Today’s hymn comes from William Cowper (1731-1800) and was included in Olney Hymns, which he wrote in collaboration with John Newton. I hope you too experience the light and joy which comes to believers when they sing and praise our God; enjoy!

Meter: 7.6.7.6

Sometimes a light surprises
Believers while they sing;
Is is the Lord who rises
With healing in his wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
And find it ever new;
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E’en let th’unknown to tomorrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe his people, too;
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature is not fed,
And he who feeds the ravens
Will give his children bread.

The vine, nor fig tree neither,
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Tho’ all the fields should wither,
Nor flocks, nor herds be there;
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice,
For while in him confiding, 
I cannot but rejoice.

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Today’s hymn comes from Scotsman Horatius Bonar (1808-1889) and centres around fellowship with God. I’m sure many of us have thought about different things we desire to achieve this year; why not make it your aim to join Mr Bonar in praying that all your life be full of praise and fellowship with God? Enjoy!

Meter:8.6.8.6.

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone
Nor e’en the praising heart,
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part.

Praise in the common things of life,
Its goings out and in;
Praise in each duty and each deed,
However small and mean.

Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be and weak.

So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free,
But all my life, in every step,
Be fellowship with Thee.

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Today’s hymn comes from my favourite hymn writer, John Newton. This one tells of the value and blessing of calling Jesus our friend, a friend like no other. I hope you can call yourself a friend of Jesus today; enjoy!

Meter: 8.7.8.7.7.7

One there is, above all others,
well deserves the name of Friend;
His is love beyond a brother’s,
costly, free, and knows no end;
they who once His kindness prove,
find it everlasting love!

Which of all our friends to save us,
could or would have shed their blood?
But our Jesus died to have us
reconciled in Him to God;
this was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a Friend in need.

Men, when raised to lofty stations,
often know their friends no more;
slight and scorn their poor relations
though they valued them before.
But our Savior always owns
those whom He redeemed with groans.

When He lived on earth abased,
Friend of sinners was His name;
now, above all glory raised,
He rejoices in the same;
still He calls them brethren, friends,
and to all their wants attends.

Could we bear from one another,
what He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
loves us though we treat Him thus;
though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.

O for grace our hearts to soften!
Teach us, Lord, at length to love;
we, alas! forget too often
what a Friend we have above;
but when home our souls are brought,
we will love Thee as we ought.

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Today’s hymn comes from German poet Sigmund von Birken (1626-1681), son of an evangelical pastor in Bohemia. This one is a popular hymn in Lutheran churches, and you can see why with the rich theological words. Enjoy this one!

Let us ever walk with Jesus,
follow his example pure,
flee the world which would deceive us
and to sin our souls allure.
Ever in his footsteps treading,
body here, yet soul above,
full of faith and hope and love,
let us do the Father’s bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Saviour, lead; I follow thee.

Let us suffer here with Jesus,
to his image e’er conform;
heaven’s glory soon will please us,
sunshine follow on the storm.
Though we sow in tears of sorrow,
we shall reap in heav’nly joy,
and the fears that now annoy
shall be laughter on the morrow.
Christ, I suffer here with thee;
there, O share thy joy with me.

Let us also die with Jesus;
his death from the second death,
from our soul’s destruction, frees us,
quickens us with life’s glad breath.
Let us mortify, while living,
flesh and blood and die to sin,
and the grave that shuts us in
shall but prove the gate to heaven.
Jesus, here I die to thee,
there to live eternally.

Let us gladly live with Jesus;
since he’s risen from the dead,
death and grave must soon release us.
Jesus, thou art now our head.
We are truly thine own members,
where thou livest, there live we;
take and own us constantly,
faithful Friend, as thy dear brethren.
Jesus, here I live to thee,
also there eternally.

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Today’s hymn comes from William Cowper, and is included in the much loved Olney Hymes collection. Cowper wrote this text on December 9, 1769, during the illness of his long-time friend and housekeeper, Mrs. Unwin. In a letter, he voiced his anxieties about her condition and about what might happen to him if she died. Saying that he composed the text “to surrender up to the Lord” all his “dearest comforts,” Cowper added, “her illness has been a sharp trial to me. Oh, that it may have a sanctifying effect!¹” I hope you too also have this same desire to walk closer with the Lord; enjoy!

O for a closer walk with God,
a calm and heav’nly frame,
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew
when first I sought the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I then enjoyed!
How sweet their mem’ry still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
and drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
whate’er that idol be,
help me to tear it from Thy throne
and worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
calm and serene my frame;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.

