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!)
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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.
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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)
Beside Still Waters
Piano solo by Marta Keen
Psalm 23:1-2
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
HYMNS FOR YOU TO SING AT HOME
Come We Who Love the Lord
Words by Isaac Watts. Music "St Thomas" hymn tune
Nehemiah 12:43
And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
Isaiah 52:9
Burst into songs of joy together,you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.
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.
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We've featured hymns by Isaac Watts (1673-1738), "The Father of English Hymnody," in previous "Notes of Glory" posts (here, here and here). One of his great hymns of praise is "Come We Who Love the Lord." First published in 1707 with the title "Heavenly Joys On Earth," Watts' poem contained ten stanzas: you can see the complete original printed version here. Some of the verses describe worshipful gatherings here on earth, while other verses look forward to rejoicing in heaven.
This hymn is often matched with the tune named "St. Thomas" (shown below) by Welsh teacher, composer, and church musician Aaron Williams (1731-1776). You may recognize "St. Thomas" as the same melody that is often used for the hymn "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord." In 1867, American composer Robert Lowry (1826-1899) created a new melody for "Come Ye That Love the Lord" and also added a refrain inspired by the text of the hymn, "We're Marching to Zion." This practice of adding lively refrains to pre-existing hymns was common in the mid- to late-1800s: for example, another hymn written by Isaac Watts in 1707, "Alas And Did My Savior Bleed" was also augmented over 150 years later with a refrain, "At the Cross," by American composer Ralph Hudson (1843-1901). (Hudson also added the rousing refrain "Blessed Be the Name" to the hymn "All Praise to God Who Reigns Above" by William H. Clark).
Today we'll sing the version without the "Marching to Zion" refrain but you can listen to that version here. Here is a recording of the "Come We Who Love the Lord" matched with the "St. Thomas" tune shown below, with congregational singing, organ and brass. And here is a wonderful article from Christianity Today that delves into the history of this great hymn and suggests that is is definitely time for a revival in its popularity!
Bring Back Isaac Watts's Greatest Hit
Come, we that love the Lord,
and let our joys be known;
join in a song with sweet accord,
and thus surround the throne.
Let those refuse to sing
that never knew our God;
but children of the heav'nly King
may speak their joys abroad.
The men of grace have found
glory begun below;
celestial fruits on earthly ground
from faith and hope may grow.
The hill of Zion yields
a thousand sacred sweets,
before we reach the heav'nly fields
or walk the golden streets.
Then let our songs abound,
and ev'ry tear be dry;
we're marching through Immanuel's ground
to fairer worlds on high.
Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord
Words by Benjamin Mansell Ramsey
Psalm 25:4-5
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 27:11
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm 86:11-12
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
Psalm 27:11
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm 86:11-12
Teach me your way, O Lord,
that I may walk in your truth;
unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify your name forever.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
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A prayer for guidance and instruction and a plea for comfort during trials and loss, "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" was written by British organist, teacher and composer Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849-1923). He taught music at the Bournemouth Grammar School and wrote part-songs, piano pieces, hymns, and carols and also created music theory instructional materials. Very little is known of his life and the circumstances surrounding the composition of this hymn other than the fact that it was composed in 1919, three years after Mansell's retirement from public life, and the same year in which his youngest son, Laurence, died as a result of injuries sustained in WWI. (The hymn tune Ramsey composed for "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" is today referred to "Camacha," and this was the name of the English town where Ramsey's son Laurence lived before joining the British army in 1914). "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" is Ramsey's best-known hymn, and a rare example of a hymn in which both words and tune were composed by the same person.
If this hymn is new to you, here is a recording with congregational singing from the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. And here's a fascinating 1966 recording of "Teach Me Thy Way" by the pioneering British gospel group the Concords.
Teach me thy way, O Lord; teach me thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
lead me with heav’nly light; teach me thy way!
When I am sad at heart, teach me thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
in failure or success, teach me thy way!
When doubts and fears arise, teach me thy way!
When storms o'erspread the skies, teach me thy way!
Shine thro' the cloud and rain, thro' sorrow, toil, and pain;
make thou my pathway plain; teach me thy way!
Long as my life shall last, teach me thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
until the crown is won, teach me thy way!
