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The Love of God
- 10/26/08
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Earlier today I was thinking about my favorite hymn lyrics (not hymns overall-just particular lyrics). I think my all-time favorite is and remains the final stanza of “And Can it Be?” The last two lines just grip my soul every time I sing them:
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
I’ve often reflected on the concept of boldness and this song reminds me of what a privilege it is to be able to approach God’s throne with confidence and boldness.
Running a close second is a hymn we sang just this afternoon during our Lord’s Supper service. Again, it is the final stanza of a hymn, this one “The Love of God.” I’ll provide all of the lyrics but would point you to that last verse.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
I just love that picture, that metaphor, of trying to measure or quantify the love of God and finding that even the vastness of creation, reduced to letters and words, would barely even begin to show just how great and how wide and how deep is God’s love. It’s amazingly powerful.
What are your favorite hymn lyrics?
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Comments (41)
My favorite lines from hymns change frequently. I will carry a line or two around in my head for a while, mulling it over, and then I’ll move on to another one.
Recently, this one’s been dancing round my head: “Behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face” from God Moves in a Mysterious Way by William Cowper.
I also like the line about the dungeon flaming with light from And Can It Be?
There are so many great ones, but Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken has always been so powerful for me since I first heard it. Especially verses 3 and 5:
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure!Come, disaster, scorn, and pain!In Thy service, pain is pleasure;With Thy favor, loss is gain.I have called thee Abba, Father!I have stayed my heart on thee.Storms may howl, and clouds may gather,All must work for good to me.
Take, my soul, thy full salvation;Rise o’er sin and fear and care;Joy to find in every station,Something still to do or bear.Think what Spirit dwells within thee,Think what Fathers smiles are thine,Think that Jesus died to win thee;Child of heaven, canst thou repine?
I cherish all these good hymn lyrics and would like to add the second stanza of “When This Passing World Is Done” by Robert Murray M’Cheyne: When I stand before the throne,Dressed in beauty not my own,When I see Thee as Thou art,Love Thee with unsinning heart,Then, Lord, shall I fully know, Not till then, how much I owe.
I find hymns or stanzas of hymns that speak of the consummation to be especially moving. Probably none hit me like the final stanza of “For All the Saints”:
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.Alleluia! Alleluia!
Tim:
Given it was just Reformation Sunday the lines that are ringing in my head at the moment are the closing lines from A Mighty Fortress is our God by Martin Luther.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still…
They didn’t just sing that, they believed it and suffered to death for believing it.
From Before the Throne of God Above:
Because the sinless Savior died,My sinful soul has been set free,For God the just was satisfied To look on Him and pardon me.
And from Rock of Ages (what a wonderful title):
Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, come to Thee for dress;Helpless, look to Thee for grace;Foul, I to the fountain fly;Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Amen to all of the above. How do you narrow it down?
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (v. 2) What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinner’s gain:Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain;Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve Thy place;Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me thy grace.
I also love When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (v. 4)Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small:Love so amazing, so divine,Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Then there are the words to Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted that were read in our Communion Service today.
Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, see him dying on the tree! “Tis the Christ by man rejected; yes, my soul, ‘tis he, ‘tis he! ‘Tis the long expected Prophet, David’s son, yet David’s Lord; by his Son God now has spoken: tis the true and faithful Word.
Tell me, ye who hear him groaning, was there ever grief like his? Friends thro’ fear his cause disowning, foes insulting his distress; many hands were raised to wound him, none would interpose to save; but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that Justice gave.
Ye who think of sin but lightly nor suppose the evil great here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed, see who bears the awful load; ‘tis the Word, the Lord’s Annointed, Son of Man and Son of God.
Here we have a firm foundation, here the refuge of the lost; Christ’s the Rock of our salvation, his the name of which we boast. Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, sacrifice to cancel guilt! None shall ever be confounded who on Him their hope have built.
I would say the following- we celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly and it is usually about 60 to 90 minutes long. This hymn is often sung:
1. Let us love and sing and wonderLet us praise the Savior’s nameHe has hushed the law’s loud thunderHe has quenched Mount Sinai’s flameHe has washed us with His bloodHe has brought us nigh to God
2. Let us love the Lord Who bought usPitied us when wand’ring farCalled us by His grace and taught usWhere our joys and blessings areHe has washed us with His bloodHe presents our souls to God
3. Let us sing though fierce temptationThreatens hard to bear us downFor the Lord, our strong salvation,Holds in view the conqu’ror’s crownHe, Who washed us with His blood,Soon will bring us home to God
4. Let us wonder grace and justiceJoin and point to mercy’s storeWhen through grace in Christ our trust isJustice smiles and asks no moreHe Who washed us with His bloodHas secured our way to God
And so is this one:
Amidst us our Belovd stands,And bids us view His piercd hands;Points to the wounded feet and side,Blest emblems of the Crucified.
