Welcome!  Hymns have been and continue to be a real source of inspiration to me.  My desire in this blog is to share special hymns with my readers hoping that the words will minister to them, especially in times of great personal need.  If one of these hymns ministers to you, please take time to leave a comment so that I know that my blog is helping others as much as it helps me. Sometimes I will also provide a link where you can go to hear the hymn played.  So, please join me here each week and sing along as we praise God together.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

OPEN OUR EYES

          Being blind physically must be one of the most difficult handicaps that some must live with.  So many of normal life activities are very difficult or even impossible without sight.  And, in most cases, there is no way to restore your sight.  And yet many people have successfully lived though being blind physically. I think of someone like Fanny Crosby whose music has ministered to multitudes over the years.
          But there is a more serious blindness – spiritual blindness.  It's a condition everyone is born with.  But there is a cure.  God has provided a free cure. 
Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
          
With our eyes opened, we see in God's Word the living God who graciously reveals himself to us. We learn how to live the way God intends for us. We ultimately find the "wonderful things" of God's grace and mercy—above all, in God's gift of Jesus—and we live in gratitude for all he has done for us.
          Now 
every speaker has times when he/she feels like he/she is speaking to a brick wall. Youth speakers might experience this more than most other speakers.  How can God possibly get to a group of people when their eyes and ears are closed? Robert Cull felt that way when he was speaking to a group of young people in a Christian school in Hawaii. As long as he was entertaining them, it was okay.  But when he started drawing them to Jesus Christ, he lost them.
          
Bob felt defeated and wondered if it was hopeless. That's when God seemed to encouraged him to write a prayer song to "reach closed-hearted people". After praying about it for half an hour, he says, "the song, like an answer to my prayer, fell into my head".  Since that time, this song has been translated and recorded in dozens of languages. The song was copyrighted in 1976 and published by Maranatha! Music. 
           The song is really a prayer that we could sing and recite daily.  Remember
Psalm 119:18, "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him.

Open our ears Lord
And help us to listen,
Open our eyes Lord
We want to see Jesus.

Listen to it here.  EYES

 



Sunday, March 10, 2024

FATHER, WHATE'ER OF EARTHLY BLISS

          The Lord has oftened used the sufferings and difficult experiences of his children to encourage others, often through the music which they compose.  Such was the case with Anne Steele (1717-1778), the daughter of a Baptist preacher and timber merchant, William Steele.
          Steele faced many challenges.  She lost her mother at age 3, a potential suitor who drowned at age 20, her step mom at 43 and her sister-in-law at 45.  She spent many years caring for her father until his death in 1769. She suffered a severe hip injury. For most of her life she also exhibited symptoms of malaria, including persistent pain, fever, headaches and stomach aches.  She was bed ridden for some years before her death.
          Out of her suffering, she began writing devotional material and her ministry along side her dad to his congregation blossomed. In her mid-forties, she submitted her. Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional for publication.  Of this work her father said "I pray God to make it useful and keep her humble."
          So many of his poems were converted to hymns that Anne is remembered as one of the foremost women hymnists of the eighteenth century.
          This week's hymn choice is an interesting prayer of hers.  She asks for a calm and thankful heart and God's presence on her journey here below.
          When the hour of her journey's end finally came, she welcomed its arrival, and though her feeble body was excruciated with pain, her mind was perfectly serene. She took the most affectionate leave of her weeping friends around her, and at length, the happy moment of her dismission arising, she closed her eyes, and with these animating words on her dying lips, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," gently fell asleep in Jesus.

1    Father, whate’er of earthly bliss
Thy sov'reign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne of grace,
Let this petition rise.

2    Give me a calm, a thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessing of Thy grace impart,
And let me live to Thee

 

3    Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine

My life and death attend;

Thy presence thro' my journey shine,
And crown my journey’s end.

The music can be heard here.   CALM

 


Sunday, March 3, 2024

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Once a month I take time to share one of my favorite hymns.  This month I have chosen Blessed Assurance which has been a personal favorite of mine for many years.

 

          How could I not pick hymns by Fanny Crosby among my favorites? All of us have enjoyed and have been touched by the many words written by the great blind hymn writer. 

