Monthly Archives: Feb 2024

Sing!

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Today’s song is Sovereign Grace’s most recent release. 2023. This song is from their upcoming album, which is based on J.I. packer’s classic book Knowing God. Bob Kauflin writes “2023 marked the 50th anniversary of J.I. Packer’s classic book, Knowing God. Since I first read it in the late 70s, I’ve quoted and referred to it more times than I can count… So when my son, Devon, suggested that Sovereign Grace Music write and record an album of songs based on Packer’s book, it was a no-brainer. First, it would be an opportunity to highlight how God has used Knowing God to make theology not only accessible, but delightful. Second, we knew Packer’s book would be a rich resource for songs that connect the head and the heart. Third, we hoped it would cause those who have never read it to do so, and stir those who have already read it to read it again! Finally, good theology always leads to glad doxology. Knowing God isn’t simply a book to read. It’s songs waiting to be sung1.” I’m sure you’ll enjoy this!

Did you draw a breath as the dawn awoke
And does your heart still beat?
Is the mighty Word of the living God
Upholding you? Then sing, O sing

Has the Father’s love filled your longing heart
With grace for every need?
Come and lay your burdens at Jesus’ feet
And find new strength to sing, O sing

Refrain
Morning and evening! Everything breathing
Must sing, O sing!
All of creation rise up and praise
The King of kings and sing!

Has the Son of God died to take away
Your sin and set you free?
Has the Conqueror trampled over death?
Is Christ enthroned? Then sing O sing!

On the final day when the Lord on High
Returns in majesty
We will bow in wonder before the Lamb
And evermore the saints will sing
Yes, evermore the saints will sing!

1https://www.sovereigngrace.com/blog/coming-soon-a-preview-of-the-knowing-god-album

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Christ Is Our Cornerstone

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Today’a hymn is a translation of the Latin hymn, Angularis fundamentum lapis, from Hymns of the Primitive Church, which was translated by Rev. John Chandler, one of the most successful translators of hymns. Ordained as a deacon in 1831 and priest in 1832, he succeeded his father as the patron and vicar of Whitley, in 1837. Enjoy reading this hymn this Lord’s Day!

Christ is our cornerstone,
on him alone we build;
with his true saints alone
the courts of heaven are filled;
on his great love
our hopes we place
of present grace
and joys above.

With psalms and hymns of praise
this place of prayer shall ring;
our voices we will raise,
the Three-in-One to sing;
and thus proclaim
in joyful song
both loud and long
that glorious name.

Here, gracious God, draw near
as in your name we bow;
each true petition hear,
accept each faithful vow;
then more and more
on all who pray
each holy day
your blessings pour.

Here may we gain from heaven
the grace which we implore;
and may that grace, once given,
be with us evermore;
until that day
when all the blessed
to endless rest
are called away.

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Count Your Blessings

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Today’s hymn comes from Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856–1922), an ordained minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had spent some time in the mercantile business with his father in Lumberton, New Jersey, as Johnson Oatman & Son, and in 1892 Oatman had started writing songs1. He has written over 3000 gospel songs and hymns, including this reminder to count the blessings of the Lord. If you’re feeling discouraged or weary today, why not take his advice and count your blessings? Enjoy!

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

1https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/count-your-blessings

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Nothing Between My Soul and the Saviour

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Today’s hymn comes from Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) who has been described as the ‘father of African American Hymnody’. Tindley was granted a license to preach from Bainbridge Street Methodist Church in Philadelphia, where he was employed as a janitor from 1880-1885. In 1902, he was assigned to Bainbridge Street Methodist Episcopal Church as its pastor. The hymn text states that a full life in Christ would require sacrifice of “worldly pleasure” and that we should not be led astray by “this world’s delusive dream”1. I hope you can use these words to tell your soul this today; enjoy!

Nothing between my soul and the Saviour,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream:
I have renounced all sinful pleasure-
Jesus is mine! There’s nothing between.

Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favour:
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure:
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him ever sever-
He is my all! There’s nothing between. [Refrain]

Nothing between, like pride or station:
Self or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved! There’s nothing between. [Refrain]

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self denial-
Triumph at last, with nothing between! [Refrain]

1https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-nothing-between

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Come Down, O Love Divine

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Today’s hymn is one that is usually sung at Pentecost. The original words are an Italian poem, “Discendi amor santo” by the medieval poet Bianco da Siena (1350-1399). In 1861, the Anglo-Irish clergyman and writer Richard Frederick Littledale translated it into English1. Enjoy!

Come down, O Love divine!
seek out this soul of mine
and visit it with your own ardour glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, your holy flame bestowing.

There let it freely burn
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let your glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and make my pathway clear, by your illuming.

Let holy charity
my outward vesture be,
and lowliness become my inner clothing;
true lowliness of heart
which takes the humbler part,
and for its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong
with which the soul will long
shall far surpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace
till we become the place
in which the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

1https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost

Christian! Walk Carefully

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Today’s hymn seems to be by an anonymous author, however it was included in John Dowling’s 1849 ‘Con­fer­ence Hymns’ collection. I hope you heed the warning today; enjoy!