What food luxurious loads the board,When at His table sits the Lord!The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,When Jesus deigns the guests to meet!
If now, with eyes defiled and dim,We see the signs, but see not Him;O may His love the scales displace,And bid us see Him face to face!
Thou glorious Bridegroom of our hearts,Thy present smile a heav’n imparts!Oh lift the veil, if veil there be,Let every saint Thy beauties see!
Here is one of my favorites:
Amazing Love(Graham Kendrick)
My Lord, what love is this that pays so dearlyThat I the guilty one, may go free
Amazing love oh what sacrificeThe Son of God giv’n for meMy debt He pays and my death He diesThat I might live, that I might live
And so they watched Him dieDespised, rejected butOh the blood He shed flowed for me
And now this love of ChristShall flow like riversCome wash your guilt away, live again!
It Is Well with My Soul, verse 3
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!My sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Tim,
“And Can It Be?” has been going through my head over and over for several days. I love that hymn and the fact that it was written by an Arminian brother. Praise God for His faithfulness!
1) The Solid Rock, verse 1
My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus’ blood and righteousness.I dare not trust the sweetest frameBut wholly lean on Jesus’ name.On Christ the solid rock I stand,All other ground is sinking sand.All other ground is sinking sand.
2)Lord’s Day I, Heidelberg Catechism, verse 1
What is in life and death my only aid,My comfort when I am by troubles swayed?I am not mine, but Christ’s who fully paidFor all my sins and saved me.His precious blood for my offences gave He,Saved me from all the devil’s power and slavery,And in the book of life God did engrave me,And me His own He made.
i actually really like the ones you just mentioned in this post. another one i love is the often-skipped second verse to “It Is Well”:Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control,That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
i also especially like one of the many verses to “How Firm a Foundation”:When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,my grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply.The flames shall not hurt thee; I only designThy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
Mmm… Hymns. Fabulous.
I think “The Church’s One Foundation” is pretty amazing. That “elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth” verse gets me cryin’ every time I sing it.
I’m a real big fan of “Thy Mercy, My God” and “Sovereign Grace O’er Sin Abounding” too. “The Son of God Goes Forth to War” is one I’ve never heard sung in church, but the lyrics are incredibly powerful:
The Son of God goes forth to war,A kingly crown to gain;His blood-red banner streams afar!Who follows in his train?
The martyr first, whose eagle eyecould pierce beyond the graveWho saw his Master in the sky,And called on him to save!
“Be Still My Soul” has always been a favorite of mine, and bears special meaning now because my sisters and I sang it at my grandmother’s funeral earlier this year. My entire family has faced numerous trials this year, and I find the words of the second verse in particular of great comfort:
Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertakeTo guide the future, as He has the past.Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;All now mysterious shall be bright at last.Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still knowHis voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
And these day “He Giveth More Grace” has also served to encourage:
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,When we reach the end of our hoarded resourcesOur Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,His power no boundary known unto men;For out of His infinite riches in JesusHe giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
They aren’t the deep, meaty hymns, but rather the ones that have carried me this year. Sometimes we find ourselves riding out the storm on the boundless grace of God.
What an excellent post!!! It reminded me of yet another hymn about the love of God, which has to be some of my own favorite hymn lyrics (there are so many good ones out there, it is hard to choose favorites!)
O love of God, how strong and true!Eternal, and yet ever new;Uncomprehended and unbought,Beyond all knowledge and all thought.
O love of God, how deep and great!Far deeper than man’s deepest hate;Self-fed, self-kindled like the light,Changeless, eternal, infinite.
O heavenly love, how precious still,In days of weariness and ill,In nights of pain and helplessness,To heal, to comfort, and to bless!
O wide embracing, wondrous love!We read thee in the sky above,We read thee in the earth below,In seas that swell, and streams that flow.
We read thee best in him who cameTo bear for us the cross of shame;Sent by the Father from on high,Our life to live, our death to die.
