Monthly Archives: Dec 2023

He the Pearly Gates Will Open

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Today’s hymn is written by Fredrick Arvid Blom (1867-1927) near Enköpking, Sweden, where he received his certificate as a “chief mate” sailor.  After emigrating to America in the 1890’s, Blom joined the Salvation Army in Chicago, Illinois.  Afterward, he attended North Park College and Seminary, and served as a minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. However, he fell away from the Gospe and turned from Godl, ending up in jail for drunkenness.  He later said he became embittered with himself and the world.  After leaving jail, Blom underwent a spiritual revival, and wrote the hymn “He the Pearly Gates Will Open” in 1917 to describe his rebirth. The hymn was translated from Swedish to English by Nathaniel Carlson in 19351. Enjoy this rendition by Red Mountain

Love divine, so great and wondrous, 
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime, 
Coming from the heart of Jesus, 
Just the same through tests of time!

Refrain
He the pearly gates will open, 
So that I may enter in; 
For He purchased my redemption 
And forgave me all my sin.

Like a dove when hunted, frightened, 
As a wounded fawn was I; 
Brokenhearted, yet He healed me. 
He will heed the sinner’s cry. [Refrain] 

Love divine, so great and wondrous! 
All my sins He then forgave; 
I will sing His praise forever, 
For His blood, His power to save. [Refrain] 

In life’s eventide, at twilight,  
At His door I’ll knock and wait; 
By the precious love of Jesus, 
I shall enter heaven’s gate. [Refrain]

1hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2023/08/19/he-the-pearly-gates-will-open/

Hymn of the Day

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As With Gladness Men of Old 

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Today’s hymn is an Epiphany hymn written by Englishman William C. Dix (1837-1898). Trained in the business world, he became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Dix published various volumes of his hymns, such as Hymns of Love and Joy (1861) and Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867). A number of his texts were first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861)1. Enjoy!

As with gladness men of old 
did the guiding star behold; 
as with joy they hailed its light, 
leading onward, beaming bright; 
so, most gracious God, may we 
evermore be led to Thee.

As with joyful steps they sped 
to that lowly cradle-bed, 
there to bend the knee before 
Him whom heav’n and earth adore; 
so may we with willing feet 
ever seek Thy mercy-seat.

As they offered gifts most rare 
at that cradle rude and bare; 
so may we with holy joy, 
pure, and free from sin’s alloy, 
all our costliest treasures bring, 
Christ, to Thee, our heav’nly King.

Holy Jesus, every day
keep us in the narrow way;
and, when earthly things are past,
bring our ransomed lives at last
where they need no star to guide,
where no clouds Thy glory hide.

In that heav’nly country bright 
need they no created light; 
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown, 
Thou its Sun which goes not down; 
there for ever may we sing 
alleluias to our King.

1wikipedia.org/wiki/As_with_Gladness_Men_of_Old

Hymn of the Day

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The Strife Is O’er, The Battle Done

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The hymn ‘The Strife is O’er, the Battle Done’ started life as the 17th century Latin hymn “Finita iam sunt proelia”, which was then composed into English by hymn writer and Anglican priest Francis Pott in 1861. Pott also wrote a number of other hymns, including ‘Angel Voices, Ever Singing’, ‘Christ’s foe becomes his soldier’ and ‘The Shepherd now was smitten’.1 Enjoy!

The strife is o’er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions has dispersed.
Let shouts of holy joy outburst.
Alleluia!

The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead.
All glory to our risen Head.
Alleluia!

He closed the yawning gates of hell;
the bars from heaven’s high portals fell.
Let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death’s dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live and sing to thee.
Alleluia!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! 

1http://www.classical-music.com/articles/the-strife-is-the-battle-done-lyrics

Ivory Palaces

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Today’s hymn is from Henry Barraclough. From 1911-13, he was secretary to Member of Parliament George Scott Robertson. He then joined the Chapman-Alexander evangelistic team as a pianist, and traveled with them to America and remained there. He fought in World War I, rising to the rank of sergeant major, then became secretary, and later an administrator, of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (1919-611. Barraclough has said his inspiration came to write this hymn when he was a young man and heard a sermon on Philippians 2:6-8, and Christ emptying himself. Enjoy!

My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
and myrrh their texture fills;
its fragrance reached to this heart of mine,
with joy my being thrills.

Refrain
Out of the ivory palaces
into a world of woe,
only his great eternal love
made my Saviour go.

His life had also its sorrows sore,
for aloes had a part;
and when I think of the cross he bore,
my eyes with teardrops start.

His garments, too, were in cassia dipped,
with healing in a touch;
each time my feet in some sin have slipped,
he took me from its clutch.

In garments glorious he will come,
to open wide the door;
and I shall enter my heavenly home,
to dwell forevermore.

1hymnary.org/text/my_lord_has_garments_so_wondrous_fine

The Word Made Flesh

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Today’s hymn is a collaboration between theologian R C Sproul and composer Jeff Lippencott. Writing of this project, Sproul says “We glorify and enjoy the Lord most fully in worshiping Him. Our God, who is the standard of truth, goodness, and beauty, deserves the truest, best, and most beautiful worship we can offer. And as we offer such worship, we are shaped more fully into His image. Jeff Lippencott and I have produced this second collection of hymns and sacred music with the goal of helping the church offer worship that is true, good, and beautiful. We pray that these songs will bring glory to our Creator and lead His people into a greater love for Him.”1 A lovely hymn to mediate on this Advent and Christmas; enjoy!