          The themes for her hymns were often suggested by visiting ministers who wished to have a new song on a particular subject. It is amazing that, especially for a blind person, someone could write on this variety of spiritual truths and experiences with such proliferation. And with such speed.

          For a considerable period of her life, while under contract to a music publisher, she wrote three new hymns each week. She used over 200 pen names. Many of her original texts are still being uncovered and perhaps might be found and published in the future. 

          About 500 of her hymns were accompanied by the music of an amateur musician, Mrs. Phoebe Knapp, the wife of the second president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She attended the same church as Fanny and kept a pipe organ in her apartment to help her compose. One day Fanny was visiting her friend Phoebe as the Knapp home was having the large pipe organ installed. The organ was incomplete so, using the piano, Phoebe played a new melody she had just composed. "What do you think the tune says?" she asked. "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby. And with that inspiration, Fanny penned the words of this great hymn of testimony which is still being sung today in many churches. 

          And what a powerful message it contains. We have the assurance that Jesus is ours and His praise should be on our lips all day long. I also marvel at how a blind person can talk about sight as she does with the phrase "Visions of rapture now burst on my sight." Then later she says that she is "watching and waiting, and looking above". Then she ends with the testimony "filled with His goodness, lost in His love". 

          There isn't too much that we can count on today in this changing world. But, what a joy to have this blessed assurance in your life, that Jesus, your Savior, is yours for eternity.  Is this your story?  Is this your song?  May your heart be filled with His praises all the day long.

 

(1)   Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

 

(2)   Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

 

(3).  Perfect submission, all is at rest

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior, all the day long.

 

Listen to it here.  LISTEN

 


Sunday, February 25, 2024

WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING (TH)

 TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014. 

          I clearly remember a few years ago sitting with some couples who were several years older than I was.  They were talking about retirement and how they had also retired from all their responsibilities at church.  They said that it was time to step aside and let somebody else do it.  I was really taken back by this discussion and while I just listened, I thought how can one retire from serving the Lord, especially when there are so many opportunities and needs all around us.    
          Now I realize that as one gets older there are some things that become more difficult to do, especially with physical changes.  But one can adjust and find ways to use the gifts that God has given.  And retirement does provide more time to serve the Lord.  Retirement in the Lord's work should not be an option.  Readjustment may be a better choice.  
          Unfortunately, while I have been talking about older folks, the very same problem exists with others who are much younger.  All sorts of things attract us and take us away from serving the Lord.   Boats, cabins, races, sports, vacations, family, hobbies take us away from serving and worshipping on Sunday.  Jobs, activities, recreation, hobbies limit our availability to serve during the week.  More and more we have to hire professionals to cover areas of service and outreach once done by volunteers.  Maybe we need to memorize and daily quote John 9:4, "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work."  But do we really believe that.
            Is the night coming soon?  I think so.  It may have been that verse that was behind the writing of this week's hymn, "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes". Sometimes dated 1829, the text was written by an unknown author. In many books the song appears as "Anonymous." Some authorities believe that it is from the American folk tradition. 
          In other books, it is attributed to Mrs. Elizabeth King Mills (1805-1829). The daughter of Philip King, she married Thomas Mills, who was a Member of Parliament. No other information about her is available, except that she was a poet who produced what was once a well known hymn, "We Speak of the Realms of the Blest."  But no matter who wrote it, this hymn reminds us of the urgency of serving, while we still can. 
          The stanzas share the story of the Christian's pilgrimage from earth to heaven. In stanza 1 we are told that heaven is a land of rest for which we sigh. In stanza 2 we are told that in contrast this earth is not our home.  In stanza 3 we are told that, therefore, we must flee to Jesus Christ for our rest.  In stanza 4 we are told that Christ will help us through death.  In stanza 5 we are told that finally our tears shall be wiped away.  But the refrain sounds out the commitment, we'll work till Jesus comes ... and we'll be gathered home! 
           Have you "retired" from serving the Lord faithfully?  Maybe this week we need to renew our commitment to serve and share the Gospel with the many that need the good news.  The night is rapidly approaching when we can work no more.

 

(1)    O land of rest, for thee I sigh!

When will the moment come

When I shall lay my armor by

And dwell in peace at home?

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

 

(2)"No tranquil joys on earth I know, 

No peaceful, sheltering dome.

