Monthly Archives: Jan 2024

My God, I Thank Thee, Who Hast Made

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from Adelaide Procter (1825-1864). Miss Procter became a contributor to Dickens’ “Household Words.” Her reputation as a poet was secured by the publication of her first volume of “Legends and Lyrics,” in 1858. A second volume was added in 1860. She also published other compositions in poetry and prose1. I hope your heart can also give thanks to God this Lord’s Day; enjoy!

My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright;
So full of splendor and of joy,
Beauty and light,
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right. 

I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound; 
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round;
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.

I thank Thee, that all our joy
Is touched with pain;
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.

I thank thee, Lord, that thou hast kept
The best in store;
We have enough, yet not too much,
To long for more;
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.

I thank thee, Lord, that here our souls,
Though amply blest,
Can never find, although they seek,
A perfect rest;
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus’ breast.

AMEN.

1https://hymnary.org/person/Procter_AA

All Glory Be Forever

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s song is by Sovereign Grace, and it’s taken from their 2013 album”Grace Has Come”, songs based on the book of Romans (my favourite book in the bible!) I hope you enjoy this one!

We had turned from God to sin’s disgrace
We chose the path to hell
Perfect law of God condemned our race
For all in Adam fell
But the righteousness of God appeared
And the world found hope again
For the Righteous One has come down to bear
All the curse of sin and death

Refrain
Now to Him Who’s seated on the throne
All glory be forever
Oh, the depths of wisdom, grace, and power
All glory be forever
All glory be forever

Every bond of sin that held us fast
Is left in Jesus’ grave
We’ve been freed from all that gripped our past
From Satan’s rule and reign
We’ve been raised to life to breathe His grace
As captives now reclaimed
All our guilt is gone, all our strivings ceased
We’re alive to seek His fame [Refrain]

Now our future’s fixed, our journey clear
God will not let us go
Every trial that tempts our hearts to fear
He’ll use to give us hope
All creation groans as we await
What our eyes have longed to see
Every pain and evil we’ve long endured
Will be crushed by Christ our King [Refrain]

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

The Lord Eternal Reigns

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from Isaac Watts, centred around the eternal majesty of Yahweh. Surely meditating on the wonderful characteristics of our God will fill your heart with praise? Enjoy below a short meditation about this hymn from Alistair Begg.

The Lord eternal reigns,
his throne is built on high;
the kingly robes he wears
are light and majesty:
his glories shine with beams so bright
no mortal eye can bear the sight.

The thunders of his hand
keep the wide world in awe;
his wrath and justice stand
to guard his holy law;
and where his love resolves to bless
his truth confirms and seals the grace.

Through all his mighty works
amazing wisdom shines,
confounds the powers of hell
and breaks their cursed designs;
strong is his arm, and shall fulfil
his great decrees and sovereign will.

And can this glorious King
to human hearts descend?
And will he write his name
my Father and my friend?
I love his name, I love his word;
let all my being praise the Lord!

I Am His and He Is Mine

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from Irishman George Wade Robinson (1838-1877). He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and New College, St. John’s Wood, London. He entered the Congregational Ministry, and was co-pastor at York Street Chapel, Dublin, with Dr. Urwick; then pastor at St. John’s Wood, at Dudley, and at Union Street, Brighton. He published two volumes of poems, which included this one1. Rejoice in our Saviour’s love with this one; enjoy!

Loved with everlasting love,
drawn by grace that love to know,
Spirit sent from Christ above,
thou dost witness it is so.
O this full and precious peace
from his presence all divine;
in a love that cannot cease,
I am his and he is mine.

Heav’n above is deeper blue,
earth around is sweeter green,
that which glows in ev’ry hue
Christless eyes have never seen.
Birds in song his glories show,
flow’rs with richer beauties shine
since I know, as now I know,
I am his and he is mine.

Taste the goodness of the Lord:
welcomed home to his embrace,
all his love, as blood outpoured,
seals the pardon of his grace.
Can I doubt his love for me,
when I trace that love’s design?
By the cross of Calvary
I am his and he is mine.

His forever, only his–
who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
firstborn light in gloom decline,
but while God and I shall be,
I am his and he is mine.