¹hymnary.org/text/o_for_a_closer_walk_with_god

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*Apologies if you already received today’s hymn; there was a glitch in the settings!*

Today’s hymn is from William Walford Walford (1772-1850), an obscure, blind lay preacher who served in the hamlet of Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, in the mid-19th century. He owned a small trinket shop in the village.The story goes that a Congregational minister and friend, Thomas Salmon, stopped by Walford’s shop one day in 1842. Walford asked if Salmon would write down his new poem on the subject of prayer. Three years later, Salmon was in the U.S. and showed the poem to the editor of the New York Observer, who printed it in the Sept. 13, 1845 issue¹. I hope you find much comfort in prayer as Walford did. Enjoy!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
that calls me from a world of care, 
and bids me at my Father’s throne 
make all my wants and wishes known. 
In seasons of distress and grief, 
my soul has often found relief, 
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare 
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
the joys I feel, the bliss I share 
of those whose anxious spirits burn 
with strong desires for thy return! 
With such I hasten to the place 
where God my Savior shows his face, 
and gladly take my station there, 
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! 
thy wings shall my petition bear 
to him whose truth and faithfulness 
engage the waiting soul to bless. 
And since he bids me seek his face, 
believe his word, and trust his grace, 
I’ll cast on him my every care, 
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 

¹umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-sweet-hour-of-prayer

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Robert Charles Sproul (1939 – 2017), or R.C.Sproul, was an American Reformed theologian and ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America. He is well known for great books such as “The Holiness of God”, starting “Ligonier Ministries” which is dedicated to “proclaiming, teaching, and defending the holiness of God in all its fullness to as many people as possible”, and introducing a whole new generation to faithful, biblical, reformed doctrine. But did you know he was also passionate about beautiful music for the church to sing? Featuring lyrics drawn from Scripture and a lifetime of theological reflection, “Glory to the Holy One” is a collection of beautiful hymns written by Dr. R.C. Sproul, wedded with soaring melodies written by award-winning composer, Jeff Lippencott. Recorded in esteemed venues around the world, this project provides the church with an offering of that which is good, true, and beautiful in the Christian faith¹. Today’s hymn is from that collection. Enjoy!

Who dwells within His most secret place
Is never far from His blessed grace
‘Neath His great shadow all will be well
No better place now for us to dwell

Refrain
The secret place of God Most High
The shadow of our mighty King
The dwelling place where angels cry
Is where our praise will forever ring

Fear not the terror that comes at night
Nor flaming arrows by morning light
His truth is always our sword and shield
Against His power, all foes must yield

Refrain

A thousand fall now at ev’ry side
Ten thousand more may have yet to die
Yet plague and sword can
Ne’er kill the soul
His angels guard us now safe and whole

Refrain

Refuge and fortress for all who trust
No safer pasture for men of dust
‘Neath wings and feathers of Holy Lord
No greater comfort can He afford

Refrain

¹store.ligonier.org/glory-to-the-holy-one-download

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Today is another hymn written by Isaac Watts, who is known as the “father of English hymnody” and credited with over 500 songs, including “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come,” “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “At the Cross (Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed).”  Today’ we’ll worship with one of his lesser known but oh so good songs.’s hymn is called “How Sweet and Awful Is the Place”, written in 1707 and set it to an unnamed ancient Irish melody. Enjoy!

How sweet and aweful is the place
with Christ within the doors,
while everlasting love displays
the choicest of her stores.

While all our hearts and all our songs
join to admire the feast,
each of us cries, with thankful tongue,
“Lord, why was I a guest?

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
and enter while there’s room,
when thousands make a wretched choice
and rather starve than come?”

‘Twas the same love that spread the feast
that sweetly drew us in;
else we had still refused to taste,
and perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, O our God,
constrain the earth to come;
send Thy victorious Word abroad,
and bring the strangers home.

We long to see Thy churches full,
that all the chosen race
may, with one voice and heart and soul,
sing Thy redeeming grace.

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This song is written by Ben Slee in 2018 and tells of the great unity within the Trinity, and a prayer that the church will share in this same fellowship of unity.

Gracious Father Son and Spirit,
Ever joined in bonds of love,
May your church share in the union
Of our God the three-in-one.
May the love of God our Father,
Poured on us in Christ the Son
In the union of His Spirit
Fill our hearts and make us one.

We are one in Christ our Saviour –
In His death we all have died.
In His resurrection power
We in Him are made alive.
So we all, as ransomed sinners
Stand united in His love,
Drawing near to God together
By His Spirit through His Son.

Through His word, our gracious Saviour
Draws us to Himself in love,
Builds us up into a Temple
Where by grace He dwells with us.
On foundations of His promise,
Built on Him our Cornerstone,
May we stand as one forever,
May His love in us be shown.

Lord forgive our sad divisions.
In your gospel make us one,
Bound together in Your Spirit,
Bought by Jesus precious blood.
Living worthy of our calling,
Let us cast all strife aside
‘Til as one we see His glory
As His perfect holy bride.

Keep us steadfast in Your promise,
Standing firm with all the saints,
‘Til at last we come to heaven
And as one we see your face.

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Sarah Flower Adams was a British actress who received praise for her performance in an 1837 production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. After health problems disrupted her plans to continue with theatre, she found comfort in writing poems and hymns. Her most notable hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came about in 1841 when Adam’s pastor was looking for a hymn for the following week’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, which is referred to by many as “Jacob’s ladder,” or “Jacob’s dream.” Adams offered to write the hymn and completed it within a week to go along with the pastor’s sermon. The hymn was originally set to music written by her sister, Eliza Flower, but another hymn-tune called “BETHANY,” written by Lowell Mason in 1856, has become most widely recognised and is most familiar to listeners today¹. Enjoy!

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee;
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God, to thee;
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
All that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to thee;
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to thee;
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be,
Nearer, my God, to thee;
Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

¹thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/nearer-my-god-to-thee-history-and-lyrics.html

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