Today’s hymn comes from the father of English hymnody, Isaac Watts. The power of hymns is shown in a story when Presbyterian minister Ichabod Spencer (1798-1854) was attempting to tell a young lady who attended his evening lectures of her need to repent and believe the gospel. Although she assented to all he said, Ichabod mentioned that she felt that these truths however, seemed to be ineffectual, causing her to remain in her unsaved state. He visited her again weeks later, letting her know that all he could do was tell her this truth of her need for repentance and to put her faith in Jesus for forgiveness of her sins. That evening in the lecture she attended, he read this hymn. It seems the Lord worked in her heart, making the truth plain to her through these words and causing her to fully repent and finally putting her trust in Jesus¹. Praise God for using this hymn! Maybe there’s someone you could share it with too? Enjoy!

There is a voice of sovereign grace
Sounds from the sacred word:
“Ho, ye despairing sinners, come,
And trust upon the Lord.”

My soul obeys th’almighty call,
And runs to this relief;
I would believe Thy promise, Lord,
Oh, help my unbelief!

To the dear fountain of Thy blood,
Incarnate God, I fly;
Here let me wash my sinful soul
From crimes of deepest dye.

A guilty, weak, and helpless one,
On Thy kind arms I fall;
Be Thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus, and my All.

_¹ youtube.com/watch?v=vGRW_XbcbNY

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For those of you who listen to modern Christian music, I’m sure you’re aware that Sovereign Grace’s new album “Knowing God” was recently released. This album is based on the influential book of the same title by J.I. Packer, to commemorate 50 years. This song, in my humble opinion, is the best song for congregational singing on the album. It’s full of so much scriptural references (as are all of their songs), but it has a very easy rhyming scheme, can be played with just one instrument, and has no difficult vocal runs or riffs. I have had this one on repeat and I’m sure you will too; enjoy!

Christ our wisdom, we are humbled
When You hide Your ways from us
You have purposes unnumbered
Each one good and glorious 
Help us trust when we grow weary 
Free us from our anxious thoughts 
Give us grace to see more clearly  
You are God and we are not    

Christ our wisdom, be our gladness
When we fail to understand
You ordain all joy and sadness
To fulfill Your perfect plan
Help us know You rule with power
Over every raging flood
In our most uncertain hour 
|You are God and we are loved

Christ our wisdom, we will follow
Though the way ahead is veiled
As we journey through the shadows 
Grant us faith where sight has failed 
Help us cling to Your commandments 
Strengthened by Your faithful Word 
We will never be abandoned 
You are God and we are Yours  

Christ our wisdom we adore You
For the beauty of the cross
Once in foolishness we scorned You
But Your blood has ransomed us
Help us sing the endless mercies
Of Your humble heart to save 
Christ our wisdom, Christ our glory
You are God forever praised

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Today’s hymn comes from Joyce Torrens-Graham (1901-1953) who wrote many poems and essays under the pen name of Jan Struther. During World War II she moved with her children to New York City and remained there until her death. In England she is best known for her novel Mrs. Miniver, which was later made into a movie. Her collection of writings called Songs of Praise included twelve of her hymn texts¹. The hymn is written to the tune usually associated with Be Thou My Vision; enjoy!

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
whose trust, ever childlike, no cares could destroy:
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe:
Be there at our labors, and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace:
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm:
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day

¹https://hymnary.org/person/Struther_Jan

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Today’s hymn comes from Richmond Deck. Ordained in 1876, he held in succession three Curacies and three Benefices, and since 1897, until his death, the Vicarage of Christ Church, Folkestone. He published in 1903, All the Days: A Round of Verses for the Days of the Week. This hymn is based upon the words, “Lo, I am with you always” from Matthew 28:20 and was written in 1885¹. Enjoy!

I take Thy promise, Lord, in all its length,
And breadth and fulness, as my daily strength;
Into life’s future fearless I may gaze,
For, Savior, Thou art with me all the days.

Days may be coming fraught with loss and change,
New scenes surround my life and fancies strange;
I thank Thee that no day can ever break,
Savior, when Thou wilt leave me or forsake.

