Not In Me

Posted on 20th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

This song written by Eric Schumacher & David L. Ward is a model song for confession and repentance. It’s a song that proclaims that before God, we cannot boast of any good work. The only hope we have is the righteousness that is declared to us by Christ’s death and resurrection. We often sing this hymn on the days we celebrate the Lord’s Table at our church as it’s very fitting to mediate on the goodness, mercy and hope of Christ. Enjoy!

No list of sins I have not done,
No list of virtues I pursue –
No list of those I am not like.
Can earn myself a place with You.
O God, be merciful to me,
I am a sinner through and through;
My only hope of righteousness,
Is not in me, but only You.

No humble dress, no fervent prayer,
No lifted hands, no tearful song.
No recitation of the truth,
Can justify a single wrong.
My righteousness is Jesus’ life;
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death.
My weary load was borne by Him,
And He alone can give me rest.

No separation from the world.
No work I do, no gift I give.
Can cleanse my conscience, cleanse my hands,
I cannot cause my soul to live.
But Jesus died and rose again,
The power of death is overthrown.
My God is merciful to me,
And merciful in Christ alone.

My righteousness is Jesus’ life,
My debt was paid by Jesus’ death.
My weary load was borne by Him,
And He alone can give me rest,
Yes, He alone can give me rest

And Can It Be

Posted on 19th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

According to the editor of The Oxford Edition of the Works of John Wesley (Oxford: Clarendon, 1975-1983, vol. 7), “And Can It Be” was written immediately after Charles Wesley’s conversion (May 21, 1738). Wesley knew his Bible well prior to this time, but had not yet experienced assurance of new birth or the fulness of grace in his life. The editor also that it was probably this hymn, or “Where Should My Wond’ring Soul Begin?” that was sung late on the evening of his brother John’s Aldersgate Street conversion just three days later on May 24¹.

And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Refrain
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

‘Tis mystery all! Th’Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

Refrain

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Refrain

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Refrain

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Refrain

¹thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/charles-wesleys-and-can-it-be-background-and-scriptural-allusions/

Day By Day

Posted on 18th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

This hymn was suggested by a subscriber of the blog and was written in 1865 by Swedish hymn writer Carolina “Lina” Sandell Berg several years after she had witnessed the tragic drowning death of her father. Having been through that experience, she still could write about God, “He whose heart is kind beyond all measure gives unto each day what he deems best.” In the second stanza, she refers to Deuteronomy 33:25b: “as your days, so shall your strength be” (ESV)¹. It is a hymn of assurance used in American congregational singing and started appearing in American hymnals in the latter half of the 1920s, and its popularity has increased since then. The hymn’s Swedish name is “Blott en dag,” its first three words in Swedish. The words mean “just one day” or “just another day.” In Sweden and Finland, it is popular at funerals. As this hymn is sung, remember that, though no human can accurately foretell the future, God knows what will happen and is also in complete control of all coming events.

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”–
This the pledge to me he made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation
So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

_¹https://hymnary.org/text/day_by_day_and_with_each_passing_moment
²https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_by_Day_(hymn)

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

Posted on 17th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

“My Worth Is Not in What I Own” s a song that speaks to the subject of worth by reminding us that true significance is found in our identity in Christ. Kristyn and Keith Getty wrote it with their good friend, Graham Kendrick, in an attempt to reclaim two glorious truths. The first is that we, as men and women created in the image and likeness of the Creator, are created with intrinsic worth. The second truth is that given our pervasive rebellion against the King, we are all unworthy of the value with which he crowns us. Yet God sent his Son so our worth might be found in something far grander than ourselves. In Christ, no longer do we look to our own accomplishments and achievements to find significance. We look instead to his perfect work on our behalf, and there our souls find the true sense of identity we so crave. The chorus of the song draws from the rich imagery of 1 Peter, which depicts Jesus as an inheritance and treasure far greater than anything this world has to offer¹. Enjoy!

My worth is not in what I own
Not in the strength of flesh and bone
But in the costly wounds of love
At the cross

My worth is not in skill or name
In win or lose, in pride or shame
But in the blood of Christ that flowed
At the cross

Refrain:
I rejoice in my Redeemer
Greatest Treasure,
Wellspring of my soul
I will trust in Him, no other.
My soul is satisfied in Him alone.

