Author Archives: hymnoftheday

Strange Is The Faithful Christian’s Life

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Today’s hymn is by Paul Henkel (1781–1825) who was a native of North Carolina and became an itinerant evangelist for the Lutheran Church in the eastern United States. He was licensed as a preacher by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1783. Although he did receive some financial assistance for his missionary work, the majority of the expenses were paid for out of his own pocket. His work included preaching, baptizing, and creating new congregations in the communities he visited. In 1806 he began distributing books through his sons’ printing house, the Henkel Press, which thus became the only Lutheran publishing house in the country for many years. He also continued his missionary travels, and helped form the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio in 1818 and the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod in 18201. Enjoy this one on the reality of the Christian life.

Strange is the faithful christian’s life,
What doth he feel within?
A constant war, continual strife,
To crush the pow’r of sin.

He seeks the will of God to do,
And should he watch and pray;
Yet his own will is working too!
And leads his mind astray.

What oppositions does he fell!
Doth not the thing he should.
Contrary to his mind and will,
He cannot as he would.

The flesh against the spirit lust,
The will is captive led;
Until the soul renews the trust;
In Christ the living head.

Thus shall he overcome at last!
In vain he shall not strive;
For Jesus has him promise pass’d,
To keep his faith alive.

Influenc’d by the spirit’ pow’r!
His lusts shall be subdu’d–
And he shall be enslav’d no more,
Nor break his peace with God.

Dear Lord, with hopes on thee relied,
I know I shall succeed:
Till all my lusts are crucified,
And I be fully freed.

1en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Henkel

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Come Unto Jesus

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Today’s song comes from Matt Merker, Laura Story, and Jordan Kauflin. It’s an adaption of the older “Come Ye Disconsolate” by Thomas Moore and Thomas Hastings which I have posted previously. Do you lay your burdens onto Jesus as he invites us in Matthew 11:28-29? I hope you do dear friend. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this acoustic version!

Come unto Jesus, all you who are weary;
Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.
Here bring your wounded hearts, broken and needy;
Come unto Jesus, mighty to heal.

​Joy of the comfortless, Light for the straying,
Hope of the penitent, Peace in our strife;
Here speaks the Comforter, tenderly saying:
“My yoke is easy, my burden is light.”

Refrain​
Come unto Jesus,
Come unto Jesus.
Lay down your burdens, He is enough;
Come unto Jesus, rest in His love.

​Come taste the Bread of Life, broken for sinners;
Drink from the cup of His promise made sure.
Feast at His table as sons and as daughters;
Grace overflowing is yours evermore.

​Come now and follow Him, this life forsaking;
All that was gain, count as nothing but loss.
Trade all this world for His kingdom unfading;
Come unto Jesus, take up your cross;
Come unto Jesus, take up your cross;
Life everlasting He offers to us.

You may need to head to Youtube directly to listen to this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfOF-fE5PDw

Faint Not, Christian! Though The Road

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Today’s hymn comes from James Harrington Evans (1785-1849), son of the Rev. Dr. Evans, priest-vicar of Salisbury Cathedral, was born. Taking Holy Orders in 1808 he remained in the Church of England until 1815, when he seceded, and became a Baptist Minister. He was the Minister of John Street Baptist Chapel, Gray’s Inn Road, London, for many years1. J C Ryle included this hymn in his selection of hymns called “Hymns and Spiritual Songs”. Writing of this collection, Ryle says “If the three hundred hymns, which I now send forth, shall do good to the weakest lamb in Christ’s flock, and shall comfort, cheer, establish, or build up one suffering member of Christ’s mystical body, the labour which I have expended in collecting them, will be more than repaid.”2 I hope this hymn is an encouragement to you to persevere today; enjoy!

Faint not, Christian! though the road
Leading to Thy blest abode
Darksome be, and dang’rous too,
Christ, thy Guide, will bring thee through

Faint not, Christian! though in rage
Satan doth thy soul engage;
Take thee faith’s anointed shield,
Bear it to the battle-field.

Faint not, Christian! though the world
Hath its hostile flag unfurled;
Hold the Cross of Jesus fast,
Thou shalt overcome at last.

Faint not, Christian! though within
There’s a heart so prone to sin;
Christ, thy Lord, is over all,
He’ll not suffer thee to fall.

Faint not, Christian! though thy God
Smite thee with the chast’ning rod;
Smite He must with Father’s care,
That He may His love declare.

Faint not, Christian! Christ is near;
Soon in glory He’ll appear;
Then shall end thy toil and strife,
Death be swallowed up of life.

1hymnary.org/text/faint_not_christian_though_the_road
2gracegems.org/Ryle/ryle_hymns.htm

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My God, I Thank Thee, Who Hast Made

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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

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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]

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The Lord Eternal Reigns

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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

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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

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Jesus, Blessed Saviour

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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

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God Is Working His Purpose Out

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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

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I Must Tell Jesus

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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

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