This hymn is based on Psalm 63 and was written by James Montgomery, who lived 1771-1854. The song below was written by Gregory Wilbur, who is the Chief Musician at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Enjoy!
O God, thou art my God alone; Early to thee my soul shall cry, A pilgrim in a land unknown, A thirsty land whose springs are dry.
Yet through this rough and thorny maze I follow hard on thee, my God; Thy hand unseen upholds my ways; I safely tread where thou hast trod.
Thee in the watches of the night When I remember on my bed, Thy presence makes the darkness light; Thy guardian wings are round my head.
Better than life itself, thy love, Dearer than all beside to me, For whom have I in heaven above, Or what on earth, compared with thee?
Praise with my heart, my mind, my voice, For all thy mercy I will give; My soul shall still in God rejoice; My tongue shall bless thee while I live.
This song written by Sandra McCracken features on her ‘Psalms‘ album. The song includes allusions to Psalm 126:1–3: “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”, as well as Isaiah 25:6-9: “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
Refrain We will feast in the house of Zion, We will sing with our hearts restored; “He has done great things”, we will say together, We will feast and weep no more.
We will not be burned by the fire, He is the Lord our God. We are not consumed by the flood, Upheld, protected, gathered up.
Refrain
In the dark of night before the dawn, My soul, be not afraid. For the promised morning, oh how long? Oh, God of Jacob, be my strength.
Refrain
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed, You are the faithful One. And from the garden to the grave, Bind us together, bring shalom.
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.
When I found The Corner Room’s music ministry I was so excited – they manage to put ESV word for word scripture to music in a way that works! This is one of my favourites; sing and learn this with other brothers and sisters as you sing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart”.
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.
As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favour, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Hymn of the Day 