Today’s hymn comes from Isaac Watts, and was first published in his Hymns & Sacred Songs in 1707; it was later entitled “Heavenly Joy on Earth”. Since then, it has undergone many alterations and revisions, but is still greatly loved1. Enjoy!
Meter: 6.6.8.6
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known; join in a song with sweet accord, and thus surround the throne.
Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God; but children of the heav’nly King may speak their joys abroad.
The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heav’nly fields, or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry; we’re marching through Emmanuel’s ground to fairer worlds on high.
Today’s hymn is another one exhorting our souls to sing! This one is written by the much loved duo Matt Papa and Matt Boswell. Enjoy!
O sing my soul the ancient song And lend Your highest praise To Him who is the King of old And dwells in endless days How resplendent His glory How majestic His Name Now to the Uncreated One Oh let the anthem raise
O worship Him our Father God The Spirit and the Word Who fashioned all things from His joy And saw that it was good What perfection of friendship What communion we shared But choosing death we fell from life Aside the guilty pair
Now hear my soul the gospel song Attend the joyful news For Christ has come the perfect Son His Father’s will to choose In our place He did suffer In our place became sin The death of death the death of Christ Who stands alive again
Now people of the risen Lord O hear the call to go Into the world we have been sent As messengers of hope Christ alone be our treasure Christ alone our reward Come bid the nations sing with us The praises of the Lord
Today’s hymn was a suggestion from a subscriber; I do love it when you send me recommendations so keep them coming! Not much is known about this Lutheran hymn, other than it is written by Finnish poet Julius L. F. Krohn. Nonetheless, enjoy reading this one!
O sing my soul, your Maker’s praise In grateful hymns ascending; Whose steadfast love has crowned your days With heav’nly gifts un ending. I sought the Lord, He heard my cry; His holy angels hover nigh The tents of those who love Him.
The Lord is good to those who seek His face in time of sorrow, Providing comfort to the weak And grace for each tomorrow. Though grief may tarry for a night, The morn shall break in joy and light With blessings from His presence.
The Lord will turn His face in peace When troubled souls draw near Him; His loving kindness shall not cease To those who trust and fear Him. Our God will not forsake His own; Eternal is His heav’nly throne; His kingdom stands forever.
Today’s song I happily came across on Youtube and loved the words. This collection of musicians and singers is called Forever Be Sure and they note “our goal is to provide creative Christian music that allows the listeners to hear the truth of the Bible and be drawn to greater worship, love and obedience to Christ1“. In their own words, people have described their style as “fresh”, “energetic”, and perhaps even “Disney like”. But don’t let that put you off! If the style of music is not one you listen to regularly, I am sure you will be left edified and encouraged by their rich biblical lyrics. This acapella song I listened to over and over again; enjoy!
Many those who seek to know the Father’s will; Their searching seems unending and, yet, they seek it still. Hoping not to miss it, like passing stars at night, Eagerly they wait for revelation’s light. Yet, if they only knew, that he who has God’s Word Need never be unknowing, no endless search endure. For all that God desires, His will for you and me, Is found within the Bible; we find it written clearly.
You desire quietness and meekness of my soul. You desire peaceful thoughts that trust in Your control. You desire lowliness that quickly condescends. You desire gentleness and words that help to mend. You want me, without ceasing, to pray a constant prayer. You want my cheerful giving, of my rich bounty share. You want me to be willing, my brother’s burden bear. This, this is the will of God.
Hands are quick to labour, feet are quick to go; Many the accomplishments that wearied hands may show. But do not be mistaken to think a task fulfilled Is all that God desires, all that God would will. His purposes go far beneath what human eyes can see And, much more than achievements, He wants the inward me. To take a wretched heart and make it like His own Is just the way that He desires to make His glories known.
You desire truthfulness that flows from deep inside. You desire thankfulness for all things all the time. You desire eagerness to pardon each offense. You desire readiness, my enemy to bless. You want my works of service to flow from selfless love. You want all my affection to be set on things above. You want my heart’s contentment that says, “I have enough.” This, this is the will of God.
You desire faithfulness in duties big and small. You desire tenderness to heed the Spirit’s call. You desire hopefulness that seeks the good to find. You desire lovely thoughts to dwell within my mind. You want a heart of gladness in service of the King. You want me long enduring through all my suffering. You want my body daily to be my offering. This, this is the will of God.
Today’s song comes from British music pastor Ben Slee, who writes songs, articles and training resources for local church musicians and music leaders. Good songs serve not only as prayers to God, but also declarations of truth and our commitment to walk in God’s ways. I hope these words draw you to fear the Lord today and every day; enjoy!
When anxious storms within us rage, we will fear the Lord. when death, disease and darkness reign we will fear the Lord. All things will bow at his command to bring us good from what would harm. We rest secure in sovereign arms, we will fear the Lord.
Our Father freely gave his Son, we will fear the Lord, how could he now withhold his love? We will fear the Lord. Oh, see our Father’s love displayed as Jesus died to bear our shame then left our death within the grave: we will fear the Lord.
