GREAT GOD OF WONDERS (TH)

TIMELESS HYMNS - A feature in which I choose a blog from the past, revise it and post it once again.  This hymn was featured previously on May 20, 2012.

          When I was growing up hymns were an integral part of my life.  As we traveled our family would sing for long periods of time.  Those experiences, plus attending many church services, usually at least four times per week, gave me many opportunities to sing and learn the words to many great hymns.  

           But I must admit that during the early years it wasn't always the words that drew me to a hymn.  More often it was the upbeat melody or some special musical feature that captured my attention.  That fact was brought back to me recently when I heard this hymn which I had  not heard in many years.  Immediately I remembered the moving men's part in the chorus.  I can still hear the men singing "Who is a pardoning God like Thee? Or who has grace so rich and free? Or who has grace so rich and free?"  

          But now that I am older I also appreciate the great words that center around our great God and His pardon and grace.  The words were written by Samuel Davies (1723-1761).  I can't find much about the actual writing of the hymn, but Davies was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He also served a term as the fourth President of Princeton University, then known as the College of New Jersey, from 1759 to 1761. One of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia, he was a strong advocate for religious freedom, and helped to institute significant religious reforms in the colony. 

          Davies was also a prolific writer, authoring several hymns and publishing a book of poetry. Musicologists credit Davies with being the first American-born hymn writer. Davies followed the lines of Isaac Watts although his verses are often considered "solid, but somewhat dry and heavy".  

          Davies was born in New Castle County, Delaware. His parents could not afford to send him to college but were determined that he should be trained for the ministry. He studied in Samuel Blair's famous school at Fagg's Manor, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Castle when he was twenty-two,  For over 25 years our family had a family ministry and several times we presented programs in the Presbyterian Church in Faggs Manor. I remember the old sanctuary upstairs, especially since we had to carry all of our heavy equipment up the stairs to get  to the sanctuary.  But little did I know then, until I recently found this information, that Faggs Manor had such a rich tradition dating back over two centuries ago.  

          Anyway, I hope that you are challenged by the words of this week's hymn choice.  Indeed we serve a God of great wonders, a pardoning God with grace so rich and free.

(1)     Great God of wonders! All Thy ways

Are matchless, Godlike and divine;

But the fair glories of Thy grace

More Godlike and unrivaled shine,

More Godlike and unrivaled shine.

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

(2)     Crimes of such horror to forgive,

Such guilty, daring worms to spare;

This is Thy grand prerogative,

And none shall in the honor share,

And none shall in the honor share

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

(3)     Angels and men, resign your claim

To pity, mercy, love and grace:

These glories crown Jehovah's Name

With an incomparable glaze

With an incomparable glaze.

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

(4)     In wonder lost, with trembling joy,

We take the pardon of our God:

Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,

A pardon bought with Jesus' blood,

A pardon bought with Jesus' blood.

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

(5)     O may this strange, this matchless grace,

This Godlike miracle of love,

Fill the whole earth with grateful praise,

And all th'angelic choirs above,

And all th'angelic choirs above.

Who is a pardoning God like Thee?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Or who has grace so rich and free?

Listen to it here.   LISTEN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUm94tI55jI