Welcome to another edition of Notes of Glory, where we praise God together each week by singing "with heart and soul and voice" while we wait for 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!
Our Hope is in the Lord
Piano solo by Anthony Giamanco
Psalm 146:5-6
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
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Here's an uplifting solo by pianist, organist, conductor, and composer Anthony Giamanco that will help you to focus on the hope we have in Christ each new day: feel free to meditate on the verses listed above as you listen.
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
Words by W. Chatterton Dix, Music by Rowland Hugh Prichard, "Hyfrydol" hymn tune
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus,
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood,
"Jesus, out of every nation,
has redeemed us by His blood."
Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! Christ is near us,
faith believes, nor questions how;
though the cloud from sight received Him
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget His promise,
"I am with you evermore?"
Alleluia! Bread of Heaven,
Christ on earth our food and stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
rest in You from day to day:
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth's Redeemer, please for me,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
Words by Charles Wesley, Music by William Havergal, "Evan" hymn tune, arranged by Lowell Mason
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING ANYWHERE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
Words by W. Chatterton Dix, Music by Rowland Hugh Prichard, "Hyfrydol" hymn tune
Revelation 5:9-12
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Acts 1:9-11
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Matthew 28:20
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
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Earth's Redeemer. Heavenly High Priest. Intercessor.
Christ is praised, and our reasons for praising Christ are enumerated in this beautiful hymn text by British poet and businessman William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898), set to the famous tune "Hyfrydol" by Welsh musician Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811-1887). We have spent the past month celebrating the birth of Christ who was "born a child, and yet a king" (this line comes from "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus," another well-known text sung with "Hyfrydol"). Today we will continue to sing of Christ's majesty ("his the scepter, his the throne") in "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus" and will celebrate Christ's triumph and victory over death: he has "redeemed us with his blood." We also are reminded that Christ is Emmanuel (God with us) as we enter this new year. He is "our help, our stay," and we are not left as orphans because He is with us evermore.
The second verse includes the line "though the cloud from sight received him when the forty days were o'er, shall our hearts forget his promise, 'I am with you ever more?'." William Chatterton Dix, author of "What Child is This" and "As with Gladness Men of Old," which were both featured recently on Notes of Glory, wrote "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus" in 1866 as a hymn for Ascension Sunday (usually the Sunday that falls closest to 40 days after Easter each year). It was originally titled "Redemption in the Precious Blood" and was inspired by Revelation 5:9 (listed above). Although this hymn specifically refers to Christ's ascension into heaven as described in Acts chapter 1, it is a wonderful hymn for any time of year!
You'll most likely recognize the "Hyfrydol" hymn tune (we sang it at the beginning of Advent, with "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus") but if you'd like to hear a recording of "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus" here's a lovely one featuring the Choir of King's College.
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus,
His the scepter, His the throne;
Alleluia! His the triumph,
His the victory alone.
Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion
thunder like a mighty flood,
"Jesus, out of every nation,
has redeemed us by His blood."
Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! Christ is near us,
faith believes, nor questions how;
though the cloud from sight received Him
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget His promise,
"I am with you evermore?"
Alleluia! Bread of Heaven,
Christ on earth our food and stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
rest in You from day to day:
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
earth's Redeemer, please for me,
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.
Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love
Words by Charles Wesley, Music by William Havergal, "Evan" hymn tune, arranged by Lowell Mason
Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.Romans 12:4-5
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.__________________________
We miss one another! Worshipping "together" online has been a blessing, and the technology that allows for this is a gift for which we are all so grateful. But our hearts long for in-person fellowship. It's been a long time (nearly 10 months!) since we have been able to gather together in the same space. Even spending time together outside of church with our brothers and sisters in the faith has been sharply curtailed for health reasons.
