Today’s hymn comes from the great hymn writer Charles Wesley. It tells of the wonderful truth that Jesus has died for us, and the joy unspeakable that comes from grasping this truth. I hope this is your song today, enjoy!
Jesus hath died that I might live, Might live to God alone; In Him eternal life receive, And be in spirit one.
Saviour, I thank Thee for the grace, The gift unspeakable, And wait with arms of faith to embrace, And all Thy love to feel.
My soul breaks out in strong desire The perfect bliss to prove; My longing heart is all on fire To be dissolved in love.
Give me Thyself; from every boast, From every wish set free; Let all I am in Thee be lost; But give Thyself to me.
Thy gifts, alas, cannot suffice Unless Thyself be given; Thy presence makes my paradise, And where Thou art is heaven!
Today’s song comes from Cornerstone Bible Church, Katy, Texas. The purpose of their music is a “desire to live out the command in Colossians 3:16 ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratefulness in your hearts to God’…we want to sing old and new hymns, as well as write new songs for our church (Psalm 96:1-6), all in the context of God’s word dwelling richly in the lives of the body at Cornerstone1.” I love it when churchs have a biblical understanding of music and singing at the heart of their worship ministry. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it this song and many others!
The Word of God will ever stand The anchor for my soul Eternal truth firm to the end The Gospel of my God Though kingdoms fall and seasons change His Word my hope and stay His promises will never fade Take courage, O my soul
Refrain Hallelujah, praise the Lord our God All sufficient is His Word Through the ages every line is sure Hallelujah, praise the Lord
The Word of God is my supply In every trial or need No sorrow deep or dark of night These pages cannot meet The mind of God to sinful man What riches are within I need no other source of life To save and sanctify [Refrain]
The Word of God reigns over me And to it I will bow Each law contained is clarity The way of life to know O let me hide His Word within That I might cease from sin And honor God with every breath In holiness and truth [Refrain]
The Word of God victorious Will govern His true church The scriptures we proclaim and teach With all authority The Word of God our surety Sufficient it will be To purify, protect and keep Through all eternity [Refrain]
Today’s song comes from James E Seddon (1915-1983), and it’s based on 1 Peter 2. Seddon received his musical training at the London College of Music and Trinity College in London and his theological training at the Bible Churchmen’s Theological College (now Trinity College) in Bristol. He served various Anglican parishes in England and was a missionary in Morocco from 1945 to 1955 (many of his thirty hymns are based on missionary themes), as well as the home secretary for the Bible Churchmen’s Missionary Society from 1955 to 19671. Enjoy!
Church of God, elect and glorious, holy nation, chosen race; called as God’s own special people, royal priests and heirs of grace: know the purpose of your calling, show to all his mighty deeds; tell of love which knows no limits, grace which meets all human needs.
God has called you out of darkness into his most marvellous light; brought his truth to life within you, turned your blindness into sight. Let your light so shine around you that God’s name be glorified; and all find fresh hope and purpose in Christ Jesus crucified.
Once you were an alien people, strangers to God’s heart of love; but he brought you home in mercy, citizens of Heaven above. Let his love flow out to others, let them feel a Father’s care; that they too may know his welcome and his countless blessings share.
Church of God, elect and holy, be the people he intends; strong in faith and swift to answer each command your master sends: royal priests, fulfil your calling through your sacrifice and prayer; give your lives in joyful service – sing his praise, his love declare.
Today’s hymn comes from German poet Georg Neumark (1621-1681) and translated by Catherine Winkworth. Neumark lived during the time of the Thirty Years’ War, when social and economic conditions were deplorable. He had personal trials as well. On his way to Königsberg to study at the university, traveling in the comparative safety of a group of merchants, he was robbed of nearly all his possessions. During the next two years he spent much of his time looking for employment. He finally secured a tutoring position in Kiel, and afterwards wrote this hymn1. John Piper says it’s one of his favourites because “the words express hope in the worst of times because of an absolutely sovereign and merciful God2.” I hope you enjoy this one!
If thou but suffer God to guide thee And hope in Him through all thy ways, He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days. Who trusts in God’s unchanging love Builds on the Rock that naught can move.
What can these anxious cares avail thee, These never-ceasing moans and sighs? What can it help if thou bewail thee O’er each dark moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.
Be patient and await His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whate’er thy Father’s pleasure And His discerning love hath sent, Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him who chose us for His own.
He knows the time for joy And truly will send it when he sees it meet, When he has tried and purged thee, duly And finds thee free from all deceit. He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care.
Think not that God has thee forsaken When sorrow crowns your acts of care, Nor that he sleeps and cannot waken While evil prospers everywhere. Each recompense will have its hour. God sets the times with truth, with love and power.
All are alike before the Highest; ‘Tis easy to our God, we know, To raise thee up, though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low. True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught.
Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, So do thine own part faithfully, And trust His Word, though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee. God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted Him indeed.
Today’s hymn comes from Anne Brontë (1820-1849), sister of author Charlotte Brontë. Anne being herself a writer and poet, this hymn focuses on the fact that although we sin and are weighed down by our burdens, we have a God who hears us, who loves us, and who will deliver us. I hope you have this same confidence today; enjoy!
Oppressed with sin and woe, A burdened heart I bear, Opposed by many a mighty foe: But I will not despair.
With this polluted heart I dare to come to Thee, Holy and mighty as Thou art; For Thou wilt pardon me.
I feel that I am weak, And prone to every sin: But Thou who giv’st to those who seek, Wilt give me strength within.
Far as this earth may be From yonder starry skies; Remoter still am I from Thee: Yet Thou wilt not despise.
I need not fear my foes, I need not yield to care, I need not sink beneath my woes: For Thou wilt answer prayer.
