Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones (Isaiah 49:13)
Today and every day we can shout for joy . . . our God is compassionate and loving! Here are hymns for you to sing at home this weekend that are bursting with themes of praise, supplication, comfort, and (blessed) assurance! You can also learn a beautiful "new" (old) hymn by the author of "Amazing Grace." The prelude will help you enter into a time of worship, and the postlude will send you joyfully on your way.
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PRELUDE
There is a Balm in Gilead
Traditional African-American Spiritual, arranged for solo piano by Mary Sallee
Since my people are crushed, I am crushed;
I mourn, and horror grips me.
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people? (Jeremiah 8:21-22)
The story of this profoundly beautiful African-American spiritual, which takes the prophet Jeremiah's question and gives it a resounding answer, "there IS a balm in Gilead," can be found here.
There is a balm in Gilead
to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead
to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged
and think my work's in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit
revives my soul again. (Refrain)
If you cannot preach like Peter,
if you cannot pray like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus
and say, "He died for all." (Refrain)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Words by Charles Wesley, Music by John Zundel
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (1 John 4:16)
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)The author of over 6,000 hymns (plus an additional 3,000 poems with spiritual themes), Charles Wesley (1707-1788) was the youngest of 19 children (10 of whom survived to adulthood) born to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. His early years were filled with Susannah's dynamic home-schooling: she taught her children for six hours each day, educating them in diverse subjects including Latin and Greek. After receiving his master's degree from Oxford University, Charles spent many years traveling on horseback and preaching with his brother John, often in open air settings. Although already a professing Christian he experienced a deep spiritual renewal in 1738: it was immediately following this period that he began to prolifically write hymns, including "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," and "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Scholars calculate that Wesley produced, on average, 10 lines of poetic verse a day for 50 years.
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" was included in Wesley's 1747 collection, Hymns for Those that Seek, and Those that Have, Redemption in the Blood of Christ. The tune that is now commonly matched with Wesley's text in American hymnals was composed in 1870 by John Zundel, a German organist and composer who emigrated to America and was hired by famed preacher Henry Ward Beecher to be organist and music director at Brooklyn's Plymouth Church.
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav'n to earth come down:
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev'ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest:
take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown:
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev'ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest:
take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be:
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
'til in heav'n we take our place,
'til we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
pure and spotless let us be:
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
'til in heav'n we take our place,
'til we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Words by Joseph Scriven, Music by Charles C. Converse
Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1886) was an Irish-born poet and preacher who emigrated to Canada in 1844. He wrote "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in 1855 as a message of comfort to his mother in Ireland who was seriously ill. Scriven had already faced severe trials and discouragement in his own life: here is a short documentary on Scriven and his most famous hymn.
Words by Joseph Scriven, Music by Charles C. Converse
Joseph M. Scriven (1819-1886) was an Irish-born poet and preacher who emigrated to Canada in 1844. He wrote "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in 1855 as a message of comfort to his mother in Ireland who was seriously ill. Scriven had already faced severe trials and discouragement in his own life: here is a short documentary on Scriven and his most famous hymn.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by Phoebe Knapp
Francis Jane "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1925) wrote over 8,000 hymns, including "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," "To God Be the Glory," "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "Rescue the Perishing," and "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross." Blinded at the age of six weeks by a sham doctor who applied hot mustard poultices to her eyes as a medical treatment, she did not consider her lack of vision to be an impairment and began writing poetry at the age of 8.
Fanny Crosby collaborated with a number of talented composers (she herself was also musically gifted). Often she wrote lyrics that matched pre-existing tunes, and this was the case with "Blessed Assurance," one of Fanny's best-known hymns. Composer Phoebe Knapp (1839-1908) played a tune for Fanny, asking, "what does that melody say to you?" Fanny immediately replied, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!" and then spontaneously recited her newly composed lyrics for the entire first stanza.
Fanny Crosby's inspiring life story is related in this documentary:
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge--
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by Phoebe Knapp
Francis Jane "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1925) wrote over 8,000 hymns, including "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," "To God Be the Glory," "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "Rescue the Perishing," and "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross." Blinded at the age of six weeks by a sham doctor who applied hot mustard poultices to her eyes as a medical treatment, she did not consider her lack of vision to be an impairment and began writing poetry at the age of 8.
Fanny Crosby collaborated with a number of talented composers (she herself was also musically gifted). Often she wrote lyrics that matched pre-existing tunes, and this was the case with "Blessed Assurance," one of Fanny's best-known hymns. Composer Phoebe Knapp (1839-1908) played a tune for Fanny, asking, "what does that melody say to you?" Fanny immediately replied, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!" and then spontaneously recited her newly composed lyrics for the entire first stanza.
