Welcome to another edition of Notes of Glory! Once again we will praise God together by singing beautiful music "with heart and soul and voice" while we eagerly anticipate the day when we can sing together in person once more!
If you are a first-time visitor, click here to find out the story of "Notes of Glory." (You will also find instructions here for listening to music using the SoundCloud windows).
Here's an alphabetical list of all "Notes of Glory" music with links so that you can revisit your favorite hymns/songs and sing them once again!
People Need the Lord
Words by Greg Nelson, Music by Phill McHugh, arranged for solo piano by Mark Hayes
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 10:9
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
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Although this contemporary Christian song was truly "contemporary" back in the early 1980s when it became extremely popular as a result of a beautiful recording by singer Steve Green, "People Need the Lord" still resonates deeply through its warm, inviting melody and its touching lyrics. People do need the Lord now and always, and this song reminds us of that in such a meaningful and poignant way.
Robert Cottrill related the story of this song's origins on his website, "Wordwise Hymns."
Greg Nelson and Phill McHugh were trying create a new song one day in 1983. But, short on ideas, they decided to take a break for lunch.Later, seated in a restaurant, they were approached by a waitress. As she smiled at them, they realized she was making an effort to look cheerful, but really wasn’t. There was a kind of emptiness in her eyes and she seemed sad and lonely. “She needs the Lord,” the men said to each other.And as they looked around the restaurant, they saw other anxious, careworn, faces devoid of hope. The thought came to them both, “People need the Lord, and we need to write about that." That afternoon, they produced an eloquent gospel song on the theme that begins:
Ev’ry day they pass me by, I can see it in their eye;Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.On they go through private pain, living fear to fear.Laughter hides the silent cries only Jesus hears.People need the Lord.
Mark Hayes, whose piano arrangements have been featured many times here on Notes of Glory, created an exquisite solo piano version of this song. Be sure to read the lyrics listed below as you listen: without an awareness of the text to infuse the melody with deep meaning and purpose, you're just hearing a collection of pretty notes.
Ev'ryday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides the silent cries
Only Jesus hears
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides the silent cries
Only Jesus hears
Chorus
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams
He's the open door
People need the Lord
People need the Lord
When will we realize
People need the Lord
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share
CCLI Song # 18084
Greg Nelson | Phill McHugh
© 1983 River Oaks Music Company (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Shepherd's Fold Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 419384
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)
Words by Isaac Watts, Music by John Hatton ("Duke Street" hymn tune)
Psalm 72:5-8
May they fear you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
Psalm 72:12-19
For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
the poor and him who has no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
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"Jesus Shall Reign" is one of the first English-language hymns with a missionary focus. The great English hymn writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748) based its text on Psalm 72, using the psalm's imagery to illustrate the future spread of the gospel, and using the reign of Solomon (King David's son) as a prophetic model, pointing ahead to the reign of Christ. As we've mentioned previously with other hymns by Watts, the psalms were the basic hymn book of the church in England at this time, but the sung versions of the psalms were often poorly paraphrased. Watts sought to improve the quality of church music by creating higher quality poetic versions of the psalms for congregational use, and also gradually began to include more New Testament material in his hymns. "Jesus Shall Reign" was published in Watts' 1719 collection Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament.
Watts, considered by many to be the "father of English hymnody," also wrote "Come We Who Love the Lord," Now Shall My Inward Joys Arise," "I Sing the Mighty Power of God," Joy to the World," and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," all of which have been featured in past Notes of Glory posts. One of the many tunes that have been sung with "Jesus Shall Reign," and the tune we'll be singing today, is "Duke Street" which was composed by English musician John Hatton (1710-1793). Little is known about Hatton except that he is said to have lived on Duke Street in Lancashire, England, hence the title of this famous tune attributed to him.
Featured previously on Notes of Glory as a majestic piano solo arrangement in April 2020 (you can listen to that here), "Jesus Shall Reign" will most likely be familiar to you. If you'd like to hear a recording with singing (to warm up your ears and refresh your memory) here is a video with Keith and Kristyn Getty leading the 2017 Sing! Conference attendees and choir in this hymn. Then come on back here and "dwell on His love with sweetest song!"
