Yearly Archives: 2023

This Life I Live

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This hymn is a simple confession of the true believer’s desire and aim in life: to live for God, rely on his grace, and look forward to meeting him again. Enjoy!

This life I live is not my own,
For my redeemer paid the price;
He took it to be his alone,
To be his treasure and his prize.
The things of earth I leave behind,
To live in worship of my King;
His is the right to rule my life,
Mine is the joy to live for him.

I died to sin upon the cross,
I’m bound to Jesus in his death;
The old is gone, and now I must,
Rely on him for every breath.
With every footstep that I tread,
What mysteries he has in store;
I cannot know what lies ahead,
But know that he has gone before.

There is a voice that pierced the grave,
A power that rolled the stone away;
A sound of life, I know I’m saved,
The voice of God has called my name.
So I will rise, and in the air,
Behold the glory of the King;
I will not fear to meet him there,
I know my life is hid with him.

It Was Finished Upon That Cross

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“Boldly I approach my Father, clothed in Jesus’ righteousness; there is no more guilt to carry, it was finished upon that cross.” This is one of my favourite stanzas in CityAlight’s song from their newest album. It tells us of the benefits we have because of what Jesus has done on the cross for us. The upbeat melody is also a great accompaniment to fill your heart with joy for all our Saviour Jesus Christ has done; enjoy!

How I love the voice of Jesus,
On the cross of Calvary;
He declares His work is finished,
He has spoken this hope to me.

Though the sun had ceased its shining,
Though the war appeared as lost;
Christ had triumphed over evil;
It was finished upon that cross.

Now the curse it has been broken,
Jesus paid the price for me;
Full, the pardon He has offered;
Great, the welcome that I receive.

Boldly I approach my Father,
Clothed in Jesus’ righteousness;
There is no more guilt to carry,
It was finished upon that cross.

Death was once my great opponent,
Fear once had a hold on me;
But the Son who died to save us,
Rose that we would be free indeed!

Free from every plan of darkness,
Free to live and free to love;
Death is dead and Christ is risen!
It was finished upon that cross.

Onward to eternal glory,
To my Saviour and my God;
I rejoice in Jesus’ victory,
It was finished upon that cross.

Just As I Am

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The spiritual seed behind this hymn by Charlotte Elliott (1789–1871) is sometimes regarded to be her conversion experience1. Charlotte had become an invalid in 1821, which brought her great mental distress. Her lifelong spiritual mentor César Malan, a Swiss minister and hymnologist, counselled her to replace her rage and inner conflict with peace, and simple faith in God; from that day on, she turned her literary talents to writing hymns. Although sometimes depressed by her condition, she always felt renewed by the assurance of salvation, and she responded to her Saviour in hymns with her “strong imagination and a well cultured and intellectual mind” (John D. Julian, A Dictionary of Hymnology, 1892). She wrote about 150 hymns. Her most famous, “Just as I Am,” is widely used in English and North American hymnals today2.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

1http://www.hymnologyarchive.com/just-as-i-am
2umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-just-as-i-am-comes-from-writers-struggle-with-confining-il

In The Cross of Christ I Glory

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Sir John Bowring (1792-1872) was a distinguished scholar, ranked by some as one of the great minds of his day in the English-speaking world. Among his gifts was his ability as a linguist, publishing translations of poetry from such varied languages as Russian, Batavian, Spanish, Polish, Serbian, Bohemian, Magyar, Czech and Hungarian. Bowring also was twice a member of Parliament, a consul at Canton (in charge of trade in China) and a governor of Hong Kong. Despite a demanding political and diplomatic career, Bowring maintained an active avocation as a translator of poetry, composer of original poems and writer of essays on political and religious themes. “In the cross of Christ I glory” (1825) was composed while the author was in his early thirties. Appearing in Hymns by John Bowring (1825), the theme and language suggests a much more mature poet. Late 19th-century hymnologist John Julian suggests that Galatians 6:14 provides the basis for this hymn: “Far be it for me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (KJV).

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
never shall the cross forsake me.
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
light and love upon my way,
from the cross the radiance streaming
adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
by the cross are sanctified;
peace is there that knows no measure,
joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
towering o’er the wrecks of time;
all the light of sacred story
gathers round its head sublime.

Not In Me

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This song written by Eric Schumacher & David L. Ward is a model song for confession and repentance. It’s a song that proclaims that before God, we cannot boast of any good work. The only hope we have is the righteousness that is declared to us by Christ’s death and resurrection. We often sing this hymn on the days we celebrate the Lord’s Table at our church as it’s very fitting to mediate on the goodness, mercy and hope of Christ. Enjoy!

No list of sins I have not done,
No list of virtues I pursue –
No list of those I am not like.
Can earn myself a place with You.
O God, be merciful to me,
I am a sinner through and through;
My only hope of righteousness,
Is not in me, but only You.

No humble dress, no fervent prayer,
No lifted hands, no tearful song.
No recitation of the truth,
Can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life;
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death.
My weary load was borne by Him,
And He alone can give me rest.

No separation from the world.
No work I do, no gift I give.
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands,
I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again,
The power of death is overthrown.
My God is merciful to me,
And merciful in Christ alone.