"Blest be the dear uniting love" speaks to the beauty of Christian fellowship, and greatly comforts us in our time of separation from one another. The great British hymn writer Charles Wesley (1707-1788), featured many times here on Notes of Glory, truly understood the joy of being part of the family of God, united by faith in Him alone. Each lovely verse seems to have been written for us today, even though "Blest be the dear uniting love" first appeared in Wesley's collection Hymns and Sacred Poems in 1742, 278 years ago. Wesley helps us to appreciate the sweetness of our collective faith, and reminds us that God's presence in our lives unites even when we cannot be together at church or elsewhere. May this hymn be a blessing to you in the coming weeks as we wait on the Lord, keeping our eyes fixed on Him, and continuing to love and cherish one another in all the ways that we can right now.
Wesley wrote a final verse to this hymn that is sometimes omitted in printed versions, but also seems as timely as ever, as we believers anticipate a wondrous future as described in Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Then let us hasten to the daywhich shall our flesh restore;when death shall all be done away,and bodies part no more.
The tune matched here with "Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love" is called "Evan" and was written in 1846 by British clergyman, organist, poet, and composer William Henry Havergal (1793-1870), the father of Frances Havergal who wrote the text for "Another Year is Dawning" (featured last week on Notes of Glory) as well as "Take My Life and Let it Be." While both this hymn text and tune are probably new to you, I encourage you to listen to the piano recording and then join in at any point (you can always play the recording for a minute or so to get a feel for the tune, and then replay the track and sing along). I pray that God will use this hymn to minister to and encourage you during this challenging time.
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| Public domain. Courtesy of Hymnary.org |
Blest be the dear uniting love
that will not let us part;
our bodies may far off remove,
we still are one in heart.
Joined in one spirit to our Head,
where he appoints we go,
and still in Jesus' footsteps tread,
and do his work below.
O may we ever walk in him,
and nothing know beside,
nothing desire, nothing esteem,
but Jesus crucified!
We all are one who him receive,
and each with each agree,
in him the One, the Truth, we live;
blest point of unity!
Partakers of the Savior's grace,
the same in mind and heart,
nor joy, nor grief, nor time, nor place,
nor life, nor death can part.
that will not let us part;
our bodies may far off remove,
we still are one in heart.
Joined in one spirit to our Head,
where he appoints we go,
and still in Jesus' footsteps tread,
and do his work below.
O may we ever walk in him,
and nothing know beside,
nothing desire, nothing esteem,
but Jesus crucified!
We all are one who him receive,
and each with each agree,
in him the One, the Truth, we live;
blest point of unity!
Partakers of the Savior's grace,
the same in mind and heart,
nor joy, nor grief, nor time, nor place,
nor life, nor death can part.
Awake My Soul, and With the Sun
Words by Thomas Ken, Music by François H. Barthélemon, "Morning Hymn" tune
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength;I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
Psalm 143:8
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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You may remember that we sang the "Doxology" together in June 2020 here on Notes of Glory.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,praise him, all creatures here below,praise him above, angelic host,praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Along with the music and lyrics, I shared the following information:
The text commonly referred to today as "The Doxology" or "The Common Doxology" was originally a stanza attached to three hymns in a 1695 devotional book for morning and evening worship by Thomas Ken, written for students of Winchester College.
Today we're going to sing one of those devotional hymns (first written simply as poems, as many hymns were) by Thomas Ken (1637-1711) who is considered one of the fathers of modern English hymnody. "Awake, My Soul and With the Sun" was published along with "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night" as prayers for private devotion, and both included the "Doxology" as the final verse. These poetic prayers were not originally sung as hymns because at that time in England most congregational or public sacred singing was to be primarily drawn directly from the Psalms. Today we can heartily sing this lovely hymn that inspires us to lean on God throughout each day, and to give thanks for His protection during the night. This also seems like a beautiful text to sing at the dawn of a new year!
The tune "Morning Hymn" was written by French composer and violinist François Barthélemon (1741-1808). Jacob Duché, chaplain at the Female Orphan Asylum in London, asked Barthélemon to compose this hymn tune and it was published in 1789 in A Supplement to the Hymns and Psalms Used at the Asylum or House of Refuge for Female Orphans.
