abounding! Oh the riches
Of the bounty now outpoured.
Grace divine! How freely given!
Grace beyond the scope of thought!
Swell my heart to know the blessing
That with Jesus’ blood was bought.
Christ pursues the wandering sinner;
Christ redeems the wretched soul;
Christ can meet the utmost need, and
Christ can make the sinner whole.
Deepest soundings cannot measure
All the goodness of God’s grace;
How my thankful heart rejoices
At the smile upon God’s face.
Jesus found me, Jesus bought me,
Jesus keeps me, holds me fast;
Christ will bring me safe to glory:
Christ will lead me home at last.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“How can this guilty sinner flee”
Godre’r Coed C.M.
How can this guilty sinner flee
The judgement that is mine?
How can a wretched man escape
The punishment divine?
Tell me where wrath and mercy meet;
Show me God reconciled.
Where can a rebel find true peace,
Rest for a heart so wild?
Come, take the path to Calvary,
Climb up her shadowed side:
This is the way that Jesus went,
This is where Jesus died.
This is where Christ poured out his blood;
This is where peace begins;
This is where wrath and mercy meet:
Pardon for all our sins.
Here is the wisdom of our God,
And here his power divine;
Here is a full atonement made,
And righteousness does shine.
Sinner, would you escape God’s wrath?
Would you be truly blessed?
Here God in Christ is reconciled;
Here is eternal rest.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
“God set before me love”
Bod Alwyn S.M.
God set before me love
To draw my soul to him,
But I was bound in Satan’s chains
And revelled in my sin.
I saw the mercy seat,
Was taught the way to go;
I saw that Christ had died for sin,
But did not want to know.
I would not follow him,
I fought against his call,
But God would have me be his child,
Him be my All in All.
God set before me fear,
Darkness, despair and dread.
He drove me forth into the night
Where angels fear to tread.
As wreckage on the sea
Before God’s storm I fled,
Exhausted, scourged and fearing still,
To where my Saviour bled.
While still his enemy
He suffered for my sin.
As clouds across a storm-swept sky
God sped my soul to him.
Still understanding not
I wept and feared until
At the bright throne of God I found
Grace, love, and mercy still.
©JRW
See all hymns and psalms.
The Wanderer 