1hymnary.org/person/Robinson_GWade

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

Jesus, Blessed Saviour

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from Frances Havergal (1836-1879), a daughter of an English minister, who loved to write hymns, including “Take my life and let it be”. The subject of her hymns often centre around “free and full salvation, through the Redeemer’s merits, for every sinner who will receive it, and her life was devoted to the proclamation of this truth by personal labours, literary efforts, and earnest interest in Foreign Missions.”1 This hymn is a hymn for the start of a New Year and I hope you have the same earnest prayer; enjoy!

Jesus, blessed Saviour, help us now to raise
Songs of glad thanksgiving, songs of holy praise.
Oh, how kind and gracious Thou hast always been!
Oh, how many blessings every day has seen!
Jesus, blessed Saviour, now our praises hear,
For Thy grace and favour crowning all the year.

Jesus, holy Saviour, only Thou canst tell
How we often stumbled, how we often fell!
All our sins (so many!) Saviour, Thou dost know:
In Thy blood most precious wash us white as snow.
Jesus, blessed Saviour, keep us in Thy fear,
Let Thy grace and favour pardon all the year.

Jesus, loving Saviour, only Thou dost know
All that may befall us as we onward go;
So we humbly pray Thee, take us by the hand,
Lead us ever upward to the better land.
Jesus, blessed Saviour, keep us ever near,
Let Thy grace and favour shield us all the year.

Jesus, precious Saviour, make us all Thine own,
Make us Thine forever, make us Thine alone.
Let each day, each moment of this glad new year,
Be for Jesus only, Jesus, Savior dear.
Then, O blessed Saviour, never need we fear:
For Thy grace and favour crown our bright New Year.

1hymnary.org/person/Havergal_Frances

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

God Is Working His Purpose Out

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn is mission focused and comes from Arthur Campbell Ainger (1894-1919), a son of an Ang­li­can priest. He at­tend­ed Eton and Tri­ni­ty Col­lege, Cam­bridge (BA 1860, MA 1864), and became a schoolmaster at Eton from 1864-1901. He wrote the text (as well as numerous others) for use by the boys at Eton College. Dedicated to Edward W. Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, the text was first issued as a leaflet and then published in the Hymn Book of the Church Missionary Society (1899)1. I’ve included below a traditional version and a modern rendition; I hope you enjoy this one!

God is working this purpose out,
as year succeeds to year;
God is working this purpose out,
and the time is drawing near;
nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be:
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

From utmost east to utmost west,
where human feet have trod,
by the mouth of many messengers
goes forth the voice of God:
“Give ear to me, ye continents,
ye isles, give ear to me,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.”

Let us go forth in the strength of God,
with the banner of Christ unfurled,
that the light of the glorious gospel of truth
may shine throughout the world.
Let us all fight with sorrow and sin
to set the captives free,
that the earth may be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

All we can do is nothing worth
unless God blesses the deed.
Vainly we hope for the harvest-tide
till God gives life to the seed.
Yet nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be,
when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.

1hymnary.org/text/god_is_working_his_purpose_out

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

I Must Tell Jesus

Posted on by
1

Today’s hymn is written by Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929), an American minister who wrote more than 2,000 gospel songs including “Leaning on the everlasting arms”. The story behind this hymn by the pastor-composer was told to another gospel composer, Charles Gabriel, in 1916: “While I was a pastor at Lebanon, Pa., I called one day at the home of a parishioner and found the lady in great distress and sorrow. Wringing her hands, she cried: “What shall I do—what shall I do?” I replied, “You cannot do better than to take it all to Jesus—you must tell Jesus.” For a moment she seemed abstracted in meditation, then her face glowed, her eyes lighted up, and with animation she exclaimed, “Yes, I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus!”1 I hope you too can tell all your burdens to Jesus; enjoy!

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end. [Refrain]

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share. [Refrain]

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win. [Refrain]

1hymnologyarchive.com/i-must-tell-jesus

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

O Christ, What Burdens Bowed Thy Head!

