This song I recently found whilst browsing through songs on Spotify. Anchor Hymns is described as “a multigenerational collective of artists creating songs of substance from both a lyrical, theological, and musical frame…drawing from Neo Soul, Indie Rock, Brooklyn Fusion, (Blues, Jazz, RnB, Soul)”¹. This song really has an old gospel-style feel to it, and the words are great to think about to. Enjoy!

Lyrics: Oh the grave that I was in
Oh the crushing weight of sin
Bear beneath the crashing waves
Sinking ne’er to rise again

Jesus pulled me to the shore
And grace abounded all the more
And I was changed that very hour
Rescued by the Saviour’s power

Refrain
Oh Jesus, Our redeemer,
Great defender, Overcomer
Christ the victor
There’s no other
Praise his name forevermore

With my last and final breath
Passing through the door of death
I will pray just like your son
Not my will but yours be done

And as I sail to heaven’s shores
I will trust you all the more
And leave this life This fleeting flower
Resting in the Saviours power

Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen

Oh the mighty Great I am
Rules with victory in his hands
Oh He will crush the gates of hell
And bring us with him to dwell

And with all who’ve come before
We will praise you evermore
For death is swallowed up forever
Conquered by the Saviours power

¹integritymusic.com/anchor-hymns

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The writer of today’s hymn, William Ralph Featherstone (1846-1873), is believed to have written “My Jesus I Love Thee” at the age of 16! Featherstone, a Weslyan Methodist from Montreal, wrote the text at the time of his conversion and sent it to his aunt in Los Angeles. Somehow, the poem made its way to England where it was published anonymously in The London Hymn Book two years later. Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836-1895), who was compiling a Baptist hymn book, liked Featherstone’s text, but decided it needed a better tune than the one that was used in The London Hymn Book, so he wrote a new tune for it which he published in The Service of Song for Baptist Churches¹. enjoy this version by HeartSong at Cedarville University.

My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine;
for thee all the follies of sin I resign;
my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art thou;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love thee because thou hast first loved me
and purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow;
if ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love thee in life, I will love thee in death,
and praise thee as long as thou lendest me breath,
and say when the deathdew lies cold on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow:
If ever I loved thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. 

¹hymnary.org/text/my_jesus_i_love_thee_i_know_thou_art_mi

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It seems over the past few weeks I’ve gained some more followers – Welcome! If you didn’t know I’m taking a break from the daily updates as I recently had a baby (you can see more info in my previous post). I am however hoping to resume the posts again after the Summer!

I wanted to send this post about a hymn I came across while reading the Crossway ESV Devotional Psalter. It’s a hymn by Charles Wesley, writing about the peace and joy he has from Christ despite circumstances. This is a reminder to myself to remember that God’s peace is available to me through this new and challenging season; I hope it’s an encouragement to you. I have also included a short reflection video from Alistair Begg. Enjoy!

Thou hidden source of calm repose,
Thou all-sufficient love divine,
my help and refuge from my foes,
secure I am, if Thou art mine;
from sin and grief and shame I hide me,
Jesus, in Thy name.

Thy mighty name salvation is,
and keeps my happy soul above;
comfort it brings, and pow’r and peace,
and joy and everlasting love;
to me, with Thy dear name, are giv’n
pardon and holiness and heav’n.

Jesus, my all in all Thou art;
my rest in toil, my ease in pain,
the healing of my broken heart,
in war my peace, in loss my gain,
my smile beneath the tyrant’s frown,
in shame my glory and my crown.

In want my plentiful supply,
in weakness my almighty pow’r,
in bonds my perfect liberty,
my light in Satan’s darkest hour,
my help and stay whene’er call,
my life in death, my heav’n, my all.

This hhymn was written by Fanny J. Crosby in 1890; she was a prolific hymn writer who was made blind during her childhood. At that time Fanny was living in a New York City apartment and attending the John St. Methodist Episcopal Church. She received a visit from hymn composer William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921). Many of his melodies are well-known, including one for another of Fanny’s texts, “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It.” He had just completed a new tune which he felt needed suitable words. When he played the melody for her, Fanny’s face lit up, she knelt in prayer, and soon gave Kirkpatrick the lines of “He Hideth My Soul¹.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Saviour to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

Refrain
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

¹hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/quothe-hideth-my-soulquot/

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John Wesley (1703-1791) became acquainted with Moravians during his voyage to the American colonies in Georgia in 1737. He was soon very interested in this group, and upon returning to London continued to meet with them. On the trip to Georgia, he was introduced to a hymn by the famous Lutheran pastor and hymn writer Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) called “O Jesu Christ, meine schönstes Licht.” Wesley was so taken by the hymn that he translated all 16 stanzas into English, and even mentioned it in his final sermon before leaving Georgia, “A Plain Account of Christian Perfection,” quoting the second stanza as “his heart’s cry.” He then published the hymn in Hymns and Sacred Poems (1739). Of the original 16 stanzas, the UM Hymnal now includes only four: the original stanzas one, two, three and 16¹. Make this your prayer today

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
Oh knit my thankful heart to Thee
And reign without a rival there.
Thine, Wholly Thine, alone I am!
Be Thou alone my constant flame.

O, grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell but Thy pure love alone!
Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,
My joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove;
My every act, word, thought, be love.

O love, how gracious is thy ray!
All fear before thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away
Wherever thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire or seek, but Thee!

In suffering be Thy love my peace,
In weakness be Thy love my power;
And when the storms of life shall cease,
Jesus, in that important hour,
In death as life be Thou my guide,
And save me, who for me hast died.

¹umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-jesu-thy-boundless-love-to-me

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I really like this song by Sovereign Grace – a prayer that God will help us to see Christ. This song is routinely sung in our church and would be a great song for any congregation to sing.

