TIMELESS HYMNS - A feature in which I choose a previous post, revise it and edit it and post it once more. This one was first posted on January 29, 2012
Recently when my wife shared her age with a friend, the friend asked, "How did you get that old so fast?" Yes, time does fly, faster than we ever expected.
On June 12 I celebrated my 77th anniversary of accepting Christ as my personal Savior. Where did the years go? I'm not really sure but I do know that today that relationship is better and sweeter than it ever has been before. And that is the testimony shared by this week's hymn, "Sweeter As The Years Go By".
Recently a local radio station was playing programs from the past and they played an old recording of "The Old Fashioned Revival Hour". After Rudy Atwood's traditional piano opening, the choir sang this week's hymn. I hadn't heard it in years but I sang along and thought how true the words really were, not only years ago, but even more so, today.
No matter how long you have served the Lord, I hope that this is also your testimony. I understand that the lyrics and music were written by Leila N. Morris (1862-1929). She became blind in her early fifties, but that didn't keep her from writing. I am told that she had a 28-foot long blackboard with large music staff lines. Using this special board she was able to see enough to help her write hymns. In all she wrote more than 1,000 hymn texts as well as many of the tunes. Her handicap didn't keep her from doing this and being productive for God.
This hymn was first copyrighted in 1912 and the stanzas were originally for soprano and alto duet. But arrangements for full four part harmony were made by the Lillenas Publishing Company.
Even with her blindness, Mrs. Morris found that her Lord did become sweeter to her as the years went by. Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter, sweeter as the years go by.
May this also be your experience and testimony..
1. Of Jesus' love that sought me,
when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me
back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy,
far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens,
my theme shall ever be.
Sweeter as the years go by,
sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper,
Jesus' love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
2. He trod in old Judea
life's pathway long ago;
The people thronged about Him,
His saving grace to know;
He healed the broken hearted,
and caused the blind to see;
And still His great heart yearneth
in love for even me.
Sweeter as the years go by,
sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper,
Jesus' love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
3. 'Twas wondrous love
which led Him for us to suffer loss,
To bear without a murmur
the anguish of the cross;
With saints redeemed in glory,
let us our voices raise,
Till Heav'n and earth reecho
with our Redeemer's praise.
Sweeter as the years go by,
sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper,
Jesus' love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.
Listen to it here. SWEETER
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