There may be days of darkness and distress,
When sin has power to tempt, and care to press,
Yet in the darkest day I will not fear,
For, ’mid the shadows, Thou wilt still be near.

Days there may be of joy and deep delight,
When earth seems fairest, and her skies most bright,
Then draw me closer to Thee, lest I rest
Elsewhere, my Savior, than upon Thy breast.

And all the other days that make my life,
Marked by no special joy or grief or strife,
Days filled with quiet duties, trivial care,
Burdens too small for other hearts to share;

Spend Thou these days with me, all shall be Thine,
So shall the darkest hour with glory shine.
Then when these earthly years have passed away,
Let me be with Thee in the perfect day.

¹https://hymnary.org/person/Deck_Richmond

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Today’s hymn comes from the Gettys, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa; it is also titled “Hymn For A Deconstructing Friend”. They say “We all know someone who has thought about leaving the faith, who has wondered if it’s all real. Maybe we are that person. This song is for the doubters, the skeptics, the hurting. It’s a reminder that though we are tempted to wander, God rushes after us with open arms. “There’s a truth that’s more than all I feel” — there’s a Rock who is steady through the fiercest storms. This worship track is raw and honest about our struggles, but it overflows with hope meant to point our friends—and us—back to Jesus.¹” Enjoy!

When this life of trials tests my faith
I set my hope on Jesus
When the questions come and doubts remain
I set my hope on Jesus

For the deepest wounds that time won’t heal
There’s a joy that runs still deeper
There’s a truth that’s more than all I feel
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though I falter in this war with sin
I set my hope on Jesus
When I fail the fight and sink within
I set my hope on Jesus

Though the shame would drown me in its sea
And I dread the waves of justice
I will cast my life on Calvary
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

Though the world call me to leave my Lord
I set my hope on Jesus
Though it offer all its vain rewards
I set my hope on Jesus

Though this heart of mine is prone to stray
Give me grace enough to finish
’Till I worship on that final day
I set my hope on Jesus

I set my hope on Jesus
My rock, my only trust
Who set His heart upon me first
I set my hope on Jesus

¹store.gettymusic.com/uk/album/i-set-my-hope-hymn-for-a-deconstructing-friend/

Today’s hymn comes from the reformer Martin Luther. This hymn was written in 1523 in Wittenberg and is Luther’s first hymn written for congregational singing. The hymn was translated from German by Richard Massie in 1854 and first published in 1524 in Achtliederbuch (Book of Eight Songs), the first printed compilation of Lutheran hymns¹. This is a long one, but well worth the read; enjoy!

Dear Christians, one and all, rejoice,
with exultation springing,
and with united heart and voice
and holy rapture singing,
proclaim the wonders God has done,
how his right arm the vict’ry won.
How dearly it has cost him!

Fast bound in Satan’s chains I lay;
death brooded darkly o’er me.
Sin was my torment night and day;
in sin my mother bore me.
Yet deep and deeper still I fell;
life had became a living hell,
so firmly sin possessed me.

My own good works availed me naught,
no merit they attaining;
my will against God’s judgment fought,
no hope for me remaining.
My fears increased till sheer despair
left only death to be my share
and hell to be my sentence.

But God beheld my wretched state
before the world’s foundation,
and, mindful of his mercies great,
he planned for my salvation.
A father’s heart he turned to me,
sought my redemption fervently;
he gave his dearest treasure.

He spoke to his belovèd Son:
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go, bright jewel of my crown,
and bring to all salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
slay bitter death for them that they
may live with you forever.”

The Son obeyed his Father’s will,
was born of virgin mother,
and, God’s good pleasure to fulfill,
he came to be my brother.
No garb of pomp or pow’r he wore;
a servant’s form like mine he bore
to lead the devil captive.

To me he spoke, “Hold fast to me,
I am your rock and castle.
Your ransom I myself will be;
for you I strive and wrestle.
For I am yours, your friend divine,
and evermore you shall be mine;
the foe shall not divide us.

“The foe will shed my precious blood,
me of my life bereaving;
all this I suffer for your good;
be steadfast and believing.
Life will from death the vict’ry win;
my innocence shall bear your sin,
and you are blest forever.

