Today’s hymn comes from Timothy Dwight (1752-1817), grandson of the famous pastor and Theologian Jonathan Edwards. He served as a chaplain under George Washington during the Revolutionary War and wrote songs and sermons for the men in his regiment. When Dwight returned from military service in 1778, he became a successful farmer, a Congregational minister at Greenfield, Connecticut, a state legislator, and a member of the faculty at Yale, where he was named president in 1795. Dwight was also was one of the first American hymn writers. He wrote 33 hymns, with the one for this week perhaps being his best known. This hymn was published in 1800 at the beginning of the Second Great Awakening1. This is a good one to mediate on before the Lord’s Day; enjoy!
I love thy kingdom, Lord,
the house of thine abode,
the church our blest Redeemer saved
with his own precious blood.
I love thy church, O God:
her walls before thee stand,
dear as the apple of thine eye
and graven on thy hand.
For her my tears shall fall,
for her my prayers ascend;
to her my cares and toils be giv’n,
’til toils and cares shall end.
Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heav’nly ways,
her sweet communion, solemn vows,
her hymns of love and praise.
Jesus, thou Friend divine,
our Savior and our King,
thy hand from ev’ry snare and foe
shall great deliv’rance bring.
Sure as thy truth shall last,
to Zion shall be giv’n
the brightest glories earth can yield,
and brighter bliss of heav’n.
1umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-love-thy-kingdom-lord-by-timothy-dwight
Hymn of the Day 