As summer flowers we fade and die
Fame, youth and beauty hurry by
But life eternal calls to us
At the cross

I will not boast in wealth or might
Or human wisdom’s fleeting light
But I will boast in knowing Christ
At the cross

Refrain

Two wonders here that I confess
My worth and my unworthiness
My value fixed – my ransom paid
At the cross

Refrain

¹thegospelcoalition.org/article/my-worth-is-not-in-what-i-own/

Love Constraining to Obedience

Posted on 16th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

We owe again to William Cowper for this wonderful hymn, which he contributed to Olney Hymns in 1772 – 1773, a collaboration with John Newton; it is found in the third book of the Olney Hymns, hymns on “The Spiritual Life”. Cowper drew his subject matter for this hymn from his own meditation on Romans 3. Surely he drew from others subconsciously, as well as from his own experience, but he published a reference to Romans 3:31, along with this text, in the Olney Hymnal. Romans 3:19-20 says, “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”¹ I did find some song versions of this song I liked, however the words are so powerful that they are worth meditating on alone. Enjoy!

No strength of nature can suffice
To serve the Lord aright:
And what she has she misapplies,
For want of clearer light.

How long beneath the Law I lay
In bondage and distress;
I toiled the precept to obey,
But toiled without success.

Then, to abstain from outward sin
Was more than I could do;
Now, if I feel its power within,
I feel I hate it too.

Then all my servile works were done
A righteousness to raise;
Now, freely chosen in the Son,
I freely choose His ways.

‘What shall I do,’ was then the word,
‘That I may worthier grow?’
‘What shall I render to the Lord?’
Is my inquiry now.

To see the law by Christ fulfilled
And hear His pardoning voice,
Changes a slave into a child,
And duty into choice.

¹theaquilareport.com/love-constraining-to-obedience/

Let Me Find Thee

Posted on 15th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

This hymn is rewritten by Matthew Smith, and based on a text written by Joachin Neander. Neander was born in Germany in 1650. Grandson of a musician and son of a teacher, Neander studied theology at Bremen University (1666-70), moved his studies to Heidelberg in 1671, and in 1673 he moved to Frankfurt, where he met Pietistic scholars Philipp Jakob Spener (1635-1705) and Johann Schütz (1640-90). From 1674-79, Neander was principal of the Reformed Lateinschule (grammar school) in Düsseldorf. During these years, he used to wander the secluded Düssel River valley, which was, until the 19th Century, a deep ravine between rock faces and forests, with numerous caves, grottos and waterfalls. Probably, Neander wrote and sang many of his poems there, but also held gatherings and services. In the early 19th Century, a large cave was named Neanderhöhle after him. In 1679, Neander moved to Bremen and worked as assistant preacher at St. Martini church. The next year he became seriously ill and died, presumably of the plague¹. He also wrote the words the popular hymn “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty”.

Behold me here, in grief draw near,
Pleading at Thy throne oh King.
To Thee each tear, each trembling fear,
Jesus Son of Man I bring.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Lord of mercy King of grace.

Look down in love, and from above,
With Thy Spirit satisfy.
Thou hast sought me, Thou hast bought me,
And thy purchase Lord am I.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Here on earth and then on high.

Hear the broken, scarcely spoken,
Longings of my heart to thee
All the crying, all the sighing,
Of Thy child accepted be.
Let me find Thee, Let me find Thee.
Let me find Thee,
Wounded healer, suffering Lord.

¹hymnbook.igracemusic.com/people/joachim-neander

What Wondrous Love Is This?