“Now to my Father I depart,
the Holy Spirit sending
and, heav’nly wisdom to impart,
my help to you extending.
He will a source of comfort be,
teach you to know and follow me,
and in all truth will guide you.

“What I on earth have lived and taught
be all your life and teaching;
so shall the kingdom’s work be wrought
and honored in your preaching.
Take care that no one’s man-made laws
should e’er destroy the gospel’s cause;
this final word I leave you.”

¹https://medium.com/cbuworship/dear-christians-one-and-all-rejoice-a-reformation-hymn-e622b560912b

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Today’s hymn comes from August Toplady (1740-1778) who is most notably known for his hymn ‘Rock of Ages’. This hymn I’m sure will give you comfort that the Sovereign Lord God is on our side. I hope this encourages you today. Enjoy!

A sov’reign Protector I have,
unseen, yet forever at hand,
unchangeably faithful to save,
almighty to rule and command.

He smiles, and my comforts abound;
His grace as the dew shall descend;
and walls of salvation surround
the soul He delights to defend.

Inspirer and hearer of pray’r,
Thou Shepherd and Guardian of Thine,
my all to Thy covenant care
I sleeping and waking resign.

If Thou art my Shield and my Sun,
the night is no darkness to me;
and fast as my moments roll on,
they bring me but nearer to Thee.

Kind Author and Ground of my hope,
Thee, Thee, for my God I avow;
my glad Ebenezer set up,
and own Thou hast helped me till now.

I muse on the years that are past,
wherein my defense Thou hast proved;
nor wilt Thou relinquish at last
a sinner so signally loved!

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Today’s hymn comes from Anne Steele (1717-1778), the pioneer female hymn-writer of the eighteenth century. I’m sure these words will comfort you today; enjoy!

When sins and fear, prevailing, rise,
And fainting hope almost expires,
To thee, O Lord, I lift my eyes;
To thee I breathe my soul’s desires.

Art thou not mine, my living Lord?
And can my hope, my comfort die?
‘Tis fixed on thine almighty word
That word which built the earth and sky.

If my immortal Saviour lives,
Then my immortal life is sure;
His word a firm foundation gives;
Here may I build and rest secure.

Here, O my soul, thy trust repose;
If Jesus is for ever mine,
Not death itself that last of foes
Shall break a union so divine.

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Today’s hymn comes from Charles Wesley, arguably the greatest hymn writer of all time. No doubt this hymn was based on Hebrews 4:9 and the Sabbath rest that still remains for God’s people. As with a lot of hymns written in this time period, it originally had 15 stanzas, but is known by the below five. I hope this can be your prayer today. Enjoy!

Lord, I believe a rest remains,
To all Thy people known,
A rest where pure enjoyment reigns,
And Thou art loved alone:

A rest, where all our soul’s desire
Is fixed on things above;
Where fear, and sin, and grief expire,
Cast out by perfect love.

O that I now the rest might know,
Believe, and enter in!
Now, Saviour, now the power bestow,
And let me cease from sin.

Remove this hardness from my heart,
This unbelief remove;
To me the rest of faith impart,
The Sabbath of Thy love.

I would be Thine, Thou know’st I would,
And have Thee all my own;
Thee, O my all-sufficient Good!
I want, and Thee alone.

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Today’s song is from David Zimmer, who is a writer and producer for Sovereign Grace, however this song was released when he was a solo artist. Enjoy!

My times of sorrow and of joy
Oh God are in Your hands
For every blessing flows from You 
And flees at Your command
Lord if You choose to take away 
The treasures I have stored 
Remind me that all I receive 
Remains forever Yours

Lord how could I distrust Your Word 
Or doubt Your providence
Your mercy floods my fleeting hours 
And every circumstance
You work all things for endless good 
For those who fear Your name
Your perfect love will not forsake 
The souls You have reclaimed

You are good to me. 
You are all I need
I will taste and see
You are always good to me.

My Father grant me faith to know
That Your hands hold my lot
That my inheritance is Christ
And here beneath His cross
All my eternal longings find 
The promise of Your rest 
Where times of sorrow and of joy 
Reveal Your faithfulness  

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