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| Public domain. Courtesy Hymnary.org |
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
To him shall endless prayer be made,
and praises throng to crown his head.
His name like sweet perfume* shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where'er he reigns:
the prisoners leap to lose their chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honors to our King,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.
*This line brings to mind the French carol "What is this Lovely Fragrance?," which we sang together last month on Notes of Glory.
Trusting Jesus
Words by Edgar Page Stites, Music by Ira D. Sankey
Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation;I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.
Psalm 62:8
Trust in him at all times, O people;pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
James 5:13
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.________________________________
It's such a joy to discover a lesser-known hymn with a timeless message. So often these songs are treasures just waiting to be brought back to life and introduced to new generations of believers. The hymn "Trusting Jesus" is exactly what we need to hear today: a reminder that in stormy times, "even when (our) faith is small," we can find joy and peace as we place our lives entirely in His capable hands.
The author of "Trusting Jesus" was Edgar Page Stites (1836-1921). This poet fought in the American Civil War and later worked as a riverboat pilot and served as a Methodist missionary to pioneer families in South Dakota. Stites was also a cousin to hymn writer Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, author of "Jesus I am Resting, Resting," which was featured on Notes of Glory in April 2020. Stites wrote a number of hymns, the most famous of which is "Beulah Land" (the title for this hymn was drawn from the King James version of Isaiah 62:4).
Stites' hymn/poem "Trusting Jesus" was published in a newspaper around 1876. At some point thereafter, Chicago-based evangelist Dwight Moody passed the newspaper clipping on to his song leader, Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908) and asked him to write a tune to go with Stites' poem. Sankey had one condition, as he described in Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns. "I assented, on condition that he (Moody) should vouch for the doctrine taught in the verses, and he said he would."
On p. 241 of the same book, Sankey relates a story involving the hymn "Trusting Jesus"
"About two years ago," writes a minister, "I visited a woman who was suffering from an incurable disease; but great as was her agony of body, her distress of mind was greater still. One day she said: 'The future is so dark, I dare not look forward at all.'To my question, ' Can't you trust yourself in God's hands?' she replied: ' No, I can't leave myself there.'I repeated the hymn, "Simply trusting ev'ry day,' and especially dwelt on the refrain, ' Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by.' Ah she said, 'I can trust him this moment; is it like that?' I then sang the hymn to her, and the change that came over her was wonderful.
She never lost this trust, and she had the page in her hymn-book turned down, that she might have the hymn read to her. After many months of intense suffering she passed away, 'simply trusting,' to the land where there shall be no more pain."
If this hymn is new to you, here's a recording from the Hyles-Anderson college choir.
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the *jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
*"jasper wall" refers to the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21. Verse 18 states, "the wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass."
Words and Music by Lelia N. Morris
James 4:8
Nearer, Still Nearer
Words and Music by Lelia N. Morris
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
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Lelia Naylor Morris (1862-1929) lived nearly her entire life in Ohio, having been born in the far eastern part of the state in 1862, the same year that her father left to fight in the Civil War. Upon his return in 1866, the Naylor family moved to Malta Ohio, and some years later, after her father's death, Lelia and her mother and sister opened a millinery shop in nearby McConnelsville. Lelia was converted to Christianity at age 10, and began playing the organ at prayer meetings during her teens. In 1881, Lelia married Charles H. Morris at the age of 19. The young couple became very active in their church in McConnelsville, and Lelia sang in the choir and helped with the Sunday school and women's ministries.
During these years, Lelia began to write hymn texts and often also composed the music to go with them. She met Irish-American composer and publisher Henry Lake Gilmour (1836-1920), author of the hymn "Haven of Rest," at a camp meeting in Maryland and he encouraged Morris in her creative work. Eventually, Morris wrote nearly 1000 hymn texts and tunes which were often composed while she was doing housework and completing her daily chores. "Nearer, Still Nearer" is one of her hymns included in many modern hymnals, and is a beautiful sung prayer, expressing a desire to draw near to the Lord and the request, "give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified."
