Author Archives: hymnoftheday

In Heavenly Love Abiding

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Today’s hymn is a suggested hymn from a subscriber. The hymn comes from Anna Letitia Waring (1823-1910) who was a Quaker and then became a member of the Church of England. She had a particular concern for the welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners and she learned Hebrew in order to be able to read the Old Testament in the original. She published a number of books of her own hymns as well as writings on moral and religious themes; this particular hymn has been described as a ‘beautiful variation’ of Psalm 23. Julian’s Dictionary of Hymnology noted that her hymns were ‘marked by great simplicity, concentration of thought, and elegance of diction’1. I do love reading and researching the hymns subscribers suggest to me, so please do send any suggestions through the form! Enjoy!

In heavenly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe is such confiding,
for nothing changes here:
the storm may roar without me,
my heart may low be laid;
but God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
no want shall turn me back;
my Shepherd is beside me,
and nothing can I lack:
his wisdom ever waketh,
his sight is never dim,
he knows the way he taketh,
and I will walk with him.

Green pastures are before me,
which yet I have not seen;
bright skies will soon be o’er me,
where darkest clouds have been;
my hope I cannot measure,
my path to life is free;
my Saviour has my treasure,
and he will walk with me.

1music.churchofscotland.org.uk/hymn/551-in-heavenly-love-abiding

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O Spirit, Lift Our Eyes to Jesus

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Today’s song is a collaboration between pastor writer Trevin Wax and Matt Boswell. Telling the story in 2017 of this hymn Trevin writes “Right now, I serve as the primary teaching pastor at my church. Every week, I pray that the Spirit would move among us—showing us the glory of Jesus through his Word, through our worship, and in our church’s service to the community. I wanted to put those prayers to music, so that our congregation could sing/pray together. That’s how the title came about: “O Spirit, Lift Our Eyes to Jesus.” Once we had the title, Matt got to work on the melody, and I worked on the words1.” I hope God answers this prayer for you today; enjoy!

O Spirit, lift our eyes to Jesus,
help us see Him in Your word.
The Hero of our great redemption,
suffering Saviour, risen Lord.
Over clouds of sin and sorrow,
raise us up to see our King.
O make our hearts to burn within us,
open eyes, and we will sing.

O Spirit, lift our hearts to Jesus,
make His love our sole delight,
with ever-living bread from heaven,
hungry beggars, satisfy.
Overwhelm cold hearts with kindness,
wake us with good news of grace.
O lift us up to taste His goodness,
come and set our souls ablaze.

O Spirit, lift our hands to Jesus,
give us strength to do His will.
With open arms and true compassion,
His commands we would fulfil.
Overcome our hearts’ resistance
with the beauty of His scars.
O, set us free for love and service,
make His hands and heart be ours.

1thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/the-story-behind-a-hymn-i-wrote-with-matt-boswell-o-spirit-lift-our-eyes-to-jesus/?amp

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Nothing Know We of the Season

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Today’s hymn comes from Irishman Thomas Kelly (1769-1855). He trained to become a barrister and entered the Bar, but after a spiritual experience became a preacher instead in 1782. His hymns, 765 in all, were composed and published over a period of 51 years. This hymn is based on 1 Thess 5:1-11, which Paul says we should encourage each other with. I hope these words are an encouragement to you!

Nothing know we of the season
When the world shall pass away;
But we know, the saints have reason
To expect a glorious day;
When the Saviour shall return,
And His people cease to mourn.

While a careless world is sleeping,
Then it is the day will come;
Mirth will then be turned to weeping,
Sinners then must meet their doom;
But the people of the Lord
Shall obtain their bright reward.

O what sacred joys await them!
They shall see the Saviour then;
Those who now oppose and hate them
Never can oppose again;
Brethren, let us think of this:
All is ours, if we are His.

Waiting for the Lord’s returning,
Be it ours His word to keep;
Let our lamps be always burning;
Let us watch while others sleep;
We’re no longer of the night;
We are children of the light.

Being of the favoured number
Whom the Saviour calls His own,
’Tis not meet that we should slumber,
Nothing should be left undone:
This should be His people’s aim,
Still to glorify His name!

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Jesus Hath Died That I Might Live

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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!

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The Word of God

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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]

1cbckaty.org/cornerstone-music/

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Church of God, Elect and Glorious

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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.

1hymnary.org/text/church_of_god_elect_and_glorious#Author

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If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee

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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.

1hymnary.org/person/Neumark_GC
2desiringgod.org/interviews/john-pipers-favorite-hymn

Confidence (Oppressed with Sin and Woe)

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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!

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Psalm 119 – Teth

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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

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When All Thy Mercies, O My God

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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.

1hymnary.org/person/Addison_Joseph
2wordwisehymns.com/2015/01/19/when-all-thy-mercies-o-my-god/