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Words attributed to Dorothy A Thrupp, Music by William Bradbury
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
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A prayer for guidance and instruction and a plea for comfort during trials and loss, "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" was written by British organist, teacher and composer Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849-1923). He taught music at the Bournemouth Grammar School and wrote part-songs, piano pieces, hymns, and carols and also created music theory instructional materials. Very little is known of his life and the circumstances surrounding the composition of this hymn other than the fact that it was composed in 1919, three years after Mansell's retirement from public life, and the same year in which his youngest son, Laurence, died as a result of injuries sustained in WWI. (The hymn tune Ramsey composed for "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" is today referred to "Camacha," and this was the name of the English town where Ramsey's son Laurence lived before joining the British army in 1914). "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" is Ramsey's best-known hymn, and a rare example of a hymn in which both words and tune were composed by the same person.
If this hymn is new to you, here is a recording with congregational singing from the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. And here's a fascinating 1966 recording of "Teach Me Thy Way" by the pioneering British gospel group the Concords.
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| Public domain. Courtesy of Hymnary.org |
Teach me thy way, O Lord; teach me thy way!
Thy guiding grace afford; teach me thy way!
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
lead me with heav’nly light; teach me thy way!
When I am sad at heart, teach me thy way!
When earthly joys depart, teach me thy way!
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
in failure or success, teach me thy way!
When doubts and fears arise, teach me thy way!
When storms o'erspread the skies, teach me thy way!
Shine thro' the cloud and rain, thro' sorrow, toil, and pain;
make thou my pathway plain; teach me thy way!
Long as my life shall last, teach me thy way!
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me thy way!
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
until the crown is won, teach me thy way!
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Words attributed to Dorothy A Thrupp, Music by William Bradbury
Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
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"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" may have been authored by British translator and hymn writer Dorothy A. Thrupp (1779- 1847) as it appeared in a collection of hymns that she edited and published, titled Hymns for the Young (1830). However, some scholars believe the lyrics were most likely composed by another hymn writer, possibly poet Henry Lyte (1793-1847) who authored "Abide With Me" and "Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven." Regardless of the uncertain authorship of the text, the hymn indisputably relies on Psalm 23 but creatively reframes the words as a direct prayer to God.
The music was written in 1859 by William Bradbury (1816-1868), composer of many hymns and hymn tunes including "Just As I Am," "He Leadeth Me," "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and "Jesus Loves Me." Bradbury also expanded and enhanced the hymn text for "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" first published in Thrupp's Hymns for the Young and originally intended for an audience of children. Bradbury adapted the lyrics to be applicable and meaningful for all ages, while still retaining the clarity and simplicity of the early version.
If this hymn is new to you, you can hear recordings with singing here (Countdown Orchestra and Choir) here (contemporary Christian group 4Him) and here (contemporary Christian singer Janna Potter).
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are.
We are thine, do thou befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear, O hear us when we pray;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse, and power to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to thee;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to thee.
Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast loved us, love us still;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, thou hast loved us, love us still.
POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy)
Praise God in His Sanctuary
Piano solo by Lani Smith
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!
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"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" may have been authored by British translator and hymn writer Dorothy A. Thrupp (1779- 1847) as it appeared in a collection of hymns that she edited and published, titled Hymns for the Young (1830). However, some scholars believe the lyrics were most likely composed by another hymn writer, possibly poet Henry Lyte (1793-1847) who authored "Abide With Me" and "Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven." Regardless of the uncertain authorship of the text, the hymn indisputably relies on Psalm 23 but creatively reframes the words as a direct prayer to God.
The music was written in 1859 by William Bradbury (1816-1868), composer of many hymns and hymn tunes including "Just As I Am," "He Leadeth Me," "Sweet Hour of Prayer" and "Jesus Loves Me." Bradbury also expanded and enhanced the hymn text for "Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us" first published in Thrupp's Hymns for the Young and originally intended for an audience of children. Bradbury adapted the lyrics to be applicable and meaningful for all ages, while still retaining the clarity and simplicity of the early version.
If this hymn is new to you, you can hear recordings with singing here (Countdown Orchestra and Choir) here (contemporary Christian group 4Him) and here (contemporary Christian singer Janna Potter).
 |
| Public domain. Courtesy of hymnary.org |
Savior, like a Shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast bought us, thine we are.
We are thine, do thou befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear, O hear us when we pray;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
hear, O hear us when we pray.
Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse, and power to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to thee;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
early let us turn to thee.
Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
thou hast loved us, love us still;
blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, thou hast loved us, love us still.
POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy)
Praise God in His Sanctuary
Piano solo by Lani Smith
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!