You'll notice that today we'll be singing seven verses of this hymn (scroll down below the printed music and recording window to see the lyrics for today). This seems like a lot by modern standards, but keep in mind each verse is fairly short. However, the version of "Awake, My Soul" we're singing today is half as long as Ken's original prayer which had 14 verses! Here are the other seven omitted verses:
In conversation be sincere,Keep conscience as the noon-tide clear:Think how all-seeing God thy waysAnd all thy secret thoughts surveys.By influence of the light divine,Let thy own light to others shine,Reflect all heaven’s propitious rays,In ardent love, and cheerful praise.I wake, I wake; ye heavenly choir,May your devotion me inspire,That I like you my age may spend,Like you may on my God attend.May I like you in God delight,Have all day long my God in sight,Perform like you my Maker’s will,O may I never more do ill.Had I your Wings, to Heaven I’d fly,But God shall that defect supply,And my Soul wing’d with warm desire,Shall all day long to Heav’n aspire.I would not wake, nor rise again,And Heav’n itself I would disdain;Were’t not Thou there to be enjoy’d,And I in Hymns to be employ’d.Heav’n is, dear Lord, where e’er Thou art,O never then from me depart ;For to my Soul, ’tis Hell to be,But for one moment void of Thee.
What a powerful prayer! Although this hymn is probably new to you, it is so beautiful and inspiring that I hope you consider learning it and including it in your active hymn repertoire. Here's a recording of this hymn by the Choir of Norwich Cathedral which will give you a chance to first hear this great hymn of the faith, still so very relevant today, before joyfully joining in with the lyrics and accompaniment below.
Awake, my soul, and with the sun
thy daily stage of duty run;
shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise
to pay thy morning sacrifice.
Redeem thy mis-spent time that's past,
and live this day as if thy last;
improve thy talent with due care;
for the great day thyself prepare.
Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
and with the angels bear thy part,
who all night long unwearied sing,
high praise to the eternal King.
All praise to Thee, who safe hast kept
and hast refreshed me whilst I slept;
grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake,
I may of endless light partake.
Lord, I my vows to thee renew;
disperse my sins as morning dew;
guard my first springs of thought and will,
and with thyself my spirit fill.
Direct, control, suggest, this day,
all I design or do or say;
that all my powers, with all their might,
in thy sole glory may unite.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
praise him, all creatures here below,
praise him above, angelic host,
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
POSTLUDE
(to help you go out with joy!)
Words by Fanny Crosby, Music by William J. Kirkpatrick, piano solo arrangement by Molly Ijames
Lamentations 3:58
You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
you have redeemed my life.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
______________________________
American hymn writer Frances "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1915), who wrote more than 8000 hymns and gospel songs, has been featured previously on Notes of Glory as the author of "Blessed Assurance," "Close to Thee," "To God Be The Glory," "Praise Him! Praise Him!." (You can visit any of these links to find out more about the life and legacy of this prolific figure in the history of hymnody).
"Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it" was written by Fanny Crosby in 1882. She once proclaimed it as the hymn that best represented her conversion experience when asked to select one of her many creative works. "Fanny replied, 'I would write many hymns to describe the joy of my salvation. The one that stands out the most to me right now is this one.' She began to sing in her beautiful soprano voice, 'redeemed, how I love to proclaim it.'"
The melody for "Redeemed" was composed by William Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), a prolific American hymnwriter and composer who collaborated with Fanny Crosby on a number of hymn projects including "He Hideth My Soul," and also composed the music for "Tis' so Sweet to Trust in Jesus," "Jesus Saves!," and "Away in a Manger," along with many others.
Our opening hymn, "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" and our closing postlude both feature lyrics focusing on the redemptive power of Christ. May this solo piano arrangement by pianist, composer and arranger Molly Ijames of Fanny Crosby's "Redeemed! How I love to Proclaim it" send you forth into a new week with a renewed joy in your salvation!
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever I am.
Refrain:
Redeemed, redeemed,
redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
no language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
with me doth continually dwell. [Refrain]
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song. [Refrain]
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