Barry Kauffman, the author of this Hymn Blog, went home to be with the Lord on May 13, 2025.  He enjoyed serving the Lord through music and the hymns. We miss him but rejoice that he is singing and praising the Lord in heaven. We do not have anyone to keep the blog going, but we will keep it active for a time so that you can enjoy what was posted in the past.

PRECIOUS LORD TAKE MY HAND

My life has been filled with so many challenges in recent months - lawyers, doctors, movers, decisions to make, etc.  At times I wish that I had someone to come by, hold my hand and tell me what to do.  But I really do.  The Lord is always there to guide, comfort and provide.  When my way grows. drear,  He is near,  What more could I need?   Thank you Lord.

[Chorus]
Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

[Verse 1]
When my way grows drear (Precious Lord)
Precious Lord, linger near (Precious Lord)
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

[Verse 2]
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

[Chorus]
Precious Lord, take my hand (Precious Lord)
Lead me on, let me stand (Precious Lord)
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home
(Lead me home)

NEARER STILL NEARER

It is so precious to be close to one that you love. That is even more so with the One who loved you enough to give His life to gain your salvation.  We should desire to constantly draw nearer to Him daily.  Then we can experience !His blessings even more deeply.  For He is good

1 Nearer, still nearer— close to Thy heart,
draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;
fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast;
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest,
shelter me safe in that Haven of Rest.

2 Nearer, still nearer— nothing I bring,
naught as an off'ring to Jesus, my King–
only my sinful, now contrite heart;
grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,
grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

3 Nearer, still nearer— Lord, to be Thine,
sin with its follies I gladly resign–
all of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified,
give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

4 Nearer, still nearer— while life shall last,
till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
through endless ages, ever to be
nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,

nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee. 

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

On June 2 my wife and I celebrated our 53rd anniversary and we have so many wonderful memories.  God has been so very good to us despite our recent challenges.  The memories have been precious.

This song mentions "precious father, loving mother,...old home scenes of my childhood" what precious memories given by a loving God.  Precious memories fill my soul!  Thank you Lord.

Precious memories, unseen angels
Sent from somewhere to my soul
How they linger, ever near me
And the sacred past unfolds

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold

Precious father, loving mother
Fly across the lonely years
And old home scenes, of my childhood
In fond memory appears

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold

I remember, mother prayin'
Father too, on bended knee
The sun is sinkin', shadows fallin'
But their prayers still follow me

Precious memories, how they linger
How they ever flood my soul
In the stillness, of the midnight
Precious sacred scenes unfold
Precious memories fill my soul

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

The last few months have been very challenging for me.  Physical needs - wheelchair bound - hospitalizations, the need to downsize, sell and move after over 60 years living here, the inability to do things I could do all my life, frustratioBe still and know that I am God, Be still and know that I am God, Be still and know that I am God. I am the Lord that healeth thee, I am the Lord that healeth thee, I am the Lord that healeth thee. In thee O Lord, do I put my trust, In thee O Lord, do I put my trust, In thee O Lord, do I put my trust.Apr 3

But I am challenged by the scripture " Be still and know that I am God.  I am the Lord that healeth thee. In thee O Lord, do I put my trust, In thee O Lord, do I put my trust, In thee O Lord, do I put my trust."  And indeed in thee do I put my trust.

1 Be still and know that I am God, 

be still and know that I am God, 
be still and know that I am God.

2 I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.
I am the Lord that healeth thee.

3 My boundless mercy shall endure.
My boundless mercy shall endure.
My boundless mercy shall endure.

4 I love you with a steadfast love.
I love you with a steadfast love.
I love you with a steadfast love.

5 In Thee, O Lord, I put our trust, 
in Thee, O Lord, I put our trust, 

in Thee, O Lord, I put our trust. 

COME UNTO JESUS

The savior continues to call those who are in need to come to Him for healing.  If you are weary, broken and needy, don't delay.  Come today!

Come, all you who are weary

Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel
Here bring your wounded heart, broken and needy
Come unto Jesus, mighty to heal

Joy of the comfortless, light for the straying
Hope of the penitent, peace in our strife
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying
"My yoke is easy, My burden is light"

Come unto Jesus, come unto Jesus
Lay down your burdens, He is enough
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love

Come, taste the Bread of Life broken for sinners
Drink from the cup of His promise made sure
Feast at His table as sons and as daughters
Grace overflowing is yours evermore

Come unto Jesus, come unto Jesus
Lay down your burdens, He is enough
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love

Come now and follow Him, this life forsaking
All that was gained count as nothing but loss
Trade all this world for His kingdom unfading
Come unto Jesus, and take up your cross
Come unto Jesus, and take up your cross
Life everlasting He offers to us

Come unto Jesus, come unto Jesus
Lay down your burdens, He is enough
And come unto Jesus, come unto Jesus
Lay down your burdens, He is enough
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love

NOT I BUT THROUGH CHRIST IN ME

If you are like me, so often you try to solve the many challenges of life with your own wisdom and strength.  Yet we usually end up in frustration and failure,  It usually doesn't work.  We may "labor on in weakness" but I am not forsaken for "in my need His power is displayed".

What gift of grace is Jesus, my Redeemer
There is no more for Heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh, how strange and divine, I can sing, "All is mine"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark, but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Savior, He will stay
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

To this I hold, my Shepherd will defend me
Through the deepest valley, He will lead
Oh, the night has been won, and I shall overcome
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future's sure, the price, it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

To this I hold, my sin has been defeated
Jesus, now and ever is my plea
Oh, the chains are released, I can sing, "I am free"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

With every breath, I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day, I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
"Yet not I, but through Christ in me"

To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
All the glory evermore to Him
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
"Yet not I, but through Christ in me"

When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat
"Yet not I, but through Christ in me"
Yet not I, but through Christ in me
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

In the quiet of this hour
As I kneel before You now
I believe Your promise
To be faithful
I don't always understand
What Your perfect will demands
But I learn to trust You more
In Your presence Lord

In Your presence
There is comfort
In Your presence
There is peace
When we seek to know Your heart
We will find such blessed assurance
In Your holy presence Lord

There can be such sweet reward
When we wait upon the Lord
As we take the time
He gives His perfect wisdom
To be found in Him alone
All our deepest secrets known
We're surrounded by His grace
When we seek His face

In Your presence
There is comfort
In Your presence
There is peace
When we seek the Father's heart
We will find such blessed assurance
An ever open door
To know our Savior more
In the presence of the Lord

MY REDEEMER IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE

Song by Steven Curtis Chapman

OverviewLyricsListen

This powerful song has its origin in very difficult and tragic experiences suffered by Steven Curtis Chapman and his family.  And yet in such times he found a Savior who did not forget him but was faithful and true.  Have you found the same thing in your life?

As I look back on the road I've travelled, 
I see so many times He carried me through; 
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life, 
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 

My Redeemer is faithful and true. 
Everything He has said He will do, 
And every morning His mercies are new. 
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 

My heart rejoices when I read the promise 
'There is a place I am preparing for you.' 
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face, 
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true. 
My Redeemer is faithful and true. 

And in every situation He has proved His love to me; 
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me. 

My Redeemer is faithful and true. 
Everything He has said He will do, 
And every morning His mercies are new. 
My Redeemer is faithful and true.