If you are unfamiliar with this hymn, here is a gorgeous recording of it by the Oasis Chorale. "Nearer, Still Nearer" is overdue for a revival in our modern hymn repertoire. Lelia Morris has given us a very lovely reminder to seek Christ in our daily lives, embedded in a unique blending of text and tune created by just one person (a rarity in hymnody!).
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| Public domain. Courtesy of Cyberhymnal |
Draw me, my Savior, so precious thou art.
Fold me, O fold me close to thy breast;
Shelter me safe in that *haven of rest,
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus, my King–
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing thy blood doth impart,
Grant me the cleansing thy blood doth impart.
Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be thine,
Sin with its follies I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp, and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified,
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.
Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages, ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee.
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages, ever to be
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee,
Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to thee.
*"Haven of rest" here may refer to the phrase made popular by the hymn of the same name by Henry Lake Gilmour, who encouraged Leila Morris in her compositional projects. In that hymn, Gilmour states, "The haven of rest is my Lord." Here are the complete lyrics to that hymn. Some of you may be familiar with the famous radio program titled "Haven of Rest" which began in 1934, and is still in existence as "Haven Today." The musical ensemble called the "Haven Quartet" was featured on the program regularly through the years.
POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy!)
Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above
Words by Charles Wesley, "Amsterdam" hymn tune, attibuted to James Nares/Johann Georg Hille. Solo piano arrangement by Lloyd Larson
Psalm 150
Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
praise him with strings and pipe!
Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
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Church organists and pianists have a creative tool at their disposal for gently helping congregations to learn new hymns/songs. Keyboard players can include a version of the soon-to-be-introduced song as an instrumental prelude (or postlude) as a way of "planting" the melody in the ears of listeners so that when it is time to actually sing it during a service, it already sounds familiar. ("Hmm...I've heard that tune somewhere before!") Clever, no?
On that note (pun intended!) I'm going to "introduce" as a piano arrangement a hymn that we'll sing "congregationally" here on Notes of Glory in a few weeks, "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above." I love this hymn and hope you will, too! It's another fantastic Charles Wesley (1707-1788) creation (one of approximately 6500 by the great British hymn writer) and is based on Psalm 150. The theme of this hymn text may remind you a lot of "All Creatures of our God and King," which we sang on Notes of Glory last August. As a musician, I am very fond of the second verse which directly alludes to the second part of Psalm 150. Both Wesley's hymn and the latter part of the psalm are bursting with references to musical instruments, all tunefully playing to the glory of God. "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above" even speaks to the diplomatic blending of instruments with different tone qualities that is such an important part of collaborative musicianship: "timbrels soft and cymbals loud in His high praise agree."
It's easy to confuse the title of this hymn, written by Wesley in 1743, with "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above," another wonderful hymn that we sang on October 25 which was written in 1675 by Johann Jakob Schütz. The happy news is that we can enjoy singing both of these hymns, whenever and as often as we want! One could even create a majestic "He Reigns!" hymn medley by including today's first hymn, "Jesus Shall Reign," in the mix.
I'll share more about the history of "Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above" when we sing it here "together" soon. For now, enjoy this lively piano arrangement by Lloyd Larson of Wesley's joyful interpretation of Psalm 150. "Turn up your ears" to get to know the uplifting melody, and peruse Wesley's powerful lyrics below as you listen.
and keeps His courts below;
praise the holy God of love,
and all His greatness show.
Praise Him for His noble deeds,
praise Him for His matchless pow'r;
Him from whom all good proceeds
let earth and heaven adore.
Celebrate th'eternal God
with harp and psaltery;
timbrels soft and cymbals loud
in His high praise agree.
Praise Him, ev'ry tuneful string;
all the reach of heav'nly art,
all the pow'rs of music bring,
the music of the heart.
Him, in whom they move and live,
let ev'ry creature sing,
glory to their Maker give,
and homage to their King.
Hallowed be His name beneath,
as in heav'n, on earth adored;
praise the LORD in ev'ry breath,
let all things praise the LORD!
Here's a complete playlist of all the music featured in today's post.
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