I Cannot Tell

Today’s hymn is written by Rv William Young Fullerton who was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1857. He was raised Presbyterian, but became a Baptist preacher, administrator, and writer. When a young man he was influenced by the preaching of Charles Spurgeon, who became his friend and mentor. He became pastor of the Melbourne Hall Baptist Church. Thousands of people came to Christ under his ministry. Fullerton served as President of the Baptist Union and Home Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Society. He published works, including biographies of John Bunyan, Charles Spurgeon, James William Condell Fegan, and Frederick Brotherton Meyer, as well as compiling several hymnals1.

I cannot tell why he,
whom angels worship,
should set his love
upon the sons of men,
or why, as Shepherd,
he should seek the wanderers,
to bring them back,
they know not how or when.
But this I know,
that he was born of Mary,
when Bethlehem’s manger
was his only home,
and that he lived
at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour,
Saviour of the world, is come.

I cannot tell
how silently he suffered,
as with his peace
he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart
upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain
to three and thirty years.
But this I know,
he heals the broken-hearted,
and stays our sin,
and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden
from the heavy laden,
for yet the Saviour,
Saviour of the world, is here.

I cannot tell
how all the lands shall worship,
when, at his bidding,
every storm is stilled,
or who can say
how great the jubilation
when all the hearts of men
with love are filled.
But this I know,
the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad, myriad
human voices sing,
and Earth to Heaven,
and Heaven to Earth, will answer:
Jesus the Saviour,
Saviour of the world, is King!

1hymnary.org/person/Fullerton_WY

Psalm 103

This rewording of Psalm 103 was written by James Montgomery. He was editor of the Sheffield Iris (1796-1827), a newspaper that sometimes espoused radical causes. Montgomery was imprisoned briefly when he printed a song that celebrated the fall of the Bastille and again when he described a riot in Sheffield that reflected unfavourably on a military commander. He also protested against slavery, the lot of boy chimney sweeps, and lotteries. Associated with Christians of various persuasions, Montgomery supported missions and the British Bible Society. He published eleven volumes of poetry, mainly his own, and at least four hundred hymns1.

O my soul with all thy powers,
bless the Lord’s most holy name.
O my soul till life’s last hours,
bless the Lord, His praise proclaim.
Thine infirmities He healed,
He thy peace and pardon sealed.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name

He with loving-kindness crowned thee,
Satisfied thy mouth with good.
From the snares of death unbound thee,
Eagle-like thy youth renewed.
Rich in tender mercy He,
Slow to wrath, to favour free.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name.

Refrain
Bless the Lord, O my soul
Bless the Lord, O my soul
Bless the Lord, O my soul
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul

He will not retain displeasure,
Though awhile He hide His face.
Nor His God-like bounty measure,
By our merit, but His grace.
As the heaven the earth transcends,
Over us His care extends.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name.

Far as east and west are parted,
He our sins hath severed thus.
As a father, loving-hearted,
Spares his son, He spareth us.
For He knows our feeble frame,
He remembers whence we came.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name

Refrain

From eternity enduring,
To eternity, the Lord.
Still His people’s bliss insuring,
Keeps His covenanted word
Yea, with truth and righteousness,
Children’s children He will bless.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name.

As in heaven, His throne and dwelling,
King on earth He holds His sway.
Angels, ye in strength excelling,
Bless the Lord, His voice obey.
All His works across the Earth,
Bless the Lord, proclaim His worth.
O my soul! with all thy powers
Bless the Lord’s most holy name.

Refrain

1hymnary.org/person/Montgomery_James

A Christian’s Daily Prayer

This song by Sovereign Grace is a prayer that we would all do well to pray to God – structured to draw near to God during the morning, the day and the night, this song will stir your heart to see our daily need for God.

As morning dawns and day awakes,
To You I bring my need.
O gracious God, my source of strength,
In You I live and breathe.
Each hour is Yours by wisdom planned,
Each deed empowered by sovereign hands.
Renew my spirit, help me stand;
Be glorified today

As day unfolds, I seek Your will
In all of life’s demands.
And though the tempter tries me still,
I cling to Your commands.
Let every effort of my life
Display the matchless worth of Christ.
Make me a living sacrifice;
Be glorified today.