We read thy power to bless and save,Even in the darkness of the grave;Still more in resurrection lightWe read the fulness of thy might.
O love of God, our shield and stayThrough all the perils of our way!Eternal love, in thee we rest,For ever safe, for ever blest.
I like the last two stanzas to John Newton’s hymn “Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder.” (I don’t know if the last one was actually penned by Newton or added later by another hymnist.) They get me thinking about evangelism in the big picture of covenant salvation history and final rest with God and His glorious kingdom.
Let us praise, and join the chorusOf the saints enthroned on high;Here they trusted Him before us;Now their praises fill the sky!Thou hast washed us with Thy blood;Thou art worthy, Lamb of God!
Hark! The name of Jesus, soundedLoud from golden harps above!Lord, we blush, and are confounded;Faint our praises, cold our love!Wash our souls and songs with blood,For by Thee we come to God.
brlittle: I cannot sing verse 3 of “It is Well” without tears in my eyes. I cry every time I sing it, without fail!
I speak about hymns to interested groups, as well as teach formal Hymnology classes, so this post—and all its comments—was a great encouragement to me. In my classes I give out a list of 50 hymns that everyone should know; here are my “Top 10,” chosen very specifically for their doctrinal content: 1. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” by Isaac Watts. The greatest hymn in the English language. 2. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” words/music by Martin Luther. Based on Psalm 46. “God is our refuge and strength.”3. “Holy, Holy, Holy,” by Reginald Heber. The holiness of God; the Trinity. Tune: NICAEA, after the Council of Nicaea. 4. “And Can it Be,” by Charles Wesley (5 stanzas). The Deity of Christ; the Incarnation; Christ’s death for us. 5. “To God Be the Glory,” by Fanny Crosby. The Person and Work of Christ. “And give Him the glory…” 6. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” by Thomas O. Chisholm. From Lamentations 3:22-23. “It is of the Lord’s mercies…”7. “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart,” by George Croly (5 stanzas). The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit. 8. “It Is Well With My Soul,” by Horatio G. Spafford. Important story behind this hymn. “Even so …” 9. “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” words/music by Haldor Lillenas. The Person and Work of Christ. The complementary men’s and women’s parts greatly enhance the message of the hymn. 10. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name,” by Edward Perronet. 3 tunes. Most frequently sung is the tune CORONATION, then DIADEM. MILES LANE is more popular in England.
I encourage my students to learn these hymns well, and even to memorize them. As with most traditional hymns, the quality of the poetry is excellent — a factor that makes memorization very easy. Even for children. What a joy it is to be able to sing hymns from memory — all the verses— while driving, or doing housework or gardening, or wherever you happen to be.
I agree with Michael Adams - praise God for our Arminian brothers!
My vote is for a hymn by Nicolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf. It was translated by Wesley and I often hear him credited as its author:
Jesus, your blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my glorious dress; Mid flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head; With joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in that great day, and none condemn me, try who may; Fully absolved, through Christ I am, from sin and fear, from guilt and shame; From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
This stainless robe its beauty wears, when all else fades in passing years, no age can change its glorious hue, the robe of Christ is ever new; the robe of Christ is ever new.
When from the dust of death I arise, to claim my home beyond the skies; Then this shall be my only plea, that Jesus died and lives for me; That Jesus died and lives for me.
Jesus Your Blood And RighteousnessSo shall the dead now hear your voice, let those once lost in sin rejoice; Their beauty this, their glorious dress, Jesus, your blood and righteousness; Jesus, your blood and righteousness; Jesus, your blood and righteousness.
There is great new music by Ruth Buchanan. Very singable indeed!
Wow. Too many to name. Several came immediately to mind, a few of which have already been mentioned. Verse 3 of “It Is Well.” The 3rd and 4th verses of “A Mighty Fortress” (which I led today at our church), particularly the brilliant play on words: “For lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. That Word above all earthly pow’rs…” “How Firm a Foundation.” From Isaac Watts’ “How Sweet and Awful is the Place,” the stanza that says: “While all our hearts and all our songs join to admire the feast; each of us cry with thankful tongues, ‘Lord why was I a guest?’”
And another one we sang today - a more recent discovery on my part - the 5th verse of “My Song Is Love Unknown.” Here it is:
They rise and needs will have my dear Lord made awayA murderer they save, the Prince of Life they slayYet cheerful he to suffering goesthat he his foes from thence might free
My head is spinning! Too many great hymn lyrics!