There may be anxious times ahead we will fear the Lord. We’ll look to him for daily bread, we will fear the Lord. Our Father hears each feeble plea, He has compassion for the weak, He will supply our every need: we will fear the Lord.
So as we face the storms of life, we will fear the Lord. We’ll cast our burdens onto Christ, we will fear the Lord. In you our future is secure, for all your promises are sure. This song we’ll sing forevermore: we will fear the Lord!
Today’s hymn comes from Charles Wesley (1707-1788). I hope these words cause your soul to arise close to God today with these truths; enjoy!
Arise, my soul, arise, shake off thy guilty fears. The bleeding Sacrifice in my behalf appears. Before the throne my Surety stands, before the throne my Surety stands; my name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede; His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead, His blood atoned for all our race, His blood atoned for all our race, and sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears, received on Calvary; they pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me. “Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry, “Forgive him, O, forgive,” they cry, “Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”
The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One; He cannot turn away the presence of His Son. His Spirit answers to the blood, His Spirit answers to the blood, and tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled, His pard’ning voice I hear; He owns me for a child, I can no longer fear. With confidence I now draw nigh, with confidence I now draw nigh, and, “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
Hi friends, I’m back with the daily hymns, kicking off today with this great hymn of exhortation by Irish churchman and hymn writer Thomas Kelly (1806). He also wrote one of my favourites ‘Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious’. I’m sure you’ll enjoy meditating on this one!
Also for those who have asked how you can support this site, feel free to buy me a coffee. This will help fund my coffee shop trips where I write these posts 🙂 Enjoy!
Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him! Who can tell how much we owe Him? Gladly let us render to Him all we are and have.
Jesus is the name that charms us; He for conflict fits and arms us; nothing moves and nothing harms us while we trust in Him.
Trust in Him, ye saints, forever; He is faithful, changing never; neither force nor guile can sever those He loves from Him.
Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving to Thyself, and still believing, till the hour of our receiving promised joys with Thee.
Then we shall be where we would be, then we shall be what we should be; things that are not now, nor could be, soon shall be our own.
Today’s hymn comes from Johnson Oatman Jr. (1856–1922), an ordained minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had spent some time in the mercantile business with his father in Lumberton, New Jersey, as Johnson Oatman & Son, and in 1892 Oatman had started writing songs1. He has written over 3000 gospel songs and hymns, including this reminder to count the blessings of the Lord. If you’re feeling discouraged or weary today, why not take his advice and count your blessings? Enjoy!
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings, see what God hath done; Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings, money cannot buy Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged, God is over all; Count your many blessings, angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Today’s hymn comes from Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) who has been described as the ‘father of African American Hymnody’. Tindley was granted a license to preach from Bainbridge Street Methodist Church in Philadelphia, where he was employed as a janitor from 1880-1885. In 1902, he was assigned to Bainbridge Street Methodist Episcopal Church as its pastor. The hymn text states that a full life in Christ would require sacrifice of “worldly pleasure” and that we should not be led astray by “this world’s delusive dream”1. I hope you can use these words to tell your soul this today; enjoy!
Nothing between my soul and the Saviour, Naught of this world’s delusive dream: I have renounced all sinful pleasure- Jesus is mine! There’s nothing between.
Refrain: Nothing between my soul and the Savior, So that His blessed face may be seen; Nothing preventing the least of His favour: Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
Nothing between, like worldly pleasure: Habits of life, though harmless they seem, Must not my heart from Him ever sever- He is my all! There’s nothing between. [Refrain]
Nothing between, like pride or station: Self or friends shall not intervene; Though it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved! There’s nothing between. [Refrain]
Nothing between, e’en many hard trials, Though the whole world against me convene; Watching with prayer and much self denial- Triumph at last, with nothing between! [Refrain]
Today’s hymn seems to be by an anonymous author, however it was included in John Dowling’s 1849 ‘Conference Hymns’ collection. I hope you heed the warning today; enjoy!
Christian! walk carefully—danger is near; Work out thy journey with trembling and fear; Snares from without, and temptations within, Seek to entice thee again into sin.
Christian! walk humbly—exult not in pride; All that thou hast is by Jesus supplied; He holdeth thee up, He directeth thy ways, To Him the glory—to Him be the praise.
Christian! walk cheerfully, though the dark storm Fill the bright sky with the clouds of alarm: Soon will the clouds and the tempest be past, And thou shalt dwell with thy Savior at last.
Christian! walk steadfastly, while it is light; Swift are approaching the shades of the night: All that thy master hath bidden thee do, Haste to perform, for the moments are few.
Christian! walk prayerfully—oft wilt thou fall, If thou forget on thy Savior to call: Safe shalt thou walk through each trial and care, If thou art clad in the armor of prayer.
Christian! walk joyfully—trouble and pain Cease when the haven of rest thou dost gain; This thy bright glory, and this thy reward, Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!
Hymn of the Day 