This world's a wilderness I know; 

This world is not my home."

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

 

(3)   To Jesus Christ I fled for rest;

He bade me cease to roam,

And lean for comfort on His breast

Till He conduct me home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

 

(4)    I sought at once my Savior's side;

No more my steps shall roam.

With Him I'll brave death's chilling tide

And reach my heav'nly home.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

 

(5)    Our tears shall all be wiped away, 

When we have ceased to roam;

And we shall hear our Father say, 

'Come, dwell with Me at home.'"

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

 

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

 


Sunday, February 18, 2024

GOD IS THE REFUGE OF HIS SAINTS

          Isaac Watts was truly one of the great hymn writers of all time.  He is said to have written over 600 hymns, 52 other works, including a book of logic used widely in universities, and on grammar, astronomy, philosophy and geography.  But in addition to his scholarly books, he wrote most of his hymns in his early twenties. 
          In 1739 he suffered a stroke that left him able to speak but unable to write.  A secretary was provided to transcribe his dictated poems and books.  But over the years he became increasingly weak and eventually bedridden.   He died in 1748.
          Apparently, he was not a very handsome man.  Standing five feet fall, he had an outsized head and a prominent nose.  His skin was tallowy.  One woman, Elizabeth Singer, having never met him face-to-face, fell in love with him through his hymns and poems.  But when she met him she was unsettled.   He fell in love with her but she couldn't bring herself to marry him.  Later she said "I only wish I could admire the casket (Jewelry box) as much as I admire the jewel."
          And, unfortunately that was the end of that brief romance.
          This particular hymn was one of the first written by Watts.  It was inspired by Psalm 46.  "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." Psalm 46:7
          God is our refuge, 
our safe place, our retreat, the place we go when we are afraid. And there is a lot of fear going around today. God is also our strength or "power." This is the same word that Jesus uses in in Acts 1:8 when he promises to give us "power" with the coming of the Holy Spirit who now lives within us.
          
But in the midst of these anxieties, we are reminded that we have the strong refuge, our loving God as we read Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Here God is presented as a refuge and fortress for His people in a time of earthly upheaval.

           Centuries may have passed but God is still the refuge of His saints. He provides sweet peace and new strength to fainting souls.

           Dear saint may He be your refuge today.

 Listen to it here.   REFUGE

 

God is the refuge of His saints,
When storms of sharp distress invade;
Ere we can offer our complaints,
Behold Him present with His aid.


Let mountains from their seats be hurled
Down to the deep, and buried there;
Convulsions shake the solid world:
Our faith shall never yield to fear.

Loud may the troubled ocean roar;
In sacred peace our souls abide;
While every nation, every shore,
Trembles, and dreads the swelling tide.

There is a stream, whose gentle flow
Supplies the city of our God,
Life, love, and joy, still guiding through,
And wat'ring our divine abode.

That sacred stream-Thy holy Word-
That all our raging fear controls;
Sweet peace Thy promises afford,
And give new strength to fainting souls.

Zion enjoys her Monarch's love,
Secure against a threatening hour;
Nor can her firm foundations move,
Built on His truth, and armed with power.

 

 



Sunday, February 11, 2024

BEHOLD THE GLORIES OF THE LAMB

          Many hymns have unusual backgrounds.  Such is this hymn penned in 1707 by a young man, Isaac Watts, when he was only about 20.
          The author's father, Isaac Watts, Sr., was a clothier and a deacon in the Above Bar Congregational Church in Southampton, England.  He and his wife, Sarah, were "Dissenters", Non-Anglicans.  This was a treasonous offense in those days.  About the time that their son prematurely arrived, the elder Watts was arrested.  It is said that Sarah nursed her newborn son while seated on a stone outside the prison.