My favorite hymns can be easily listened to and found on the Red Mountain music website (http://www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/). The new arrangement and change of a few pronouns in the lyrics has made the hymn “Satisfied” one of my absolute favorites.
1. All my life long I had pantedfor a drink from some cool springthat I hoped would quench the burningof the thirst I felt within
CHORUS:Hallelujah! He has found methe One my soul so long has cravedJesus satisfies all my longingsthrough his blood I now am saved
2. Feeding on the filth around me’til my strength was almost gonelonged my soul for something betteronly still to hunger on
3. Poor I was and sought for richessomething that would satisfybut the dust I gathered ‘round meonly mocked my soul’s sad cry
4. Well of water, ever springingBread of Life so rich and freeuntold wealth that never failethmy Redeemer is to me
Of course, it’s hard to beat anything by Indelible Grace (igrace music/Kevin Twitt/ RUF) http://igracemusic.com/igracemusic/hymnbook/home.html.
Love your blog….am a subscriber. Favorite entry thus far: Borrowed Grace
Thanks Tim, “And Can It Be” is one of my favourite hymns as well. Also thank you Carol (#19) for that great top ten list of hymns.
I also really like “Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my FatherThere is no shadow of turning with TheeThou changest not, Thy compassions they fail notAs Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness!Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I seeAll I have needed Thy hand hast providedGreat is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
I love many of these hymns. Jesus the Name high over all is a favourite but I think this verse by Toplady is top of the list for me.A Sovereign protector I haveUnseen, yet for ever 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 surroundThe soul he delights to defend.
Current fav hymn is:
Before the throne of God aboveI have a strong and perfect plea.A great high Priest whose Name is LoveWho ever lives and pleads for me.My name is graven on His hands,My name is written on His heart.I know that while in Heaven He standsNo tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despairAnd tells me of the guilt within,Upward I look and see Him thereWho made an end of all my sin.Because the sinless Savior diedMy sinful soul is counted free.For God the just is satisfiedTo look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,My perfect spotless righteousness,The great unchangeable I AM,The King of glory and of grace,One in Himself I cannot die.My soul is purchased by His blood,My life is hid with Christ on high,With Christ my Savior and my God!
Before the Throne of God Above is one of my favourites … especially:
“My name is graven on His hands,My name is written on His heart.I know that while in Heaven He standsNo tongue can bid me thence depart.”
And the last two verses of How Deep the Father’s Love
“Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shouldersAshamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffersIt was my sin that held him there until it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdomBut I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom.”
Lots of good ones above, and my heart is stirred by so many at different times. Lately it has been “How Sweet and Awful is the Place.”
How sweet and awful is the placeWith Christ within the doors,While everlasting love displaysThe choicest of her stores.
While all our hearts and all our songsJoin to admire the feast,Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,”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 feastThat 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 raceMay, with one voice and heart and soul,Sing Thy redeeming grace.
The last stanza of “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”
Savior, if of Zion’s city,I through grace a member am,Let the world deride or pity,I will glory in Thy Name.Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,All his boasted pomp and show;Solid joys and lasting treasureNone but Zion’s children know.
All,So many beautiful hymns! Some I’ve not heard of before…
A favorite of my paternal Grandfather was “The Old Rugged Cross”. He once asked me to play this hymn on my trumpet for him. I was about 12 at the time and did a terrible job trying to play it. In part, perhaps, because I was nervous and the old hymnal was also hard to read and likely in a diffcult key. Yet, he didn’t seem to mind. He was a WWI veteran and I was under the distinct impression that this hymn had a special meaning for him as a result of his experience in Europe. I was too young to take the chance of asking him for more details. I was shy about this because I knew that he didn’t like to talk about the war… I am very sorry now that I didn’t take the chance and ask anyway!
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,The emblem of suffering and shame;And I love that old cross where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain.
I would have to say my all time favorite is “Amazing Grace”. The word “wretch” seemed so appropriate in describing my sinfulness.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me -I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see.
Hey, while looking for precise lyrics, I stumbled on to this website: http://www.cyberhymnal.org Here’s what they say about their website:”This site has over 7,100 Christian hymns & Gospel songs from many denominations. You’ll find lyrics, scores, MIDI files, pictures, history, & more. To use the site effectively, you’ll need speakers, a sound card & a browser that supports JavaScript & XHTML, & can play MIDI files.”
Great post Tim….