Prepare our hearts, O God
Help us to receive
Break the hard and stony ground
Help our unbelief
Plant Your Word down deep in us
Cause it to bear fruit
Open up our ears to hear
Lead us in Your truth

Refrain
Show us Christ, show us Christ
O God, reveal Your glory
Through the preaching of Your Word
Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord

Your Word is living light
Upon our darkened eyes
Guards us through temptations
Makes the simple wise
Your Word is food for famished ones
Freedom for the slave
Riches for the needy soul
Come speak to us today

Refrain

Bridge
Where else can we go, Lord
Where else can we go
You have the words of eternal life

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This song written by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker & Matt Papa, and was birthed out of Merker’s and Kauflin’s desire to write a song about hope, so that their local congregations they serve would be helped. The song then developed from the Heidelberg catechism question 1: “What is your only comfort in life and death?”¹. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this 🙂

What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone.
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to Him belong.

Who holds our days within His hand?
What comes, apart from His command?
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ, in which we stand.

Refrain
O sing hallelujah!
Our hope springs eternal;
O sing hallelujah!
Now and ever we confess
Christ our hope in life and death!

What truth can calm the troubled soul?
God is good, God is good.
Where is His grace and goodness known?
In our great Redeemer’s blood.

Who holds our faith when fears arise?
Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh
Unto the shore, the rock of Christ?

Refrain

Unto the grave, what shall we sing?
“Christ, He lives; Christ, He lives!”
And what reward will heaven bring?
Everlasting life with Him.

There we will rise to meet the Lord,
Then sin and death will be destroyed,
And we will feast in endless joy,
When Christ is ours forevermore.

Refrain

¹youtube.com/watch?v=nLoMST0X2lM\

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Thomas Kelly (d.1855) was an Irish-born Anglican priest and an energetic evangelical preacher of considerable learning who was prohibited from preaching by his archbishop. He founded an independent sect known as the Kellyites and, drawing on the wealth of his wife, founded chapels in several towns. He wrote more than 700 hymns, several in CH4. ‘Regent Square’ is by Henry Smart (d.1879) who was a leading 19th century Anglican organist famous for his skill in accompanying congregational singing. He was a staunch advocate of metrical psalms and this was shown in his four-square and well-structured hymn melodies. The United Presbyterian Church in Scotland appointed him as editor of their Presbyterian Psalter and Hymnal (1876)¹. I love this version with an added verse.. enjoy!

Look you saints the sight is glorious
See the Man of Sorrows now
From the fight returned victorious
Every knee to Him will bow
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victors brow

Crown the Saviour! Angels, crown Him!
Rich the gospel Jesus brings
In the seat of power enthrone Him
While the choir of heaven sings
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown the Saviour King of Kings

Once with cruel thorns they crowned Him
Nailed Him to a wretched tree
There He died as soldiers mocked Him
Suff’ring on that cross for me
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Praise the King of Calvary!

Come repentant sinners crown Him
Humbled by His mighty claim
Saved by grace we bow before Him
All to Jesus! Praise His name!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame!

Hear those bursts of acclamation
Hear those loud triumphant chords
Jesus takes the highest station
O what joy that sight affords
Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crown Him! Crown Him!
King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

¹music.churchofscotland.org.uk/hymn/439-look-ye-saints-the-sight-is-glorioushttps://music.churchofscotland.org.uk/hymn/439-look-ye-saints-the-sight-is-glorious

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Thoro Harris, the author of today’s hymn, was born in Washington D.C. in 1874. He was a gifted songwriter and after graduation moved to Boston to enter the publishing business. In 1902 he produced the first of dozens of hymnals and song collections. As a result of his success, Harris was invited by Peter Bilhorn to move to Chicago who was active in Christian music, working with evangelists Billy Sunday, D.L. Moody, and George Stebbins¹. Enjoy this accapalla version!

Who can cheer the heart like Jesus,
By His presence all divine?
True and tender, pure and precious,
O how blest to call Him mine!
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

Love of Christ so freely given,
Grace of God beyond degree,
Mercy higher than the heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea!
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

What a wonderful redemption!
Never can a mortal know
How my sin, tho red like crimson,
Can be whiter than the snow.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

Ev’ry need His hand supplying,
Ev’ry good in Him I see,
On His strength divine relying,
He is all in all to me.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

By the crystal flowing river
With the ransomed I will sing,
And forever and forever
Praise and glorify the King.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus,
He is more than life to me;
And the fairest of ten thousand
In my blessed Lord I see.

¹hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com/2022/05/07/all-that-thrills-my-soul/

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Samuel Trevor Francis (1834–1925) was an English lay preacher and hymn writer, with the Plymouth Brethren. He first published this hymnn in Whence-Whither and Other Poems. In his preface, he included this explanation: Many of these poems have appeared in various religious and semi-religious papers and magazines.If he has touched upon the sorrows and the dark side of human life, he has endeavoured to show how light, hope, and joy may be found. He trusts that those poems that are hymn-like will not be altered to suit the whims or theology of hymn-book compilers. This book is not written in the interests of any sect, denomination, or party, but for all who “love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth.” You may have heard different melodies for this hymn, but I think this is the best one – enjoy!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In it’s fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of thy love;
Leading onward, leading homeward,
To thy glorious rest above.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Spread his praise from shore to shore;
How he loveth, ever loveth,
Changeth never, nevermore;
How he watches o’er his loved ones,
Died to call them all his own;
How for them he intercedeth,
Watcheth o’er them from the throne.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
Love of ev’ry love the best:
‘Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
‘Tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
‘Tis a heav’n of heav’ns to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
For it lifts me up to thee.

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