Fanny Crosby's inspiring life story is related in this documentary:
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:22-23)
My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,
your praises all day long. (Psalm 35:28)
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior, all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior, all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. [Refrain]
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending, bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain]
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love. [Refrain]
Let's Learn a "New" (Old) Hymn Together
Words by John Newton, Music by Alexander Reinagle
You may recognize the name of John Newton: he was the author of "Amazing Grace," which is widely considered to be the most recognizable hymn in the English language. If you are not familiar with Newton's dramatic life journey and his crisis of conscience and subsequent reformation after a career as a slave trader, you can read about him here
After his conversion, Newton became the curate of a small parish in Olney, England, and wanted to create hymns that would promote "the faith and comfort of sincere Christians." "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" is one of many hymns by John Newton that appeared in Olney Hymns, a collection co-written by Newton and poet William Cowper in 1779.
Here is a post that provides further background information on Newton and "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds." In addition, this post from Hymnology Archive discusses each verse in detail and includes a photograph showing the hymn's original appearance The entire collection of Olney Hymns is available for online viewing here.
I've transposed this into a more comfortable singing key and will also play the entire hymn once through before playing the first verse. If you would like to hear a recording of this "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" with singing, here is a solo version and here is a version featuring organ and congregational singing.
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.
O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.
How weak the effort of my heart,
how cold my warmest thought;
but when I see you as you are,
I'll praise you as I ought.
Till then I would your love proclaim
with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of your name
refresh my soul in death.
Words by Cecil Frances Alexander, "Royal Oak" traditional English melody, arranged for solo piano by Roger Summers
This hymn was originally included in Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander's 1848 publication, Hymns for Little Children. The same collection also featured "Once in Royal David's City," which has become a much-loved Christmas carol. "Fanny" Alexander, as she was known to her friends, was devoted to helping those struggling with poverty and disease, and donated the proceeds from the sale of Hymns to Children to a charity improving the lives of hearing- and speech-impaired children.
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors,
he made their tiny wings. [Refrain]
You may recognize the name of John Newton: he was the author of "Amazing Grace," which is widely considered to be the most recognizable hymn in the English language. If you are not familiar with Newton's dramatic life journey and his crisis of conscience and subsequent reformation after a career as a slave trader, you can read about him here
After his conversion, Newton became the curate of a small parish in Olney, England, and wanted to create hymns that would promote "the faith and comfort of sincere Christians." "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" is one of many hymns by John Newton that appeared in Olney Hymns, a collection co-written by Newton and poet William Cowper in 1779.
Here is a post that provides further background information on Newton and "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds." In addition, this post from Hymnology Archive discusses each verse in detail and includes a photograph showing the hymn's original appearance The entire collection of Olney Hymns is available for online viewing here.
I've transposed this into a more comfortable singing key and will also play the entire hymn once through before playing the first verse. If you would like to hear a recording of this "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds" with singing, here is a solo version and here is a version featuring organ and congregational singing.
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
in a believer's ear!
It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds,
and drives away our fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast;
'tis manna to the hungry soul,
and to the weary, rest.
O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend,
my Prophet, Priest, and King,
my Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.
How weak the effort of my heart,
how cold my warmest thought;
but when I see you as you are,
I'll praise you as I ought.
Till then I would your love proclaim
with every fleeting breath;
and may the music of your name
refresh my soul in death.
All Things Bright And Beautiful
Words by Cecil Frances Alexander, "Royal Oak" traditional English melody, arranged for solo piano by Roger Summers
This hymn was originally included in Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander's 1848 publication, Hymns for Little Children. The same collection also featured "Once in Royal David's City," which has become a much-loved Christmas carol. "Fanny" Alexander, as she was known to her friends, was devoted to helping those struggling with poverty and disease, and donated the proceeds from the sale of Hymns to Children to a charity improving the lives of hearing- and speech-impaired children.
You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6)
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flow'r that opens,
each little bird that sings,
he made their glowing colors,
he made their tiny wings. [Refrain]
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them, ev'ry one. [Refrain]
The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the flowers by the water
we gather ev'ry day. [Refrain]
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. [Refrain]
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky. [Refrain]
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
he made them, ev'ry one. [Refrain]
The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
the flowers by the water
we gather ev'ry day. [Refrain]
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well. [Refrain]
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