Yearly Archives: 2023

All Praise To Our Redeeming Lord

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This hymn by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was included in Hymns for Those that Seek and Those that have Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ (London, July 1747), a volume of 52 hymns published by William Strahan (1715-1785). Though issued anonymously, the majority of the hymns can be traced to Charles Wesley. This collection also included the better-known hymns, “Love divine, all loves excelling” (No. 9) and “Come sinners to the gospel feast” (No. 50). Christian friendship or fellowship was a primary topic for Charles Wesley. who devoted 55 hymns to this theme.For the Wesleys, “there was no religion but social religion, no holiness but social holiness. In other words, faith always includes a social dimension. One cannot be a solitary Christian”1.

All praise to our redeeming Lord,
who joins us by his grace,
and bids us, each to each restored,
together seek his face.

He bids us build each other up;
and gathered into one,
to our high calling’s glorious hope,
we hand in hand go on.

The gift which he on one bestows
we all delight to prove;
the grace through every vessel flows,
in purest streams of love.

Even now we think and speak the same,
and cordially agree;
concentered all, through Jesus’ name,
in perfect harmony.

We all partake the joy of one,
the common peace we feel,
a peace to sensual minds unknown,
a joy unspeakable.

And if our fellowship below
in Jesus be so sweet,
What height of rapture shall we know
When round his throne we meet.

1umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-all-praise-to-our-redeeming-lord

Now Thank We All Our God

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Martin Rinckart (1586-1649) was an accomplished musician who studied at the University of Leipzig and then spent most of his career as a musician and archdeacon in the city of Eilenburg. Germany during the Thirty Years’ War. British Hymnologist J.R. Watson accounts that as one of the last surviving ministers in the city, Rinckart had to stretch personal resources to take care of refugees and spend most of his time performing nearly fifty funerals per day at the height of the plague. This experience during the Thirty Years’ War had a profound impact on Rinckart’s poetry, just as it did for his hymnwriter contemporaries. Lutheran scholar Carl Schalk observes that the “cross and comfort” hymnody of the time reflected life situations of the people with greater metrical regularity, smoother language, and a theology relatable to everyday life. For someone in Rinckart’s dire situation, this expression of abundant gratitude is fitting for a man who lived in constant fear of starvation, the plague, and invading armies1.

Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
to keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
of this world in the next.

All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
the Son and Spirit blest,
who reign in highest heaven
the one eternal God,
whom heaven and earth adore;
for thus it was, is now,
and shall be evermore.

1umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-now-thank-we-all-our-god

May the Mind of Christ My Saviour

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Little is known about Kate Wilkinson. Born in 1859, she was a member of a Anglican church in London and was involved in helping young women on the west side of the city. This hymn was first published in an English children’s hymnbook called Golden Bells in 1925. In 1968, the president of Wheaton College, Dr Hudson T. Armerding, included this text in the commencement program, where it has continued to be used every year. He considered it to be particularly important for the young’ “who have so much potential”. It was regularly sung at the conclusion of Wheaton College’s chapel services1. Below is a very simple acoustic version; why don’t you make this your prayer today?

May the mind of Christ my Saviour
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of Christ dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His pow’r.

May the peace of Christ my Saviour
Rule my life in every thing,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

1 page 253 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church

Jesus I Will Walk With You

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“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them” Luke 24:15. This encounter on the Emmaus road wonderfully shows the Christian life as a walk with Jesus. This song expresses our heart’s desire to walk with Jesus, and reminds us that this privilege is available only because he first chose to walk with us: ‘Jesus I will walk with you… for Jesus walks with me’1. Enjoy this lovely song by Joyful Noise

Jesus I will walk with you
Companion for the way
My constant friend and faithful guide
Beside me every day
Through times of winter harsh and bare
Through summer’s gentle breeze
I’ll walk with faith and hope and love
For Jesus walks with me

Jesus I will walk with you
Attentive to your voice
In every written word you speak
And make my heart rejoice
Though now I walk an unseen road
In prayer I know your peace
And walk with persevering faith
For Jesus walks with me

Jesus I will walk with you
The way of victory
The stranglehold of sin is gone
Your blood has set me free
And though my sin is deep and dark
Your spirit’s power will be
My daily strength to walk with you
For Jesus walks with me

Jesus I will walk with you
Salvation’s ancient way
Where countless saints have walked before
And triumphed by your grace
Your faithfulness their victory song
Their joyful voice agrees
There is no better way to walk
For Jesus walks with me.

1joyful-noise.bandcamp.com/track/jesus-i-will-walk-with-you-2

How Rich A Treasure We Possess

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This great modern hymn written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa is a wonderful reminder of the vast spiritual treasure we have inherited through Christ. This song full of such rich biblical language and imagery I’m sure will have you humming and singing throughout the day, with your hearts full of joy that Christ through His blood has made us His. I really like this simple, acoustic version; enjoy!

How rich a treasure we possess
In Jesus Christ our Lord;
His blood our ransom and defence,
His glory our reward.
The sum of all created things,
Is worthless in compare;
For our inheritance is Him,
Whose praise angels declare.

How free and costly was the love
Displayed upon the cross;
While we were dead in untold sin,
The Sovereign purchased us.
The will of God the Father
Demonstrated through the Son;
The Spirit seals the greatest work,
The work which Christ has done.

