Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour

Posted on 20th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

Frances Jane van Alstyne, more commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. Hers was an age of evangelistic singing missions, and Fanny Crosby’s hymns were always in request. The late hymnologist William J. Reynolds discovered that the inspiration for this hymn was the result of a visit to a prison by the poet during spring 1868. He notes: “After she had spoken and some of her hymns had been sung, she heard one of the prisoners cry out in a pleading voice, ‘Good Lord, do not pass me by’; Following Doane’s suggestion, she wrote a hymn that evening incorporating the line, “Pass me not, O gentle Saviour.” The hymn gained international recognition when introduced by Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey during their London revivals. According to Dr. Young, “This is Crosby’s first hymn to win worldwide acclaim.”¹

Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain
Saviour, Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in heav’n but Thee?

Refrain

¹https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-pass-me-not-o-gentle-savior

For All the Saints

Posted on 19th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

This hymn for liturgical saints days was written by William Walsham How (1823–1897) and first published in Hymn for Saints’ Days, and Other Hymns (London: Bell & Daldy, 1864 | Fig. 1), compiled by Horatio Nelson (1823–1913, 3rd Earl Nelson of Trafalgar House, Wiltshire). At the time, William How was rector of Whittington, Shropshire. The original text contained eleven stanzas of three lines, beginning “For all Thy saints,” with an Alleluia refrain. It was headed by Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (ESV)¹.

For all the saints
who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith
before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus,
Be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock,
Their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain
In the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness
Drear their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may thy soldiers,
Faithful, true, and bold
Fight as the saints
Who nobly fought of old
And win with them
The victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion,
Fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle,
They in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee,
for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce,
The warfare long,
Steals on the ear
The distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again
And arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening
Brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful
Warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm,
Of paradise, the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But, lo! there breaks
A yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant
Rise in bright array;
The King of glory
Passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds,
from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl
Streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia! Alleluia!

¹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVjLq8s9OY

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Posted on 18th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

The hymn writer, Walter Smith, was born at Aberdeen Dec. 5, 1824, and educated at the Grammar School and University of that City. He pursued his Theological studies at Edinburgh, and was ordained Pastor of the Scottish Church in Chadwell Street, Islington, London, Dec. 25, 1850. He based this text on 1 Timothy 1: 17: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.” This hymn is a strong text of praise to God, who created and sustains the lives of all his creatures. The text focuses on the Creator of the universe, the invisible God whose visible works in nature testify to his glory and majesty. “Light” is the prevailing image in stanzas 1, 2, and 4 (see also Ps. 104:2); our inability to see God is not because of insufficient light but because the “splendour of light hides [God] from view.”¹

Immortal, invisible, God only wise
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love

To all life thou givest, to both great and small
Creator, sustainer, the true life of all
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree
And wither and perish; but naught changeth thee

Great father of glory, pure father of light
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight
And so in thy mercy, Almighty, impart
Through Christ our redeemer, thy grace to our hearts

¹hymnary.org/text/immortal_invisible_god_only_wise

I Sought the Lord

Posted on 17th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

Said by some scholars to have been written in 1878, this anonymous text was published in Holy Songs, Carols, and Sacred Ballads compiled by the Roberts brothers in Boston (1880). Austin Lovelace says of this text: “‘He first loved us.’ This simple yet profound thought is the basis for the hymn. God loved us long before we knew it. We seek God, but already God is holding out a hand waiting for us to take hold of it and be rescued from the seas of life”. This slightly altered version is by favourite¹.

I sought the Lord,
And afterward I knew,
He moved my soul
To seek him, seeking me.
It was not I that found,
O Saviour true,
No, I was found of thee.

Thou didst reach forth
Thy hand and mine enfold,
I walked and sank
Not on the storm-vexed sea.
‘Twas not so much
That I on thee took hold
As thou, dear Lord, on me.

I find, I walk, I love,
But, oh, the whole
Of love is but my answer,
Lord, to thee!
For thou wert long
Beforehand with my soul,
Always thou lovedst me.

Alternative Verse
What but such grace
Can woo my heart to love—
To worship thee
And seek my neighboUr’s best?
When in the end
I reach the heav’ns above,
All was of grace
That lifted me to rest.

¹https://hymnary.org/hymn/PsH/498

The Power of the Cross

Posted on 16th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

Stuart Townend wrote this song with Keith Getty, and it’s one of a number of story songs they have written together. Stuart feels it’s important we understand that our faith is not merely a philosophy, a series of transcendent thoughts about what God might be like, or even a collection of fables and allegories – our faith is rooted in history, in things that have actually happened on this planet, and are backed up by evidence. We have a true story to tell. The song paints the picture of that Good Friday when Christ was tried, beaten, nailed to a cross, suffered and died, and the chorus tries to explain the significance of it all. Then the last verse effectively paints us into that picture, for it is our name written in His wounds.¹

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the power of the cross:
Christ became sin for us,
Took the blame, bore the wrath:
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face
Bearing the awesome weight of sin;
Every bitter thought,
Every evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees,
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
‘Finished!’ the victory cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death,
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the power of the cross:
Son of God, slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

¹stuarttownend.co.uk/song/the-power-of-the-cross/

My Faith Has Found A Resting Place

Posted on 15th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

The author of the hymn is often listed as Lidie H. Edmunds, the pen name for Eliza Edmunds Hewitt. Hewitt was born on June 28, 1851 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation she became a teacher, but shortly thereafter suffered a serious spinal problem when a student struck her with a heavy slate. She was an invalid for the remainder of her life, even though she was able to partially recover. She continued to live in Philadelphia and turned to hymn writing. She was a regular contributor to various Sunday School publications. She also served as Sunday School superintendent for a church and home for orphaned children. One can only imagine how her own experiences inspired the faith and lyrics for this song.¹

My faith has found a resting place,
from guilt my soul is freed;
I trust the ever-living One,
his wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain:
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
it is enough that Jesus died,
and that he died for me.