Christian! walk carefully—danger is near;
Work out thy journey with trembling and fear;
Snares from without, and temptations within,
Seek to entice thee again into sin.

Christian! walk humbly—exult not in pride;
All that thou hast is by Je­sus supplied;
He holdeth thee up, He directeth thy ways,
To Him the glo­ry—to Him be the praise.

Christian! walk cheerfully, though the dark storm
Fill the bright sky with the clouds of alarm:
Soon will the clouds and the tempest be past,
And thou shalt dwell with thy Sav­ior at last.

Christian! walk steadfastly, while it is light;
Swift are approaching the shades of the night:
All that thy master hath bidden thee do,
Haste to perform, for the moments are few.

Christian! walk prayerfully—oft wilt thou fall,
If thou forget on thy Sav­ior to call:
Safe shalt thou walk through each trial and care,
If thou art clad in the armor of prayer.

Christian! walk joyfully—trouble and pain
Cease when the haven of rest thou dost gain;
This thy bright glo­ry, and this thy reward,
Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!

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O Thou, From Whom All Goodness Flow

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Today’s hymn comes from Thomas Haweis (1734–1820), The collection of hymns this comes from was dedicated to Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, who loved hymns and was a patreon of Methodism; Haweis was one of her chaplains. This hymn was beloved by Henry Martyn (1781–1812), an Anglican missionary to India and Turkey. In his journal he wrote recalled the lyrics to this hymn when faced with persecution1. Enjoy!

O thou from whom all goodness flows, 
I lift my soul to thee; 
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes, 
Good Lord, remember me. 

When on my aching, burdened heart 
My sins lie heavily, 
Thy pardon grant, new peace impart: 
Good Lord, remember me. 

When trials sore obstruct my way, 
And ills I cannot flee, 
O let my strength be as my day: 
Good Lord, remember me. 

If, for thy sake, upon my name 
Shame and reproach shall be, 
All hail reproach, and welcome shame! 
Good Lord, remember me. 

If worn with pain, disease, or grief, 
This feeble frame should be, 
Grant patience, rest, and kind relief: 
Good Lord, remember me. 

When, in the solemn hour of death, 
I wait thy just decree, 
Be this the pray’r of my last breath: 
Good Lord, remember me.

1hymnologyarchive.com/o-thou-from-whom-all-goodness-flows

Lamb of God

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Today’s hymn comes from Twila Paris, and sung by Hymns of Grace collective. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one!

Your only Son, no sin to hide,
But You have sent Him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod,
And to become the Lamb of God.

Refrain
O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God;
I love the holy Lamb of God.
O wash me in His precious blood.
My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God

Your gift of love they crucified,
They laughed and scorned Him as He died;
The humble King they named a fraud,
And sacrificed the Lamb of God. [Refrain]

I was so lost I should have died,
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod,
And to be called a lamb of God. [Refrain]

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Little Is Much When God Is In It

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Today’s hymn comes from Kittie Suffield (1884-1972), a talented American musician and singer, who travelled with her husband, Fred Suffield, an evangelist. They sometimes worked with George Beverly Shea, the song director for the Billy Graham crusades1. With this background it makes sense that Mrs Suffield would write a song about missions and spreading the gospel. I hope you find this one encouraging today; enjoy!

In the harvest field now ripened,
There’s a work for all to do.
Hark, the voice of God is calling,
To the harvest calling you.

Refrain
Little is much when God is in it.
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.

In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus’ love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life. [Refrain]

Does the place you’re called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own. [Refrain]

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer. [Refrain]

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
“Welcome home, My child well done!” [Refrain]

1https://hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/19/little-is-much-when-god-is-in-it/comment-page-1/

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If Christ Is Mine

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Today’s song is the most recent release from UK group Joyful Noise. Speaking of the song they say “If Christ is mine celebrates the sufficiency of Christ for the believer. We are united with him in all his fullness – all of Christ is all of ours. He is enough1.” Enjoy this one!

If Christ is mine I need no more
He is the greatest gift of all 
The one who angel hosts adore
Now has me safely in his hold
His life my life! His death my death!
All mine his every righteous breath!
‘My precious child!’ the father cries
When all of Christ is all of mine!

If Christ is mine my guilt is gone
It died with Him upon the tree
The weight of sin I held so long
Was laid on Jesus there for me
O sweet forgiveness! Precious peace!
Condemned no more! My soul is free!
My weary burden cast aside!
When all of Christ is all of mine!

If Christ is mine I will not fear
Though many stand against his name
Above their noise his voice is clear
‘Behold! I’ve overcome the grave!’
My living lord! My risen king!
What’s left to fear if I’m with him?
For death is swallowed up in life
When all of Christ is all of mine!

What joy to know that Christ is mine!
Who holds me ever in his love
The sure foundation of my life
Whose grace will always be enough!
Though all I have is stripped away
Still I rejoice for Christ remains!
And when he comes he’ll lift me high
For all of Christ is all of mine!

1joyfulnoise.uk/our-music/

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