How vast and measureless the flood
Of mercy unrestrained;
The penalty was paid in full,
The spotless Lamb was slain.
Salvation what a priceless gift
Received by grace through faith;
We stand in robes of righteousness,
We stand in Jesus’ Name.

For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power,
And the glory.
Yours is the Kingdom, and the power,
And the glory! Amen!

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

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Elizabeth Clephane lived in Scotland with two older sisters and a father who was the county sheriff. She was known in her town as “The Sunbeam”, even though she was sickly and had a weak disposition. Elizabeth was very benevolent and used what money she has to help others. She wrote two hymns that remain, “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” and “The Ninety and Nine”, but neither were published until after she died at the young age of thirty-nine. The editor who published Clephane’s poems described her words as written by someone on the “edge of life” staring into eternity from the earth1.

Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty Rock
Within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness,
A rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat
And the burden of the day.

Upon the cross of Jesus
Mine eye at times can see
The very dying form of One
Who suffered there for me:
And from my stricken heart with tears
Two wonders I confess,
The wonders of redeeming love
And my unworthiness.

I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place:
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of his face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss;
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.

1page 151 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church

Once For All

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The words for this hymn was written and the tune was composed both by Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876). It was first published in his 1873 book Sunshine for Sunday Schools. Daniel Webster Whittle in his Memoirs of Philip P. Bliss wrote, “Just before Christmas, 1871, Mrs. Bliss asked a friend, ‘What shall I get my husband for a Christmas present?’ and, at the suggestion of this friend, purchased and presented him with the bound volume of a monthly English periodical called Things New and Old. Many things in these books of interpretation of Scripture and illustrations of Gospel truth were blessed to him, and from the reading of something in one of these books in connection with Romans 8 and Hebrews 10, suggested this glorious Gospel song.”1 Of this song, worship leader Zac Hicks writes: “I first heard this lesser-known hymn by Philip Bliss when it was read from the pulpit by the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, where I serve as Pastor of Worship. I was immediately struck by its clarity of delineating what is called “God’s two words” of Law and Gospel for the believer”. Have a blessed Lord’s Day!

Free from the law, O happy condition,
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

Refrain
Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O friend, now believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall,
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.

Now we are free, there’s no condemnation,
Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
“Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call,
Come, and He saves us once for all.

Refrain

“Children of God,” O glorious calling,
Surely His grace will keep us from falling;
Passing from death to life at His call,
Blessed salvation once for all.

Refrain

1hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/quotonce-for-allquot/
2zachicks.com/once-for-all/

Take Time To Be Holy

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This hymn I found whilst reading hymnals online, and it comes to us from British layman William Dunn Longstaff (1822-1894). Longstaff befriended a number of well-known evangelists such as William Booth (1829-1912), founder of the Salvation Army. Some of Longstaff’s hymns were published in the official magazine of the Salvation Army magazine, The War Cry, during the 1880s. In 1873 the famous American preacher Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) and his chief musician Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908) arrived in England and were desperately seeking funds, and Longstaff came to their rescue, helping to establish a donor base that allowed Moody to hold revivals in London and Scotland. Methodist hymnologist Robert Guy McCutchan notes that Longstaff was inspired by the words of Griffith John, a missionary to China, who cited I Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (KJV), a reference to Leviticus 11:441. I do not have a song for this hymn to share, but you will be blessed to turn the words into your prayer for today.

Take time to be holy,
Speak oft’ with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children
Help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing
His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy,
Let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him,
Whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow,
Still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus,
Still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy,
Be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive
Beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit
To fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted
For service above.

1umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-take-time-to-be-holy

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

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Isaac Watts wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” in preparation for a communion service in 1707. Originally, the hymn was named “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ,” following the practice of the day to summarise a hymn’s theme in the title. It was first published in 1707 in Watt’s collection Hymns and Spiritual Songs. This hymn is considered one of the finest hymns ever written. It’s the first known hymn to be written in the first person, introducing expressing personal religious devotion rather than limiting itself to only doctrine1.

When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

1songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/when-i-survey-the-wondrous-cross

Yet Not I, But Christ Through Me

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Richard Thompson and Jonny Robinson are writers within the worship group CityAlight. On writing modern hymns, and today’s song, they write: “We began this writing project inspired by an idea… The idea was joy. More specifically we had in mind Christian joy which we believed to be something quite distinct, and we wanted that notion to inspire, underwrite, and unify the songs written for this project. The songs resulting from this meditation are six simple songs for the church centered upon those remarkable realities of the Christian faith that are occasions for deep and lasting joy. Our hymn “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me” took us 12 weeks to write. We dove deep into the idea of what it meant to have Christ dwell in us…This is an exploration of one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith1. Enjoyy!

What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer
There is no more for heaven now to give
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom
My steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace

Refrain
To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus
For my life is wholly bound to His
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing, “All is mine”
Yet not I, but through Christ in me

The night is dark but I am not forsaken
For by my side, the Saviour He will stay
I labour on in weakness and rejoicing
For in my need, His power is displayed

Refrain

No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven
The future sure, the price it has been paid
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon
And He was raised to overthrow the grave

Refrain

With every breath I long to follow Jesus
For He has said that He will bring me home
And day by day I know He will renew me
Until I stand with joy before the throne

Refrain

1challies.com/interviews/get-to-know-cityalight-and-their-new-album/