As sun gives way to darkest night
Your Spirit still is here.
And though my strength fades like the light
New mercies will appear.
I rest in You; abide with me
Until our trials and suffering –
Give way to final victory;
Be glorified, today; be glorified, I pray

Thy Mercy, My God

Not much is known about the author John Stocker, other than he lived in Honitan, Devonshire. He is considered a friend of A. M. Toplady (who wrote “Rock of Ages”) and Stocker contributed nine hymns to “The Gospel Magazine” in 1776-17771. This hymn, included in Spurgeon’s Own Hymn Book, is a personal favourite of mine.

Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song,
The joy of my heart. and the boast of my tongue;
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.

Without Thy sweet mercy I could not live here;
Sin would reduce me to utter despair;
But, through Thy free goodness, my spirits revive,
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart;
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground,
And weep to the praise of the mercy I’ve found.

Great Father of mercies, Thy goodness I own,
And the covenant love of Thy crucified Son;
All praise to the Spirit, Whose whisper divine
Seals mercy, and pardon, and righteousness mine.

1bibletruthpublishers.com/john-stocker/adrian-roach/the-little-flock-hymn-book-its-history-and-hymn-writers/a-roach/la105012

Be a Lamp

This song is written by Kha Do, Assistant Professor of Music and Worship at Boyce College. He has also spent time leading Norton Hall Band, a music ministry of Southern Seminary. Norton Hall Band’s purpose is “to lead in worship that centres around the gospel and is birthed out of the Word of God”1. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the below song and words by the band.

Be a lamp for all my days Lord
Bear a torch that I might see;
Through the fog of bitter pain
And know Your purpose lies beneath.
Oh to taste and see the gospel
As I never have before;
Be a lamp for all my days
And I shall walk in endless joy.

As I sojourn cross this dessert
Through the plains of doubtful night;
Speak the words that guide my footsteps
Let them shine as stars so bright.
Point me northward to thy country
Where my soul will find its home;
Be a lamp for all my days
And I shall walk in endless joy.

You’re the lamp, the light of heaven
Dawn of mercy for all men;
Through Your death and resurrection
Sons of night are born again.
What a gift so free and moving
Sets ablaze my fainting soul;
Be a lamp for all my days
And I shall walk in endless joy.

Oh to taste and see the gospel
As I never have before;
Be a lamp for all my days
And I shall walk in endless joy.

1https://www.sbts.edu/bgs/biblical-worship/norton-hall-band/

Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts

This hymn, attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, was translated from the Latin in 1858 (a loose paraphrase rather than a strict translation) by Dr. Ray Palmer, a Congregational pastor from Albany, New York.  It would seem almost fair to say that the hymn as we know it was written by Bernard of Clairvaux and Palmer of Albany.  Dr. Palmer also wrote several hymns on his own, the best known being “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”1. Bernard of Clairvaux, born 1090, was a mystic French Catholic monk, and an influential church leader in the Middle Ages. He made statements suggestive of imputed righteousness and seemed to embrace a form of the doctrine of sole fide. His writings on these topics were used by Reformers of later centuries to support their efforts2.

Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
From the best bliss that earth imparts,
We turn unfilled to Thee again.

Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood,
Thou savest those that on Thee call,
To them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
To them that find, Thee all in all.

We taste of Thee, O living bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still,
We drink of Thee the fountainhead,
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
Wherever our changeful lot is cast,
Glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
Blessed when our faith can hold Thee fast.

O Jesus, ever with us stay,
Make all our moments calm and bright,
Chase the dark night of sin away,
Shed over the world Thy holy light.

1sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesusthou-joy-loving-hearts/
2gotquestions.org/Bernard-of-Clairvaux.html

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Another hymn by William Cowper, this hymn has often been described as the finest hymn ever written on God’s providence. No doubt the experience of Cowper losing his mother when he was six, being shipped to boarding school not long after, and suffering sever depression most of his life, helped shape this hymn. Renowned British hymnologist Erik Routley compares this hymn text to a Rembrandt painting: its dark background sets off the bright light of truth in the foreground. Over it Cowper wrote John 13:7: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”1. The song version I have included below has slightly different lyrics, but is great nonetheless.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants his footsteps on the sea
And rides upon the storm;
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

You fearful saints fresh courage take
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head;
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust him for his grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower;
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain.