2 come to mind immediately…
“How Sweet and Awful is the Place”
While all our hearts and all our songsJoin to admire the feast,Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,”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?”
And…
The whole of “Come Thou Fount” …esp…
“O to grace how great a debtorDaily I’m constrained to be!Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,Bind my wandering heart to Thee.Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,Prone to leave the God I love;Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,Seal it for Thy courts above.”
You can find “What Wondrous Love Is This?” by Michelle Tumeson youtube.
I thought I loved this hymn before but her version has burned it onto my heart.
“What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!What wondrous love is this, O my soul!What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of blissTo bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.”
Tim,
Thanks for your post. My favorite hymn is “And Can It Be,” but I find the fourth verse to be that which causes me to weep.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;My chains fell off, my heart was free,I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
What a vivid picture of the contrast between sin and salvation found in Ephesians 2:1-10.
My favorite hymn is How Great Thou Art, especially these verses…
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art.Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Well, there are so many more of my favorites already mentioned…
Thought I’d put down some no one has mentioned yet! Here are titles of hymns I figure everyone knows already.
“Our God, our help in ages past”“This is my Father’s world”“Jesus, I am resting, resting”“Man of Sorrows, what a name!”“There is a fountain filled with blood”“Alas and did my Savior bleed”“Crown Him with many crowns”“Arise, my soul, arise!”“Break Thou the bread of life”“Blest be the tie that binds”“Jesus shall reign”“Jesus, what a Friend for sinners!”“Lead on, O King eternal”“Take my life, and let it be”“He leadeth me, O blessed thought!”“Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah”“All the way my Savior leads me”“What a Friend we have in Jesus”“Sweet hour of prayer”“How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds”“My Jesus, I love Thee”“Like a river glorious”“Nothing but the blood”“Jesus paid it all”“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”“Jesus, keep me near the cross”
Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise theeFor the bliss thy love bestows,For the pard’ning grace that saves me,And the peace that from it flows;Help, O God, my weak endeavor;This dull soul to rapture raise;Thou must light the flame, or neverCan my love be warmed to praise.
Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,Wretched wand’rer far astray;Found thee lost, and kindly brought theeFrom the paths of death away;Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling,Him who saw thy guilt-born fear,And, the light of hope revealing,Bade the blood-stained cross appear.
Praise thy Saviour God that drew theeTo that cross, new life to give,Held a blood-sealed pardon to thee,Bade thee look to him and live;Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee,Roused thee from thy fatal ease,Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee,Praise the grace that whispered peace.
Lord, this bosom’s ardent feelingVainly would my lips express;Low before thy footstool kneeling,Deign thy suppliant’s prayer to bless:Let thy love, my soul’s chief treasure,Love’s pure flame within me raise,And, since words can never measure,Let my life show forth thy praise.- Francis Scott Key (yes, the same one!)—————————————————————————————————————————-
O Lord, how shall I meet thee,How welcome thee aright?Thy people long to greet thee,My hope, my heart’s delight!O, kindle, Lord, most holy,Thy lamp within my breastTo do in spirit lowlyAll that may please thee best.
Love caused thine incarnation,Love brought thee down to me;Thy thirst for my salvationProcured my liberty.O love beyond all telling,That led thee to embrace,In love all love excelling,Our lost and fallen race!
Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,Who sit in deepest gloom,Who mourn o’er joys departedAnd tremble at your doom.Despair not, he is near you,Yea, standing at the door,Who best can help and cheer youAnd bids you weep no more.
Sin’s debt, that fearful burden,Let not your soul distress;Your guilt the Lord will pardonAnd cover by his grace.He comes, for men procuringThe peace of sin forgiv’n,For all God’s sons securingTheir heritage in heav’n.- Paul Gerhardt————————————————————————————————————————-
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 proveFind it everlasting love.
Which of all our friends, to save us,Could or would have shed his blood?But our Jesus died to have usReconciled in him to God.This was boundless love indeed;Jesus is a Friend in need.
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 anotherWhat he daily bears from us?Yet this glorious Friend and BrotherLoves 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 oftenWhat a Friend we have above.But when home our souls are brought,We will love thee as we ought.- John Newton—————————————————————————————————————————
Jesus, with thy church abide,Be her Saviour, Lord and Guide,While on earth her faith is tried:We beseech thee, hear us.
Keep her life and doctrine pure;Grant her patience to endure,Trusting in thy promise sure:We beseech thee, hear us.
