Today’s hymn comes from Richmond Deck. Ordained in 1876, he held in succession three Curacies and three Benefices, and since 1897, until his death, the Vicarage of Christ Church, Folkestone. He published in 1903, All the Days: A Round of Verses for the Days of the Week. This hymn is based upon the words, “Lo, I am with you always” from Matthew 28:20 and was written in 1885¹. Enjoy!

I take Thy promise, Lord, in all its length,
And breadth and fulness, as my daily strength;
Into life’s future fearless I may gaze,
For, Savior, Thou art with me all the days.

Days may be coming fraught with loss and change,
New scenes surround my life and fancies strange;
I thank Thee that no day can ever break,
Savior, when Thou wilt leave me or forsake.

There may be days of darkness and distress,
When sin has power to tempt, and care to press,
Yet in the darkest day I will not fear,
For, ’mid the shadows, Thou wilt still be near.

Days there may be of joy and deep delight,
When earth seems fairest, and her skies most bright,
Then draw me closer to Thee, lest I rest
Elsewhere, my Savior, than upon Thy breast.

And all the other days that make my life,
Marked by no special joy or grief or strife,
Days filled with quiet duties, trivial care,
Burdens too small for other hearts to share;

Spend Thou these days with me, all shall be Thine,
So shall the darkest hour with glory shine.
Then when these earthly years have passed away,
Let me be with Thee in the perfect day.

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

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Today’s hymn comes from the Gettys, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa; it is also titled “Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend”. They say “We all know someone who has thought about leaving the faith, who has wondered if it’s all real. Maybe we are that person. This song is for the doubters, the skeptics, the hurting. It’s a reminder that though we are tempted to wander, God rushes after us with open arms. “There’s a truth that’s more than all I feel” — there’s a Rock who is steady through the fiercest storms. This worship track is raw and honest about our struggles, but it overflows with hope meant to point our friends—and us—back to Jesus.¹” Enjoy!

When this life of trials tests my faith
I set my hope on Jesus
When the questions come and doubts remain
I set my hope on Jesus

For the deepest wounds that time won’t heal
There’s a joy that runs still deeper
There’s a truth that’s more than all I feel
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though I falter in this war with sin
I set my hope on Jesus
When I fail the fight and sink within
I set my hope on Jesus

Though the shame would drown me in its sea
And I dread the waves of justice
I will cast my life on Calvary
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though the world call me to leave my Lord
I set my hope on Jesus
Though it offer all its vain rewards
I set my hope on Jesus

Though this heart of mine is prone to stray
Give me grace enough to finish
’Till I worship on that final day
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

¹store.gettymusic.com/uk/album/i-set-my-hope-hymn-for-a-deconstructing-friend/

Today’s hymn comes from the reformer Martin Luther. This hymn was written in 1523 in Wittenberg and is Luther’s first hymn written for congregational singing. The hymn was translated from German by Richard Massie in 1854 and first published in 1524 in Achtliederbuch (Book of Eight Songs), the first printed compilation of Lutheran hymns¹. This is a long one, but well worth the read; enjoy!

Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
with exultation springing,
and with united heart and voice
and holy rapture singing,
proclaim the wonders God has done,
how his right arm the vict’ry won.
How dearly it has cost him!

Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
in sin my mother bore me.
Yet deep and deeper still I fell;
life had became a living hell,
so firmly sin possessed me.

My own good works availed me naught,
no merit they attaining;
my will against God’s judgment fought,
no hope for me remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
left only death to be my share
and hell to be my sentence.

But God beheld my wretched state
before the world’s foundation,
and, mindful of his mercies great,
he planned for my salvation.
A father’s heart he turned to me,
sought my redemption fervently;
he gave his dearest treasure.

He spoke to his belovèd Son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of my crown,
and bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
slay bitter death for them that they
may live with you forever.”

The Son obeyed his Father’s will,
was born of virgin mother,
and, God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
he came to be my brother.
No garb of pomp or pow’r he wore;
a servant’s form like mine he bore
to lead the devil captive.

To me he spoke, “Hold fast to me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be;
for you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, your friend divine,
and evermore you shall be mine;
the foe shall not divide us.

“The foe will shed my precious blood,
me of my life bereaving;
all this I suffer for your good;
be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
my innocence shall bear your sin,
and you are blest forever.

“Now to my Father I depart,
the Holy Spirit sending
and, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
my help to you extending.
He will a source of comfort be,
teach you to know and follow me,
and in all truth will guide you.

“What I on earth have lived and taught
be all your life and teaching;
so shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
and honored in your preaching.
Take care that no one’s man-made laws
should e’er destroy the gospel’s cause;
this final word I leave you.”

¹https://medium.com/cbuworship/dear-christians-one-and-all-rejoice-a-reformation-hymn-e622b560912b

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Today’s hymn comes from August Toplady (1740-1778) who is most notably known for his hymn ‘Rock of Ages’. This hymn I’m sure will give you comfort that the Sovereign Lord God is on our side. I hope this encourages you today. Enjoy!

A sov’reign Protector I have,
unseen, yet forever at hand,
unchangeably faithful to save,
almighty to rule and command.

He smiles, and my comforts abound;
His grace as the dew shall descend;
and walls of salvation surround
the soul He delights to defend.

Inspirer and hearer of pray’r,
Thou Shepherd and Guardian of Thine,
my all to Thy covenant care
I sleeping and waking resign.

If Thou art my Shield and my Sun,
the night is no darkness to me;
and fast as my moments roll on,
they bring me but nearer to Thee.

Kind Author and Ground of my hope,
Thee, Thee, for my God I avow;
my glad Ebenezer set up,
and own Thou hast helped me till now.

I muse on the years that are past,
wherein my defense Thou hast proved;
nor wilt Thou relinquish at last
a sinner so signally loved!

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