          After Watts was released, they discovered that they had a very gifted son. He loved books. He learned Latin at age four, Greek at nine and Hebrew at thirteen.  He loved rhyme and verse and wrote poetry.
          After Isaac graduated from grammar school, a wealthy friend offered to send him to school in Oxford.  But he declined since that would have required his becoming Anglican.  Instead, he enrolled in a college level school for Dissenters in Stoke Newington, London.  There he excelled.
         After graduation from college, he returned to Southampton.  There he complained to his father about the dismal singing at church.  Only arrangements of the Psalms were used.  Martin Luther taught his followers to sing hymns, but John Calvin allowed only the singing of the scriptures. Watts argued with his father that singing only the Psalms made them miss important New Testament truth.  His father then challenged him to write a hymn.
          Centering his thoughts on Revelation 5, he did so.  This week's hymn is his first.  Once his congregation was convinced of what Isaac was saying, he began turning out a new hymn each week.  This hymn reveals the amazing breadth of his Biblical knowledge. There are allusions to many Scriptural passages.
           Watts went on to write over 600 hymns, earning him the title of "Father of English Hymnody."

1      Behold the glories of the Lamb
amidst His Father's throne!
amidst His Father's throne!
Prepare new honors for His name,
and songs before unknown,
and songs before unknown.

2     Let elders worship at His feet,
the church adore around,
the church adore around,
with vials full of odors sweet,
and harps of sweeter sound,
and harps of sweeter sound.

3    "Worthy the Lamb that died," they cry,
"to be exalted thus,
to be exalted thus!"
"Worthy the Lamb," let us reply,
"for He was slain for us,
for He was slain for us."

4    Now to the Lamb that once was slain
be endless blessings paid;
be endless blessings paid;
salvation, glory, joy, remain
forever on Thy head,
forever on Thy head.

5    Thou hast redeemed our souls with blood,
hast set the pris'ners free,
hast set the prisoners free,
hast made us kings and priests to God,
and we shall reign with Thee,
and we shall reign with Thee.

6    To Him who sits upon the throne,
the God whom we adore,
the God whom we adore,
and to the lamb that once was slain,
be glory evermore,
be glory evermore.

Listen to this old hymn being sung.   BEHOLD

 

Sunday, February 4, 2024

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS

Once a month I take time to share one of my favorite hymns.  This month I have chosen What A Friend We Have In Jesus" which has been a personal favorite of mine for years.

 

          Some hymns are my favorites because of the lyrics, some because of the melody, and some because of the story of its writing.  "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" qualifies for me in all three categories.

          I have found Him faithful in bearing my sins and griefs and giving me peace in return.  Truly He knows my every weakness and He shares all my sorrows.  He shields me and is my source of solace in this crazy world.  What a friend He is to me!  And I can always go to Him and He is there.  The words are my testimony and that makes it a favorite.

          But the story behind the hymn also makes it a favorite.  Joseph Medlicott Scriven was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1819. He fell for a lovely young woman, but on the eve of their wedding she accidentally drowned. Scriven never recovered from the shock. 

         The Irishman began to wander, hoping to forget his sorrow. At age 25, he finally settled in Canada. His faith led him to do menial tasks for poor widows and the sick and He often worked for no wages. He later fell in love again and planned to marry a wonderful Canadian woman. But again, tragedy struck. His fiance died after contracting pneumonia. 

          In 1855, a friend visited an ill Scriven and discovered a poem that he had written for his ailing mother in faraway Ireland. Scriven didn't have the money to visit her, but he sent her the poem as an encouragement. He called it "Pray Without Ceasing." Scriven never intended for the poem to be published, but it made its rounds, and was set to music in 1868 by musician Charles Converse, who titled it "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Scriven died in 1886, ironically, in an accidental drowning. In his memory, the town of Port Hope Ontario erected a monument with this inscription from Scriven's famous song: "In His arms He'll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there". 

          Since its publication, this music has been a real inspiration and comfort to many. Possibly today you are facing a trial and need a friend. Jesus is there to bear that burden for you. Just take it to Him in prayer.

(1) What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our

sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to

God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what

needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to

God in prayer.

 

(2) Have we trials and temptations? Is

there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will

all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to

the Lord in prayer.

 

(3) Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to

the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take

it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield you; you

will find a solace there.


Listen to it here.  LISTEN

Sunday, January 28, 2024

WHEREVER HE LEADS I'LL GO. (TH)

       TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014. 

          Mark 8:34 - "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  
          Opportunities to follow and serve the Lord come to us in many ways.  Sometimes the Lord calls us to actually pick up and move, maybe to a foreign country, to serve him.  Sometimes He provides us with a new job opportunity that will allow us to share our testimony and faith in our community.  

