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, November 22, 2015

BLESSED BE THE NAME


          While searching for a hymn of praise and thanksgiving to highlight during this Thanksgiving week, I was drawn to the familiar hymn "Blessed Be The Name" which is also sometimes listed by the title "All Praise To Him Who Reigns Above".  In singing the words blessed be the name we recognize God's sovereignty and worthiness of our praise. And I trust that you will do that this week as you meditate upon the words.  All believers in Christ have so much to be thankful for and our hearts should overflow as we thank Him and praise Him for all He has done for us.  Now when doing some basic research on the background of this hymn I was surprised to find that there are really two different versions of it.  The first version which I've never heard before contains words written by Charles Wesley in his hymn "O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing".  Talp E. Hudson (1803 - 1901) took the words of Wesley's hymn and replaced the second and fourth lines of several stanzas with the phrase "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord!".  The anonymous refrain of this song was likely of nineteenth century camp meeting origin.  Some think Hudson wrote the chorus in 1887.  However, the verses that I am familiar with were written by William H. Clark (1854 - 1925). The use of the refrain with Clark's words appeared in Hymns of the Christian Life, in 1891, where the arrangement of the tune was credited to William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921).  Clark's stepmother, after William's conversion in 1873, predicted that one day he would be a bishop. He served the Susquehanna Conference of his denomination as a pastor and district superintendent from 1876 until 1919, when his stepmother's prediction came true. Meanwhile, he had been a member of the joint commission of the Free and Wesleyan Methodist Churches which compiled the Hymnal of 1910, and contributed some items to it.  While we don't know what caused him to rewrite the verses that Hudson had created from Wesley's hymn, it is obvious that his writing provides many reasons why we should praise and thank the Lord.  We are reminded that God the Father, who reigns above, gave His Son, Jesus, to die for us and to redeem those of us who were ruined by the fall.  We are also reminded that today Jesus is at the Father's right hand and His name is exalted more and more, above all names.  Sadly, to much of today's world, His name is just a curse word or a point of division.  But to those of us who have been redeemed, it is precious and the source of our hope, praise and thanksgiving.  And despite today's rejection by so many, someday every knee shall bow to Him (Romans 14:11).  May we exalt and praise His holy name daily in our lives.  The final two verses remind us of some of the titles for Christ that are in themselves a means of glorifying Him, as well as showing what He has done and will yet do -  Redeemer, Savior, Friend of Man, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Conqueror.  "Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore." (Psalm 113:2)   Blessed be the name of the Lord!  


1. All praise to Him who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!

2. His name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father's own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!

3. Redeemer, Savior, friend of man
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation's plan,
For Thou hast died for all.
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!

4. His name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth's kingdoms conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name!
Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

(I can't help but add this personal note and opinion.  I often hear from folks who are critical of today's praise and worship music.  They say things like it is "7-11" music or its just repetition of simple phrases.  To those folks I like to say, look at the words and structure of many of the hymns that we have sung for years.  This week's hymn for example repeats the same phrase over and over in each chorus.  And yet it is effective and meaningful.  Maybe a better evaluation of both the new and old music is, does it honor the Lord?)

  

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