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from Anne Cousin (1824-1906). Anne was the daugh­ter of a doc­tor, and wife of Will­iam Cou­sin, pas­tor of the Free Church of Mel­rose, Scot­land. She con­trib­ut­ed ma­ny po­ems to va­ri­ous pe­ri­od­i­cals and four of her hymns were in­clud­ed in the 1876 Scot­tish Pres­by­te­ri­an Hym­nal. Gospel singer Ira Sankey shared this story regarding this hymn: “A young of­fi­cer in the Brit­ish ar­my turned away in hor­ror from the doc­trine of this hymn. His pride re­volt­ed, his self right­eous­ness rose in re­bell­ion, and he said: He would be a cow­ard in­deed who would go to heav­en at the cost of an­oth­er! As the years rolled away, this man rose to dis­tinc­tion and high rank in the ar­my, and he al­so learned wis­dom. In his last hours, as he lay on his death­bed, he re­peat­ed­ly begged those near him to sing O Christ, what burd­ens bowed Thy head, call­ing it, My hymn, my hymn!”1 Enjoy!

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head!
Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner’s stead,
Didst bear all ill for me;
A Victim led, Thy blood was shed,
Now there’s no load for me.
A Victim led, Thy blood was shed,
Now there’s no load for me.

The curse of death was in our cup:
The cup was full for Thee;
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,
And emptied it for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up;
There is no curse for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up;
There is no curse for me.

Jehovah raised the rod to smite;
The blow returned on Thee;
Upon Thy form did it alight,
And passed away from me;
Thy soul so white did wrath affright,
There is no wrath for me.
Thy soul so white did wrath affright,
There is no wrath for me.

The tempest’s awful voice was heard,
Its thunders broke on Thee!
Thy open bosom was my ward,
And it protected me;
Thy body scarred, Thy visage marred,
There is no storm for me.
Thy body scarred, Thy visage marred,
There is no storm for me.

For us, Lord Jesus, hast Thou died,
That we might die in Thee;
But Thou art raised and glorified,
And livest now in me;
Hell’s host defied! heav’n open wide!
There is no death for me.
Hell’s host defied! heav’n open wide!
There is no death for me

1hymntime.com/tch/htm/o/c/w/b/ocwbubth.htm#:~:text=As%20the%20years%20rolled%20away,%2C%20My%20hymn%2C%20my%20hymn!

Reformation Hymn

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn comes from a collaboration with Chris Anderson and Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace. “Written in 2017 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation…the song highlights the 5 Solas of the Reformation—Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola Gratia (grace alone), Solus Christus (Christ alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)—and gives a nod to the great hymn writer Martin Luther by pointing worshipers to Christ.”1 Enjoy!

We will trust God’s Word alone,
Where his perfect will is known;
Our traditions shift like sand
While his Truth forever stands.

We will live by faith alone,
Clothed in merit not our own;
All we claim is Jesus Christ
And his finished sacrifice.

Refrain:
Glory be, glory be to God alone,
Through the church he redeemed and made his own.
He has freed us, he will keep us till we’re safely home
Glory be, glory be to God alone!

We are saved by grace alone—
Undeserved, yet freely shown;
No accomplishment on earth
Can achieve the second birth.

We will stand on Christ alone,
The unyielding Cornerstone;
Nations rage and devils roar,
Still he reigns forevermore!

1churchworksmedia.com/product/reformation-hymn-free/

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints

I Saw One Hanging On A Tree

Posted on by
Reply

Today’s hymn is a hymn by John Newton, often sung at Easter. This hymn tells so clearly of Christ dying for the one who sings it; yes it was our guilty sin that led Christ to the cross, but take heart, for through that death he saved our souls! I hope this can be your song today. Enjoy!

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agony and blood;
He fixed His loving eyes on me,
As near His cross I stood.

Refrain:
O, can it be, upon a tree
The Savior died for me?
My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,
To think He died for me!

Sure, never to my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke. (Refrain)

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins His blood had spilt
And helped to nail Him there. (Refrain)

A second look He gave, which said,
“I freely all forgive:
This blood is for your ransom paid,
I die that you may live.” (Refrain)

☕Buy me a coffee☕

Hymn of the Day / Youtube / Logos of Grace Prints