In my Redeemer’s name, I give myself to Thee; And all unworthy as I am My God will cherish me.
O make me wholly Thine! Thy love to me impart, And let Thy holy spirit shine For ever on my heart!
As I mentioned before, my husband set out to find a song for each Psalm as close to the ESV rendering as possible (which he managed to do!). One of his great finds was a 3 volume collection of songs by Exodus Music who masterfully put Psalm 119 word for word (ESV) to music. This one is one of my favourites. Do check them out on Youtube and streaming platforms as I’m sure you’ll be blessed by all the songs in all 3 volumes; enjoy!
You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces
Today’s hymn comes from Joseph Addison (1672-1719). Although intended for the Church, he gave himself to the study of law and politics, and soon attained, through powerful influence, to some important posts. He was successively a Commissioner of Appeals, an Under Secretary of State, Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Chief Secretary for Ireland1. He and a former schoolboy friend, Richard Steele, founded a daily newspaper called The Spectator. They determined to give it a higher moral tone than the other papers of the day. Addison appended the text of this hymn to an article he wrote on gratitude. It was published in The Spectator on August 9th, 17122. Enjoy!
When all thy mercies, O my God, my rising soul surveys, transported with the view, I’m lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Unnumbered comforts to my soul thy tender care bestowed, before my infant heart conceived from whom those comforts flowed.
When in the slippery paths of youth with heedless steps I ran, thine arm unseen conveyed me safe, and led me up to man.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts my daily thanks employ, and not the least a cheerful heart which tastes those gifts with joy.
Through every period of my life thy goodness I’ll pursue, and after death in distant worlds the glorious theme renew.
Through all eternity to thee, a joyful song I’ll raise; for O, eternity’s too short to utter all thy praise.
Today’s hymn is by Paul Henkel (1781–1825) who was a native of North Carolina and became an itinerant evangelist for the Lutheran Church in the eastern United States. He was licensed as a preacher by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1783. Although he did receive some financial assistance for his missionary work, the majority of the expenses were paid for out of his own pocket. His work included preaching, baptizing, and creating new congregations in the communities he visited. In 1806 he began distributing books through his sons’ printing house, the Henkel Press, which thus became the only Lutheran publishing house in the country for many years. He also continued his missionary travels, and helped form the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio in 1818 and the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod in 18201. Enjoy this one on the reality of the Christian life.
Strange is the faithful christian’s life, What doth he feel within? A constant war, continual strife, To crush the pow’r of sin.
He seeks the will of God to do, And should he watch and pray; Yet his own will is working too! And leads his mind astray.
What oppositions does he fell! Doth not the thing he should. Contrary to his mind and will, He cannot as he would.
The flesh against the spirit lust, The will is captive led; Until the soul renews the trust; In Christ the living head.
Thus shall he overcome at last! In vain he shall not strive; For Jesus has him promise pass’d, To keep his faith alive.
Influenc’d by the spirit’ pow’r! His lusts shall be subdu’d– And he shall be enslav’d no more, Nor break his peace with God.
Dear Lord, with hopes on thee relied, I know I shall succeed: Till all my lusts are crucified, And I be fully freed.
Today’s song comes from Matt Merker, Laura Story, and Jordan Kauflin. It’s an adaption of the older “Come Ye Disconsolate” by Thomas Moore and Thomas Hastings which I have posted previously. Do you lay your burdens onto Jesus as he invites us in Matthew 11:28-29? I hope you do dear friend. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this acoustic version!
Come unto Jesus, all you who are weary; Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel. Here bring your wounded hearts, broken and needy; Come unto Jesus, mighty to heal.
Joy of the comfortless, Light for the straying, Hope of the penitent, Peace in our strife; Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying: “My yoke is easy, my burden is light.”
Refrain Come unto Jesus, Come unto Jesus. Lay down your burdens, He is enough; Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.
Come taste the Bread of Life, broken for sinners; Drink from the cup of His promise made sure. Feast at His table as sons and as daughters; Grace overflowing is yours evermore.
Come now and follow Him, this life forsaking; All that was gain, count as nothing but loss. Trade all this world for His kingdom unfading; Come unto Jesus, take up your cross; Come unto Jesus, take up your cross; Life everlasting He offers to us.
Today’s hymn comes from James Harrington Evans (1785-1849), son of the Rev. Dr. Evans, priest-vicar of Salisbury Cathedral, was born. Taking Holy Orders in 1808 he remained in the Church of England until 1815, when he seceded, and became a Baptist Minister. He was the Minister of John Street Baptist Chapel, Gray’s Inn Road, London, for many years1. J C Ryle included this hymn in his selection of hymns called “Hymns and Spiritual Songs”. Writing of this collection, Ryle says “If the three hundred hymns, which I now send forth, shall do good to the weakest lamb in Christ’s flock, and shall comfort, cheer, establish, or build up one suffering member of Christ’s mystical body, the labour which I have expended in collecting them, will be more than repaid.”2 I hope this hymn is an encouragement to you to persevere today; enjoy!
Faint not, Christian! though the road Leading to Thy blest abode Darksome be, and dang’rous too, Christ, thy Guide, will bring thee through
Faint not, Christian! though in rage Satan doth thy soul engage; Take thee faith’s anointed shield, Bear it to the battle-field.
Faint not, Christian! though the world Hath its hostile flag unfurled; Hold the Cross of Jesus fast, Thou shalt overcome at last.
Faint not, Christian! though within There’s a heart so prone to sin; Christ, thy Lord, is over all, He’ll not suffer thee to fall.
Faint not, Christian! though thy God Smite thee with the chast’ning rod; Smite He must with Father’s care, That He may His love declare.
Faint not, Christian! Christ is near; Soon in glory He’ll appear; Then shall end thy toil and strife, Death be swallowed up of life.
Hymn of the Day 