Welcome!
(If you've been here before, skip right on down to the music for this weekend! If you're new, here's a little introduction!)
Here you will find music for at-home musical worship. You can listen to a piano prelude that will help you to enter into a spirit of worship. And then . . . the singing begins!
You'll find simple piano accompaniments for each hymn that will help you to sing with joy. Each hymn has been transposed downward: no need to fear the high notes! You'll also find Bible verses that thematically relate to (or directly inspired) the lyrics as well as historical background about each hymn. Some songs may be new to you, so the printed music might be helpful: you'll also find links to recordings of the hymns with singing so that you can get a feel for the melody. At the end of each week's post, you'll hear a piano postlude intended to send you forth with a refreshed and renewed spirit!
The lyrics and Scripture are beautiful to meditate upon all on their own. Most historical hymns were written first as poems, and it can be meaningful to read or speak the lyrics. I've provided the lyrics for the hymn-based prelude and postlude selections so that you can read them while you listen to the solo piano arrangements.
If you would like to hear any of your favorite hymns from past "Notes of Glory" posts again, here is an alphabetical list, with each hymn linked to the post where it first appeared (dating back to the very first post on March 22, 2020).
Complete "Notes of Glory" Song List
IF YOU ARE LISTENING/VIEWING ON A MOBILE DEVICE/TABLET:
If given an option on your mobile device, click "LISTEN IN BROWSER" (rather than "Play on SoundCloud") on the audio player windows so that you stay on this page and can sing along using the printed lyrics.
PRELUDE
(to help you prepare to worship)
Upward Reflection
Piano solo by Donna J. Krieger
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING AT HOME
All Creatures of Our God and King
Words by Francis of Assisi, Music "Lasst Uns Erfreuen" hymn tune arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Psalm 148
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
______________________________
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the Lord!
______________________________
To learn about the rich history of this hymn inspired by Psalm 148 (with lyrics dating to c. 1225) click here. If you'd like to hear a recording of "All Creatures of Our God and King" with singing, here is a beautiful arrangement of this hymn with the Cambridge Singers, and the City of London Sinfonia, directed by John Rutter. And here is a solo version featuring the contemporary Christian singer Fernando Ortega.
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam,
Refrain:
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise Him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of evening, find a voice, [Refrain]
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest us both warmth and light, [Refrain]
All ye who are of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on Him cast your care, [Refrain]
Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One, [Refrain]
I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace
Words by Daniel Whittle, Music by Music by James McGranahan
2 Timothy 1:8-12
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
______________________________
Evangelist Daniel Whittle (1840-1901) and musician James McGranahan (1840-1907) worked together during the late 1800s, preaching and leading singing at revivals across the U.S. and in Great Britain. Together they wrote "I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace" in 1883, and you can read more about them and learn about the history and significance of this hymn here. If you'd like to hear a recording of this hymn with congregational singing, click here. Here is a recording by contemporary gospel singer Babbie Mason of "I Know Whom I Have Believed."
I know not why God's wondrous grace
to me he has made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.
Refrain:
But "I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day."
I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his Word
wrought peace within my heart. [Refrain]
I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing men of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in him. [Refrain]
I know not what of good or ill
may be reserved for me,
of weary ways or golden days,
before his face I see. [Refrain]
All the Way, My Savior Leads Me
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by Robert Lowry
Exodus 17:5-6
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
and worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One, [Refrain]
I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace
Words by Daniel Whittle, Music by Music by James McGranahan
2 Timothy 1:8-12
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
______________________________
Evangelist Daniel Whittle (1840-1901) and musician James McGranahan (1840-1907) worked together during the late 1800s, preaching and leading singing at revivals across the U.S. and in Great Britain. Together they wrote "I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace" in 1883, and you can read more about them and learn about the history and significance of this hymn here. If you'd like to hear a recording of this hymn with congregational singing, click here. Here is a recording by contemporary gospel singer Babbie Mason of "I Know Whom I Have Believed."
I know not why God's wondrous grace
to me he has made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.
Refrain:
But "I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I've committed
unto him against that day."
I know not how this saving faith
to me he did impart,
nor how believing in his Word
wrought peace within my heart. [Refrain]
I know not how the Spirit moves,
convincing men of sin,
revealing Jesus through the Word,
creating faith in him. [Refrain]
I know not what of good or ill
may be reserved for me,
of weary ways or golden days,
before his face I see. [Refrain]
All the Way, My Savior Leads Me
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by Robert Lowry
Exodus 17:5-6
And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.'
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'
______________________________
In his book 101 Hymn Stories, author Kenneth Osbeck describes how Frances Jane "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1915) wrote "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" as a response to God's provision for her financial needs.
Here is a recording of contemporary Christian singer Gary Chapman singing a solo version of "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," and here are the Scottish Festival Singers with a choral arrangement of the same hymn.
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.'
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'
______________________________
In his book 101 Hymn Stories, author Kenneth Osbeck describes how Frances Jane "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1915) wrote "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" as a response to God's provision for her financial needs.
This beloved gospel hymn was the expression of gratitude to God and as a direct answer to prayer. It is reported that one day Fanny Crosby desperately needed five dollars and did not know where she could obtain this amount. As was her custom, she began to pray about this matter. Within a few minutes a stranger appeared at her door with just the right amount. "I have no way of accounting for this," she wrote, "except to believe that God, in answer to my prayer, put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money. My first thought was, it is so wonderful the way the Lord leads me. I immediately wrote the poem and Dr. Lowry set it to music." (Osbeck, 26)Pastor and musician Robert Lowry (1826-1899 ) who wrote the music for "All the Way My Savior Leads Me" in 1875 also wrote the music for "I Need Thee Every Hour" along with nearly 500 other hymn tunes He also composed music and lyrics for the hymns "Shall We Gather at the River," "Christ Arose! (Low in the Grave He Lay)," "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and "Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus."
Here is a recording of contemporary Christian singer Gary Chapman singing a solo version of "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," and here are the Scottish Festival Singers with a choral arrangement of the same hymn.
All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
All the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy!)
The Zeal Of the Lord
Piano solo by Anthony Giamanco
Psalm 37:30-32
And this shall be the sign for you: this year you shall eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from that. Then in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit. And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
No comments:
Post a Comment