May she one in doctrine be,One in truth and charity,Winning all to faith in thee:We beseech thee, hear us.
May she guide the poor and blind,Seek the lost until she find,And the brokenhearted bind:We beseech thee, hear us.
Save her love from growing cold,Make her watchmen strong and bold,Fence her round, thy peaceful fold:We beseech thee, hear us.
May her lamp of truth be bright,Bid her bear aloft its lightThrough the realms of heathen night:We beseech thee, hear us.
Arm her soldiers with the cross,Brave to suffer toil or loss,Counting earthly gain but dross:We beseech thee, hear us.
May she holy triumphs win,Overthrow the hosts of sin,Gather all the nations in:We beseech thee, hear us.- Thomas Benson Pollock—————————————————————————————————————————
I love thy Kingdom, Lord,The house of thine abode,The church our blest Redeemer savedWith his own precious blood.
I love thy church, O God:Her walls before thee stand,Dear as the apple of thine eye,And graven on thy hand.
For her my tears shall fall,For her my prayers ascend;To her my cares and toils be giv’n,Till toils and cares shall end.
Beyond my highest joyI prize her heav’nly ways,Her sweet communion, solemn vows,Her hymns of love and praise.
Jesus, thou Friend Divine,Our Saviour and our King,Thy hand from ev’ry snare and foeShall great deliv’rance bring.
Sure as thy truth shall last,To Zion shall be giv’nThe brightest glories earth can yield,And brighter bliss of heav’n.- Timothy Dwight—————————————————————————————————————————
Revive thy work, O Lord,Thy mighty arm make bare;Speak with the voice that wakes the dead,And make thy people hear.
Revive thy work, O Lord,Disturb this sleep of death;Quicken the smould’ring embers nowBy thine almighty breath.
Revive thy work, O Lord,Create soul-thirst for thee;And hung’ring for the Bread of LifeO may our spirits be.
Revive thy work, O Lord,Exalt thy precious Name;And, by the Holy Ghost, our loveFor thee and thine inflame.
Revive thy work, O Lord,Give pentecostal show’rs:The glory shall be all thine own,The blessing, Lord, be ours.- Albert Midlane———————————————————————————————————————
To thy temple I repair;Lord, I love to worship there,When within the veil I meetChrist before the mercy-seat.Christ before the mercy-seat.
While thy glorious praise is sung,Touch my lips, unloose my tongue,That my joyful soul may blessThee, the Lord my Righteousness.Thee, the Lord my Righteousness.
While the prayers of saints ascend,God of love, to mine attend;Hear me, for thy Spirit pleads;Hear, for Jesus intercedes.Hear, for Jesus intercedes.
While I hearken to thy law,Fill my soul with humble awe,Till thy gospel bring to meLife and immortality.Life and immortality.
While thy ministers proclaimPeace and pardon in thy Name,Through their voice, by faith, may IHear thee speaking from the sky.Hear thee speaking from the sky.
From thy house when I return,May my heart within me burn,And at evening let me say,”I have walked with God today.”“I have walked with God today.”- James Montgomery——————————————————————————————————————-
Christ for the world we sing;The world to Christ we bringWith loving zeal;The poor and them that mourn,The faint and overborne,Sin-sick and sorrow-worn,Whom Christ doth heal.
Christ for the world we sing;The world to Christ we bringWith fervent pray’r;The wayward and the lost,By restless passions tossed,Redeemed at countless costFrom dark despair.
Christ for the world we sing;The world to Christ we bringWith one accord;With us the work to share,With us reproach to dare,With us the cross to bear,For Christ our Lord.
Christ for the world we sing;The world to Christ we bringWith joyful song;The newborn souls whose days,Reclaimed from error’s ways,Inspired with hope and praiseTo Christ belong.- Samuel Wolcott———————————————————————————————————————-
Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched,Weak and wounded, sick and sore;Jesus ready stands to save you,Full of pity joined with pow’r:He is able,He is able,He is able,He is willing; doubt no more.
Come, ye needy, come and welcome,God’s free bounty glorify;True belief and true repentance,Ev’ry grace that brings you nigh,Without money,Without money,Without money,Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
Come, ye weary, heavy laden,Bruised and broken by the fall;If you tarry till you’re better,You will never come at all:Not the righteous,Not the righteous,Not the righteous,Sinners Jesus came to call.