1page 117 – Leeman, D. and Leeman, B., 2022. Our Hymns, Our Heritage: A Student Guide to Songs of the Church

The Love Of God is Greater Far

The text of stanzas 1 and 2 and the tune (Lehman) was composed by Frederick Martin Lehman, who was born on August 7, 1868, at Mecklenburg in Schwerin, Germany. Lehman emigrated to America with his family at age four, settling in Iowa, where he lived most of his childhood. Studying for the ministry at Northwestern College in Naperville, IL, he became a Nazarene minister and served churches in Audubon, IA, and New London, IN1. Lehman wrote a pamphlet, in 1948, entitled History of the Song, The Love of God which tells about the origin of this beloved hymn “While at camp-meeting in a midwestern state, some fifty years ago in our early ministry, an evangelist climaxed his message by quoting the last stanza of this song, written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter.”. The profound depths of the line moved us to preserve the words for future generations. Not until we had come to California in 19172. The version I have included below includes only 2 of 3 stanzas, but still will have you singing joyfully.

The love of God is greater far
than tongue or pen can ever tell;
it goes beyond the highest star,
and reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

When ancient time shall pass away,
and human thrones and kingdoms fall;
when those who here refuse to pray
on rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
all measureless and strong;
grace will resound the whole earth round—
the saints’ and angels’ song.

Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
and were the skies of parchment made;
were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill,
and ev’ryone a scribe by trade;
to write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry;
nor could the scroll contain the whole,
though stretched from sky to sky.

Refrain

1hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2017/11/20/the-love-of-god-is-greater-far/
2barryshymns.blogspot.com/2011/01/love-of-god.html

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Edward Perronet was the son of the Rev. Vincent Perronet, Vicar of Shoreham, Kent. For some time he was an intimate associate of the Wesleys, at Canterbury and Norwich. He afterwards became pastor of a dissenting congregation1. The original hymn, written in 1780, has gone through many alterations, including an 8 stanza version calling groups of people to worship: seraphs, morning stars, martyrs, the seed of Israel’s chosen race, heirs of David’s line, sinners, and every tribe and tongue, as well as different tunes, one of which has transformed many congregations into instant choirs2. Below is my favourite version.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!

O seed of Israel’s chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!

Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!

Oh, that with all the sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.

1hymnary.org/text/all_hail_the_power_of_jesus_name_let
2hymnologyarchive.com/all-hail-the-power-of-jesus-name

Here We Stand

This song is taken from my favourite worship band’s forthcoming album (which is not yet released). They are a worship group who exists to encourage and equip the church in biblical, beautiful and transformative singing1. I first heard this song live at a “Night In with Emu” event in Oxford, where they explained the vision of this album was to write songs for congregations specifically about what God says about His Bride, the Church. I love this one as a reminder that we stand as God’s people, redeemed, precious in His sight, standing on the truth, waiting for our Saviour.

Here we stand the church of the redeemed
Ransomed by the blood that sets us free
From the darkness, brought into the light 
Enemies of God now his delight
From the depths called to highest heights
Here we stand, the church of the redeemed
We are his, precious in his sight
Here we stand the church of the redeemed  

Here we stand contending for the faith
Standing for the truth in every age 
We are weak, but Jesus, he is strong
In the Spirit’s power we labour on
And we know victory will be won!
Here we stand contending for the faith
And we know truth will overcome
Here we stand the church of the redeemed

Here we stand but here we don’t belong
Journeying toward our lasting home
Now we weep with weary saints who mourn
Telling all the world the hope of dawn
Christ will come, all will be restored!
Here we stand but here we don’t belong
We will wait ready for our Lord
Here we stand the church of the redeemed

Coda
Every heart overflows with praise 
When at last we stand before the throne
With our King, evermore we’ll reign
Here we stand the church of the redeemed

1emumusic.com/collections/what-we-do