We confess the mystery and wonder
Of God made flesh.
And rejoice in our great salvation
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
With the Father and the Holy Spirit
The Son created all things
Sustains all things
And makes all things new.
Truly God, He became truly man
Two natures in one person.
He was born of the Virgin Mary
And lived among us.
Crucified, dead, and buried
He rose on the third day.
Ascended to heaven, and will come
Again, in glory and judgement.
For us, He kept the law
Atoned for sin, and satisfied God′s wrath.
He took our filthy rags
And gave us His righteous robe.
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King
Building His church
Interceding for us
And reigning over all things.
Jesus Christ is Lord
We praise His holy Name
Forever, forever Amen!

1ligonier.org/posts/saints-zion-new-collection-sacred-music-rc-sproul-and-jeff-lippencott

Hymn of the Day

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Come, Ye Disconsolate

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Today’s hymn was written by Irishman Thomas Moore (1779-1852), a friend of the famous poets Lord George Gordon Byron and Percy Shelley. Following his publication of Irish Melodies(1807-1809), Moore was dubbed the “Voice of Ireland”. In spite of the popularity of the poet, it was an American educator, choral conductor, and church musician, Thomas Hastings (1784-1872), who altered the text and added a stanza, popularising it when it was published in Spiritual Songs for Social Worship (1831)1. Enjoy!

Come, ye disconsolate, where’er you languish; 
come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. 
Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish; 
earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot heal. 

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying, 
hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure! 
Here speaks the Comforter, in mercy saying, 
“Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot cure.” 

Here see the bread of life; see waters flowing 
forth from the throne of God, pure from above. 
Come to the feast prepared; come, ever knowing 
earth has no sorrows but heaven can remove

1umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-come-ye-disconsolate

Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee

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Today’s hymn comes from a Latin text “Dulcis Jesus memoria” and it is generally ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux; the earliest manuscript containing the poem dates from the turn of the 12th century, when Bernard was a child. It was later translated into English by Edward Caswall in 18491. Enjoy!

Jesus, the very thought of thee 
with sweetness fills the breast; 
but sweeter far thy face to see, 
and in thy presence rest.

O hope of every contrite heart, 
O joy of all the meek, 
to those who fall, how kind thou art! 
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this 
nor tongue nor pen can show; 
the love of Jesus, what it is, 
none but his loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be thou, 
as thou our prize wilt be; 
Jesus, be thou our glory now, 
and through eternity.

1 https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-jesus-the-very-thought-of-thee

Hymn of the Day

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See the Conqu’ror Mounts in Triumph

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Today’s hymn is focused on Christ’s Ascension. It was written by a 19th-century English bishop named Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1855), the nephew of poet William Wordsworth. Bishop Wordsworth authored many books, including The Holy Year, a book of hymns focused on various days of the Church’s liturgical calendar1. Enjoy this modern rendition!

See the Conqu’ror mounts in triumph;
See the King in royal state,
Riding on the clouds, his chariot,
To his heav’nly palace gate:
Hark! the choirs of angel voices
Joyful Alleluias sing
And the portals high are lifted
To receive their heav’nly King.

Who is this that comes in glory,
With the trump of jubilee?
Lord of battles, God of armies,
He has gained the victory;
He who on the cross did suffer,
He who from the grave arose,
He has vanquished sin and Satan,
He by death has spoiled his foes.

Thou hast raised our human nature
In the clouds to God’s right hand;
There we sit in heav’nly places,
There with thee in glory stand:
Jesus reigns, adored by angels,
Man with God is on the throne;
Mighty Lord, in thine ascension
We by faith behold our own.

1anglicancompass.com/behind-the-hymn-see-the-conqueror/

The Wexford Carol

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Today’s hymn is the Christmas carol “The Wexford Carol”. It has uncertain origins, but it likely was composed in the 15th or 16th century based on its musical and lyrical style.[ The song achieved a renewed popularity due to the work of William Grattan Flood (1859–1928), who was organist and musical director at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy, Ireland. He transcribed the carol from a local singer and had it published in The Oxford Book of Carols.1 I’m sure you’ve heard many different versions of this carol; send me your favourite, I’d love to hear!

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending His beloved Son
With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide,
The noble virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.
But mark how all things came to pass
From every door repelled, alas,
As was foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble ox’s stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear
Prepare and go, the angels said
To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you’ll find, this happy morn
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus, born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold
They did our Saviour Christ behold
Within a manger He was laid
And by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.

1wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexford_Carol

O Lord of Hosts, How Lovely

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Today’s hymn is taking from the Trinity Hymnal – a collection of hymns used in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in America, as well as other Reformed churches. This particular hymn is based on Psalm 84. Enjoy!

O Lord of Hosts, how lovely
The place where thou dost dwell!
Thy tabernacles holy
In pleasantness excel.
My soul is longing, fainting,
Jehovah’s courts to see;
My heart and flesh are crying,
O living God, for thee.

Blest who thy house inhabit,
They ever give thee praise;
Blest all whom thou dost strengthen,
Who love the sacred ways.
So they from strength unwearied
Go forward unto strength,
Till they appear in Zion
Before the Lord at length.

O hear, Lord God of Jacob,
To me an answer yield;
The face of thine Anointed,
Behold, O God, our shield.
One day excels a thousand
If spent thy courts within;
I’ll choose thy threshold, rather
Than dwell in tents of sin.

Our sun and shield, Jehovah,
Will grace and glory give;
No good will he deny them
That uprightly do live.
O God of Hosts, Jehovah,
How blest is ev’ry one
Who confidence reposes
On thee, O Lord, alone.

Hymn of the Day

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