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt;
a sinful soul, I come to him,
he’ll never cast me out.

Refrain

My heart is leaning on the Word,
the written Word of God,
salvation by my Saviour’s name,
salvation thro’ his blood.

Refrain

My great Physician heals the sick,
the lost he came to save;
for me his precious blood he shed,
for me his life he gave.

Refrain

¹http://dianaleaghmatthews.com/my-faith-found-resting-place/#.Y3Kw6OzP3u5

Whatever My God Ordains Is Right

Posted on 14th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

Samuel Rodigast was a German philosophy teacher at the University of Jena in the late 1600s. While the circumstances that led him to write this hymn are not certain, it may be that a sick friend of his asked him to write a song for his funeral. Catherine Winkworth then went on to translate this hymn from German to English in the mid-1800s¹. I often have to remind myself that “whatever my God ordains is right” whenever I meet trials or face anxious situations.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate’er He doth,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall,
And so to Him I leave it all

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path;
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, I’m drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew,
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

¹https://medium.com/@jamespoteetii/hymn-exegesis-whateer-my-god-ordains-is-right-b2f19f706c51

Jesus Paid It All

Posted on 13th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

On a hot summer Sunday morning in 1865, Mrs. Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was found in her accustomed place in the church choir loft. But as the minister Reverend Schrick’s prayer continued, her thoughts drifted to other things. She pondered the meaning of the cross, and wrote the first lines in the back of her hymnal. Afterward, she presented the pastor with some simple lines of poetry which reminded the pastor that the church organist, John Grape (1835-1915) had composed a new hymn tune, with no words in mind. Stepping into his study, the pastor laid Mrs. Hall’s poem next to the lines of music. In surprise, he saw they fit one another like hand in glove. “Indeed, God works in mysterious ways!” he thought. The words and tune have been partners ever since, in the hymn, “Jesus Paid It All.”¹

I hear the Saviour say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Refrain

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Refrain

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Refrain

¹independentbaptist.com/jesus-paid-it-all1/

Abide With Me

Posted on 12th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

The author of the hymn, Henry Francis Lyte, was an Anglican minister. He was a curate in County Wexford from 1815 to 1818. For most of his life Lyte suffered from poor health, and he would regularly travel abroad for relief, as was customary at that time. The belief is that when Lyte felt his own end approaching at the age of 54, as he developed tuberculosis, he recalled the lines to a hymn he had written so many years before in County Wexford when visiting a friend. The Biblical link for the hymn is Luke 24:29 in which the disciples asked Jesus to abide with them “for it is toward evening and the day is spent”. Using his friend’s more personal phrasing “Abide with Me”, Lyte composed the hymn¹. Below are the full words, but most hymnals and songs omit most of the verses.

Abide with me;
fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens;
Lord with me abide.
When other helpers,
fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless,
abide with me.

Swift to its close,
ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim;
its glories pass away;
Change and decay in,
all around I see;
O Thou who changest not,
abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg,
a passing word,
But as Thou dwell’st
with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending,
patient, free.
Come not to sojourn,
but abide with me.

Come not in terrors,
as the King of kings,
But kind and good,
with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes,
a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners,
thus abide with me.

Thou on my head,
in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious,
and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me,
though I oft left Thee,
On to the close Lord,
abide with me.

I need Thy presence,
every passing hour.
What but Thy grace,
can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself,
my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine,
abide with me.

I fear no foe,
with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight,
tears lose their bitterness
Where is thy sting death?
Where grave thy victory?
I triumph still,
abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross,
before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom,
and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks,
and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death,
Lord, abide with me.

¹wikipedia.org/wiki/Abide_with_Me

See The Destined Day Arise

Posted on 11th Nov 2022 by hymnoftheday

[I’m aware of a formatting issue when reading the posts via email. This is a bug on WordPress’ end and we’re working to get this fixed. Hopefully it doesn’t stop you enjoying these wonderful hymns!]

I discovered this hymn through Sovereign Grace’s recording during the T4G conference. The original hymn was written by Venantius Fortunatus, who in 599, became the bishop of Abbey of St. Croix in Poitiers, France. It was then paraphrased by Anglican minister Richard Mant in 1837, then updated and popularised by modern hymn writer Matt Merker in 2014.

See the destined day arise!
See a willing sacrifice!
Jesus, to redeem our loss,
Hangs upon the shameful cross;
Jesus, who but You could bear
Wrath so great and justice fair?
Every pang and bitter throe,
Finishing Your life of woe?

Refrain
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Lamb of God for sinners slain!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus Christ, we praise Your name!

Who but Christ had dared to drain,
Steeped in gall, the cup of pain
And with tender body bear
Thorns and nails and piercing spear?
Slain for us, the water flowed,
Mingled from Your side with blood;
Sign to all attesting eyes
Of the finished sacrifice.

Refrain

Holy Jesus, grant us grace
In that sacrifice to place
All our trust for life renewed,
Pardoned sin, and promised good.
Grant us grace to sing Your praise
‘Round Your throne through endless days,
Ever with the sons of light:
“Blessing, honour, glory, might!”