          Sometimes He may call us to go visit and befriend a neighbor.  Sometimes the opportunity might be to visit one who is homebound and needs encouragement.  And sometimes we may be led to join a ministry in our church or in our community where we can serve him and others.  

          Unfortunately, often we are too busy or too tied to our present schedule to hear and/or respond to His leading.  And then we miss the blessing that He has in store for those who follow up.  It is one thing to say wherever you lead Lord, I will follow.  It is another thing to actually obey and follow Him and serve Him wherever He is leading.  Often it is our lack of faith that keeps us from responding when we see the obstacles and the changes that obeying would require us to make.  We are just not ready to surrender our all. 

          In January of 1936, the Southern Baptist songwriter B. B. McKinney was leading the music at the Alabama Sunday School Convention. The featured speaker was the Reverend R. S. Jones, McKinney's friend of many years. Because of ill health Jones had recently returned from missionary service in Brazil.  The two men were visiting over dinner one evening when Jones revealed to Dr. McKinney that his physicians would not allow him to return to South America.  

          When asked about his future plans, the missionary said, "I don't know, but wherever He leads I'll go."  The words stuck in Dr. McKinney's mind, and before the convention's evening session began, he had written both the words and music of this song.  At the close of Mr. Jones' message, Dr. McKinney related this story and sang "Wherever He Leads I'll Go" to the congregation.  

          Consider the words of this hymn of consecration this week and see if there are things standing in your way of responding to the Master who gave His life for you.  Maybe it is time to obey and follow Him, no matter what it may cost you, as you see the needs and opportunities that He reveals to you.

 

 

(1)    "Take up thy cross and follow Me,"

I heard my Master say;

"I gave My life to ransom thee,

Surrender your all today."

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

 

(2)    He drew me closer to His side,

I sought His will to know;

And in that will I now abide,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

 

(3)    It may be through the shadows dim

Or o'er the stormy sea:

I take my cross and follow Him,

Wherever He leadeth me.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

 

(4)    My heart, my life, my all I bring 

To Christ who loves me so;

He is my Master, Lord, and King,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

Wherever He leads I'll go,

Wherever He leads I'll go,

I'll follow my Christ who loves me so,

Wherever He leads I'll go.

 

You may listen to it here.    LISTEN


Sunday, January 21, 2024

THE LORD BLESS YOU

          During the decades of my life one of my best memories are experiences singing with many excellent choirs.  I remember the performances of many classic hymns and stirring cantatas.

          But my best memories of these choir performances were the acapella presentations of "The Lord Bless You And Keep You".  Not only did the words always touch me, but the "Sevenfold Amen" was always a touching and memorable close.

          The author of this classic number was Peter Lutkin (1858-1931) who specialized in writing unaccompanied choral music, primarily for his own choir.  He wrote at least thirty hymn tunes, numerous songs for children, and sixty-five choral anthems.
          Lutkin was born in Wisconsin.  His parents emigrated to the U.S. from Denmark in 1844.  He attended Chicago public schools and was a chorister and organist at St. Peter and St. Paul's Episcopal Church.  At age thirteen he began formal music training, stu
dying organ and music theory.  From 1881–1884, Lutkin followed the practice of many serious composers and performers by studying in Europe. His years abroad took him to Berlin, Vienna, and Paris.

          The lyrics of this hymn are found in Numbers 6:24-36, "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
          The Dead Sea Scrolls were, until recently, the oldest copies of Biblical text.  But in 1979, Villanova professor, Judith Hadley, was assisting archaeologist Gabriel Barkay, in excavating a site in Jerusalem's Hinnom Valley.  In a burial cave, she saw something resembling the metal cap of a pencil.  It was a sensational find, a tiny silver scroll of great antiquity.  Another was found nearby.   These dated to seven centuries before Christ.  They were so small and fragile that it took years to clean and open them.
          When scientists finally unrolled them, they found the world's oldest extant copy of a biblical text.  And what was the text they found?  The words to Numbers 6:24-36.

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord lift His countenance upon you.
And give you peace, and give you peace.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you.
And be gracious, and be gracious.
The Lord be gracious unto you.
Amen, amen, amen,
Amen, amen, amen
Amen

Listen to it here,  BLESS YOU.