Let not conscience make you linger,Nor of fitness fondly dream;All the fitness he requirethIs to feel your need of him;This he gives you,This he gives you,This he gives you;’Tis the Spirit’s rising beam.
Lo! th’incarnate God, ascended,Pleads the merit of his blood;Venture on him, venture wholly,Let no other trust intrude:None but Jesus,None but Jesus,None but JesusCan do helpless sinners good.- Joseph Hart—————————————————————————————————————————
We have not known thee as we ought,Nor learned thy wisdom, grace and pow’r;The things of earth have filled our thought,And trifles of the passing hour.Lord, give us light thy truth to see,And make us wise in knowing thee.
We have not feared thee as we ought,Nor bowed beneath thine awful eye,Nor guarded deed, and word, and thought,Remembering that God was nigh.Lord, give us faith to know thee near,And grant the grace of holy fear.
We have not loved thee as we ought,Nor cared that we are loved by thee;Thy presence we have coldly sought,And feebly longed thy face to see.Lord, give a pure and loving heartTo feel and own the love thou art.
We have not served thee as we ought;Alas! the duties left undone,The work with little fervor wrought,The battles lost, or scarcely won!Lord, give the zeal, and give the might,For thee to toil, for thee to fight.
When shall we know thee as we ought,And fear, and love, and serve aright!When shall we, out of trial brought,Be perfect in the land of light!Lord, may we day by day prepareTo see thy face, and serve thee there.- Thomas Benson Pollock———————————————————————————————————————-
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:Jesus loves to answer pray’r;He himself has bid thee pray,Therefore will not say thee nay.Therefore will not say thee nay.
Thou art coming to a King,Large petitions with thee bring;For his grace and pow’r are such,None can ever ask too much.None can ever ask too much.
With my burden I begin:Lord, remove this load of sin;Let thy blood, for sinners spilt,Set my conscience free from guilt.Set my conscience free from guilt.
Lord, I come to thee for rest,Take possession of my breast;There thy blood-bought right maintain,And without a rival reign.And without a rival reign.
While I am a pilgrim here,Let thy love my spirit cheer;As my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,Lead me to my journey’s end.Lead me to my journey’s end.
Show me what I have to do,Ev’ry hour my strength renew:Let me live a life of faith,Let me die thy people’s deathLet me die thy people’s death.- John Newton———————————————————————————————————————
More love to thee, O Christ,More love to thee!Hear thou the prayer I makeOn bended knee;This is my earnest plea,More love, O Christ, to thee,More love to thee,More love to thee.
Once earthly joy I craved,Sought peace and rest;Now thee alone I seek;Give what is best:This all my prayer shall be,More love, O Christ, to thee,More love to thee,More love to thee.
Let sorrow do its work,Send grief and pain;Sweet are thy messengers,Sweet their refrain,When they can sing with me,More love, O Christ, to thee,More love to thee,More love to thee.
Then shall my latest breathWhisper thy praise;This be the parting cryMy heart shall raise,This still its prayer shall be,More love, O Christ, to thee,More love to thee,More love to thee.- Elizabeth Payson Prentiss—————————————————————————————————————————
Jesus, thou Joy of loving hearts,Thou Fount of life, thou Light of men,From the best bliss that earth impartsWe turn unfilled to thee again.
Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;Thou savest those that on thee call;To them that seek thee thou art good,To them that find thee all in all.
We taste thee, O thou living Bread,And long to feast upon thee still;We drink of thee, the Fountainhead,And thirst our souls from thee to fill.
Our restless spirits yearn for thee,Where’er our changeful lot is cast;Glad when thy gracious smile we see,Blest when our faith can hold thee fast.
O Jesus, ever with us stay,Make all our moments calm and bright;Chase the dark night of sin away,Shed o’er the world thy holy light.- attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux————————————————————————————————————————-
The sands of time are sinking,The dawn of heaven breaks,The summer morn I’ve sighed for,The fair sweet morn awakes;Dark, dark, hath been the midnight,But dayspring is at hand,And glory, glory dwellethIn Emmanuel’s land.
The King there in his beautyWithout a veil is seen;It were a well-spent journeyThough seven deaths lay between:The Lamb with his fair armyDoth on Mount Zion stand,And glory, glory dwellethIn Emmanuel’s land.
O Christ, he is the fountain,The deep sweet well of love!The streams on earth I’ve tastedMore deep I’ll drink above:There to an ocean fullnessHis mercy doth expand,And glory, glory dwellethIn Emmanuel’s land.