Posted on 14th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

Although various sources have attributed this text to a number of different writers, it remains anonymous. “What Wondrous Love” was first published in both Stith Mead’s hymnal for Methodists, A General Selection of the Newest and Most Admired Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1811), and in Starke Dupuy’s hymnal for Baptists, Hymns and Spiritual Songs (1811). This hymn meditates on Christ’s wonderful love (verse 1), which brought about our salvation (verse 2), a love to which we and the “millions” respond with eternal praise (verse 3-4)¹. Enjoy!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down, sinking down,
when I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb, who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing his love for me,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

¹hymnary.org/text/what_wondrous_love_is_this_o_my_soul_o_m

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Posted on 13th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

Born in 1864, Helen Lemmel moved to the United States around the age of twelve. From a young age, her musical ability was noticed by all those around her. In 1907, She moved to Germany for 4 years to undergo intensive music training. It was here that she would meet her husband. Together, they returned to the United States in 1911. While in America, she served faithfully in the Lord’s work. She dedicated herself to writing, arranging, and teaching songs and hymns of the faith. A few years after her marriage, a tragic illness caused her to lose her vision. Her husband, refusing to attend to a blind wife, left her. This time of hurt and loss weighed heavily upon Helen. Then, in 1918, Lemmel was introduced to a pamphlet written by Algerian missionary Lilias Trotter. Trotter was a well-known artist who had given up a rising and lucrative career to serve the Lord on the misson field. Her words stirred the heart of Lemmel, particularly “Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look…look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him” which inspired this hymn¹.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Thro’ death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion–
For more than conqu’rors we are!

Refrain

His Word shall not fail you–He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Refrain

¹enjoyingthejourney.org/hymn-history-turn-your-eyes-upon-jesus/

I Lay My Sins on Jesus

Posted on 12th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

Since the children in his children could become noisy and restless, Pastor Horatius Bonar wrote a hymn “in a desire to provide something which children could sing and appreciate in divine worship”. Bonar wrote many of his hymns for the children, yet “they are so spiritually profound they will always satisfy the most mature Christian mind, despite it”s simplicity”¹. Enjoy this hymn this Lord’s Day!

I lay my sins on Jesus,
The spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
From the accursed load.
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
To wash my crimson stains
White in his blood most precious,
Till not a spot remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus;
All fullness dwells in him;
He heals all my diseases,
My soul he does redeem.
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
My burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus,
This weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I in his arms recline.
I love the name of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
Like fragrance on the breezes
His name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus,
Meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
The Father’s holy child.
I long to be with Jesus
Amid the heav’nly throng,
To sing with saints his praises,
To learn the angels’ song.

¹page 219 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church

From Depths of Woe I Raise to Thee

Posted on 11th Feb 2023 by hymnoftheday

This hymn was written by reformer Martin Luther in 1524 as “Aus Tiefer Not” and translated by Richard Massie in the 1800s. This hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 130, and was a great favourite of Luthers, calling it a Pauline Psalm —along with Psalm 32, 51, and 143_¹. Martin Luther highly encouraged the singing of Psalms and included them in his liturgical reforms. He began writing hymns in 1523 and composed them until his death in 1546². Under his Roman Catholic theology, Martin Luther’s struggle with understanding how could a sinful man as himself be accepted by a righteous God is well documented; until he finally came to the right understanding by the Spirit of God of Romans 1:17 “the righteous shall live by faith”. You can hear the echoes of relief from the burden of our sins by the grace and mercy of God in this Psalm and song. Enjoy!

From depths of woe I raise to thee
the voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me
and hear my supplication:
if thou iniquities dost mark,
our secret sins and misdeeds dark,
O who shall stand before thee?

To wash away the crimson stain,
grace, grace alone, availeth;
our works, alas! are all in vain;
in much the best life faileth:
no man can glory in thy sight,
all must alike confess thy might,
and live alone by mercy.

Therefore my trust is in the Lord,
and not in mine own merit;
on him my soul shall rest, his Word
upholds my fainting spirit:
his promised mercy is my fort,
my comfort, and my sweet support;
I wait for it with patience.

What though I wait the live-long night,
and ’til the dawn appeareth,
my heart still trusteth in his might;
it doubteth not nor feareth:
do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
ye of the Spirit born indeed;
and wait ’til God appeareth.

Though great our sins and sore our woes,
his grace much more aboundeth;
his helping love no limit knows,
our utmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is he,
who will at last his Israel free
from all their sin and sorrow.

¹hymnary.org/text/from_depths_of_woe_i_raise_to_thee
²umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-out-of-the-depths-i-cry-to-you

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