My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death.
My weary load was borne by Him,
And He alone can give me rest,
Yes, He alone can give me rest

And Can It Be

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According to the editor of The Oxford Edition of the Works of John Wesley (Oxford: Clarendon, 1975-1983, vol. 7), “And Can It Be” was written immediately after Charles Wesley’s conversion (May 21, 1738). Wesley knew his Bible well prior to this time, but had not yet experienced assurance of new birth or the fulness of grace in his life. The editor also that it was probably this hymn, or “Where Should My Wond’ring Soul Begin?” that was sung late on the evening of his brother John’s Aldersgate Street conversion just three days later on May 241.

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Refrain
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

Refrain

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Refrain

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Refrain

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Refrain

1thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/charles-wesleys-and-can-it-be-background-and-scriptural-allusions/

Day By Day

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This hymn was suggested by a subscriber of the blog and was written in 1865 by Swedish hymn writer Carolina “Lina” Sandell Berg several years after she had witnessed the tragic drowning death of her father. Having been through that experience, she still could write about God, “He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what he deems best.” In the second stanza, she refers to Deuteronomy 33:25b: “as your days, so shall your strength be” (ESV)1. It is a hymn of assurance used in American congregational singing and started appearing in American hymnals in the latter half of the 1920s, and its popularity has increased since then. The hymn’s Swedish name is “Blott en dag,” its first three words in Swedish. The words mean “just one day” or “just another day.” In Sweden and Finland, it is popular at funerals. As this hymn is sung, remember that, though no human can accurately foretell the future, God knows what will happen and is also in complete control of all coming events.

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”–
This the pledge to me he made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation
So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

1https://hymnary.org/text/day_by_day_and_with_each_passing_moment
2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_by_Day_(hymn)

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

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“My Worth Is Not in What I Own” s a song that speaks to the subject of worth by reminding us that true significance is found in our identity in Christ. Kristyn and Keith Getty wrote it with their good friend, Graham Kendrick, in an attempt to reclaim two glorious truths. The first is that we, as men and women created in the image and likeness of the Creator, are created with intrinsic worth. The second truth is that given our pervasive rebellion against the King, we are all unworthy of the value with which he crowns us. Yet God sent his Son so our worth might be found in something far grander than ourselves. In Christ, no longer do we look to our own accomplishments and achievements to find significance. We look instead to his perfect work on our behalf, and there our souls find the true sense of identity we so crave. The chorus of the song draws from the rich imagery of 1 Peter, which depicts Jesus as an inheritance and treasure far greater than anything this world has to offer1. Enjoy!

My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

Refrain:
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

Refrain

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed – my ransom paid
At the cross

Refrain

1thegospelcoalition.org/article/my-worth-is-not-in-what-i-own/

Love Constraining to Obedience

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We owe again to William Cowper for this wonderful hymn, which he contributed to Olney Hymns in 1772 – 1773, a collaboration with John Newton; it is found in the third book of the Olney Hymns, hymns on “The Spiritual Life”. Cowper drew his subject matter for this hymn from his own meditation on Romans 3. Surely he drew from others subconsciously, as well as from his own experience, but he published a reference to Romans 3:31, along with this text, in the Olney Hymnal. Romans 3:19-20 says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”1 I did find some song versions of this song I liked, however the words are so powerful that they are worth meditating on alone. Enjoy!

No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright:
And what she has she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress;
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.

Then, to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do;
Now, if I feel its power within,
I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done
A righteousness to raise;
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.

‘What shall I do,’ was then the word,
‘That I may worthier grow?’
‘What shall I render to the Lord?’
Is my inquiry now.

To see the law by Christ fulfilled
And hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice.

1theaquilareport.com/love-constraining-to-obedience/

Let Me Find Thee

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This hymn is rewritten by Matthew Smith, and based on a text written by Joachin Neander. Neander was born in Germany in 1650. Grandson of a mu­si­cian and son of a teach­er, Ne­an­der stu­died the­ol­o­gy at Bre­men Un­i­ver­si­ty (1666-70), moved his stu­dies to Hei­del­berg in 1671, and in 1673 he moved to Frank­furt, where he met Pi­e­tis­tic schol­ars Phil­ipp Ja­kob Spen­er (1635-1705) and Jo­hann Schütz (1640-90). From 1674-79, Ne­an­der was prin­ci­pal of the Re­formed La­tein­schule (gram­mar school) in Düs­sel­dorf. Dur­ing these years, he used to wan­der the se­clud­ed Düs­sel Riv­er val­ley, which was, un­til the 19th Cen­tu­ry, a deep ra­vine be­tween rock fac­es and for­ests, with num­er­ous caves, grot­tos and wa­ter­falls. Prob­ab­ly, Ne­an­der wrote and sang ma­ny of his po­ems there, but al­so held ga­ther­ings and ser­vices. In the ear­ly 19th Cen­tu­ry, a large cave was named Ne­an­der­höhle af­ter him. In 1679, Ne­an­der moved to Bre­men and worked as as­sist­ant preach­er at St. Mar­ti­ni church. The next year he be­came ser­i­ous­ly ill and died, pre­sum­a­bly of the plague1. He also wrote the words the popular hymn “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty”.

Behold me here, in grief draw near,
Pleading at Thy throne oh King.
To Thee each tear, each trembling fear,
Jesus Son of Man I bring.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Lord of mercy King of grace.

Look down in love, and from above,
With Thy Spirit satisfy.
Thou hast sought me, Thou hast bought me,
And thy purchase Lord am I.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Here on earth and then on high.

Hear the broken, scarcely spoken,
Longings of my heart to thee
All the crying, all the sighing,
Of Thy child accepted be.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Wounded healer, suffering Lord.

1hymnbook.igracemusic.com/people/joachim-neander