The bride eyes not her garment,But her dear bridegroom’s face;I will not gaze at glory,But on my King of grace;Not at the crown he gifteth,But on his pierced hand:The Lamb is all the gloryOf Emmanuel’s land.- Ann R. Cousin——————————————————————————————————————————-
Christ shall have dominionOver land and sea,Earth’s remotest regionsShall his empire be;They that wilds inhabitShall their worship bring,Kings shall render tribute,Nations serve our King.
Christ shall have dominionOver land and sea,Earth’s remotest regionsShall his empire be;
When the needy seek him,He will mercy show;Yea, the weak and helplessShall his pity know;He will surely save themFrom oppression’s might,For their lives are preciousIn his holy sight.
Christ shall have dominionOver land and sea,Earth’s remotest regionsShall his empire be;
Ever and for everShall his Name endure,Long as suns continueIt shall stand secure;And in him for everAll men shall be blest,And all nations hail himKing of kings confessed.
Unto God AlmightyJoyful Zion sings;He alone is glorious,Doing wondrous things.Evermore, ye people,Bless his glorious name,His eternal gloryThrough the earth proclaim.
Christ shall have dominionOver land and sea,Earth’s remotest regionsShall his empire be;- from Psalm 72, 1912 Psalter—————————————————————————————————————————-
Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;Into thy freedom, gladness and light,Jesus, I come to thee;Out of my sickness into thy health,Out of my want and into thy wealth,Out of my sin and into thyself,Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my shameful failure and loss,Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;Into the glorious gain of thy cross,Jesus, I come to thee;Out of earth’s sorrows into thy balm,Out of life’s storms and into thy calm,Out of distress to jubilant psalm,Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of unrest and arrogant pride,Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;Into thy blessed will to abide,Jesus, I come to thee;Out of myself to dwell in thy love,Out of despair into raptures above,Upward for aye on wings like a dove,Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;Into the joy and light of thy home,Jesus, I come to thee;Out of the depths of ruin untold,Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,Ever thy glorious face to behold,Jesus, I come to thee.- W. T. Sleeper
Those are two of my very very favorites. Mercy Me has a version of the Love of God that’s nice as well.
Another one I like is How Firm a Foundation:
When through fiery trials your pathways shall lieMy grace all sufficient will be your supplyMy flame shall not hurt thee I only designYour dross to consume and your gold to refine.
Many of the hymns mentioned above are favourites - I love the Red Mountain version of “there is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Emmanuels veins”.and…How deep the Father’s love for us,how vast beyond all measurethat He should give His only Sonto make a wretch His treasureHow great the pain of searing loss,The Father turns His face awayAs wounds which mar the chosen One,Bring many sons to glory
I love hymns! My church had a bunch of old hymnals they were not using any more, so I took with me. Some of my favorites (sorry, I can’t help but to share so many!):
(Trust and Obey)Trust and obey,For there’s no other wayTo be happy in JesusThan to trust and obey…What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go,Never fear only trust and obey.
(To God Be the Glory)To God be the glory, great things He hath doneSo loved He the world that He gave us His SonWho yielded His life an atonement for sinAnd opened the Lifegate that all may go in
(Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us)Savior like a shepherd lead us,Be the Guardian of our wayKeep thy flock from sin defend usSeek us when we go astray
(Jesus Paid it All)Jesus paid it allAll to Him I oweSin had left a crimson stainHe washed it white as snow
(Near the Cross)Jesus, keep me near the cross,There a precious fountainFree to all, a healing stream,Flows from Calv’ry’s mountain
In the cross, in the crossBe my glory everTill my raptured soul shall findRest beyond the river…Near the cross! O Lamb of GodBring its scenes before meHelp me walk from day to dayWith its shadows o’er me
(Here is Love)On the mount of crucifixionFountains opened deep and wideThrough the floodgates of God’s mercyFlowed a vast and gracious tideGrace and love, like mighty riversPoured incessant from aboveHeaven’s peace and perfect justiceKissed a guilty world in love
Please, would somebody provide me the words for the song “Thank You”. Every line begins with these words and one line goes: for wishes denied or something similiar.
With much appreciation.
Leonie,
Here is that hymn:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/h/thankstg.htm
This part of “Before the Throne of God Above”:
When Satan tempts me to despairAnd tells me of the guilt within,Upward I look and see Him thereWho made an end of all my sin.