Hymn of the Week: The King of Love

Sometimes the only way to move my children from wakefulness to sleeping is singing hymns and Scripture songs.  I sang for about 30 minutes last night while folding laundry.  The girls stopped talking and arguing in bed while the older kids just did their thing.  It was peaceful and worshipful.  I thank God for the years I sang in the Concordia Choir, the years of worshipping in church, and the hundreds of songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that have been infused into my soul.  Here is one of them inspired by Psalm 23.

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
By: Henry W. Baker

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me

And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spredst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.

Hymn of the Week: All Your Works Are Good

All Your Works Are Good (Psalm 104) by Sandra McCracken

Here is a modern hymn for y'all:

All Your Works Are Good
Written by Sandra McCracken, Jill Phillips and Julie Lee

The moon it marks the seasons The sun knows when to go down The ocean holds its creatures The river knows its bounds
The birds, the trees, the cattle And all things great and small We find our place in creation Your hand sustains it all
Chorus
All your works are good
All your works are good
From everlasting, to everlasting All your works are good

He makes the clouds his chariot He wraps himself in light
He stretches out the heavens, like a tent across the sky
He knows our every burden When darkness veils our eyes He comes with spring returning, Bringing death to life (Chorus)
As we labor until evening There’s a message on the wind Be still and know your maker Be satisfied in Him (Chorus) 

© 2015 Drink Your Tea (ASCAP) / Sill House Road Music (SESAC) / The Gullahorns Music (ASCAP)

Hymn of the Week

There Is A Fountain

by William Cowper, 1772

Read and Listen to Cowper's biography by John Piper here. (via Desiring God)

Sung by Selah link above.

1. There is a fountain filled with blood,
   Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
   And sinners plunged beneath that flood
   Lose all their guilty stains.
2. The dying thief rejoiced to see
   That fountain in His day;
   And there have I, though vile as he,
   Washed all my sins away.
3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
   Shall never lose its pow’r,
   Till all the ransomed church of God
   Are safe, to sin no more.
4. E’er since by faith I saw the stream
   Thy flowing wounds supply,
   Redeeming love has been my theme,
   And shall be till I die.
5. When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue
   Lies silent in the grave,
   Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
   I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

Hosanna! The Lamb of God has Come

HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA
hymn by Jennette Threlfall, 1873
to the tune of Ellacombe (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)

1.     Hosanna, loud hosanna, 
 the little children sang, 
 through pillared court and temple 
 the lovely anthem rang. 
 To Jesus, who had blessed them 
 close folded to his breast, 
 the children sang their praises, 
 the simplest and the best. 

2. From Olivet they followed 
 mid an exultant crowd, 
 the victor palm branch waving, 
 and chanting clear and loud. 
 The Lord of earth and heaven 
 rode on in lowly state, 
 nor scorned that little children 
 should on his bidding wait. 

3. "Hosanna in the highest!" 
 that ancient song we sing, 
 for Christ is our Redeemer, 
 the Lord of heaven our King. 
 O may we ever praise him 
 with heart and life and voice, 
 and in his blissful presence 
 eternally rejoice!

St. Patrick's Hymn of the Week from the 5th Century

I Bind Unto Myself Today
words: Patrick of Ireland

I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
I bind this day to me for ever,
by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in Jordan river;
his death on cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spicèd tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors' faith, apostles' word,
the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven
the glorious sun's life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken, to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.

Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort
and restore me.
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of
all that love me,
Christ in mouth of
friend and stranger.


I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Surely Christ is exalted and our hearts rejoice with the words of this hymn. I had not heard of it until I found it in my hymnal last year.  What a resolution from an amazing missionary for Christ.

Hymn of the Week: My Favorite from Junior High

The Solid Rock

Sung by Benny Hester

This song inspired my older sister and me so much that we performed it in church as teenagers with one of our youth leaders, Melanie, accompanying us on guitar.  My sis had this hymn in her wedding.  In moments of despairing self-introspection and guilt, The SOLID Rock words flood my mind and heart with HOPE.  When legalism rears its ugly head, these words reveal the only hope we have, Christ Jesus, our all-sufficiency.  My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

The Solid Rock, words by Edward Mote, 1834

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Hymn of the Week

Since watching a documentary on Joni Eareckson Tada on Day of Discovery by RBC Ministries, I have been captivated by the hymn, Man of Sorrows.  Mrs. Tada is a Christian who became paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident in the Chesapeake Bay while only a teenager.  She has spent her life ministering to people who suffer, especially those with disabilities.  She has many talents including singing, drawing with her mouth, speaking, and writing books.  Mrs. Tada told a story about how a friend helped her while she was suffering by singing this hymn.

One night my high school friend Jackie, with whom I shared boyfriends, milkshakes, and hockey sticks, came into the hospital late one night, like 2 in the morning, past visiting hours. The nurses were on break. No one was in the hallway. She crept up the steps of the hospital, snuck in the back way, came into my six-bed ward. I was with five other spinal-cord-injured girls who were all asleep. My friend came sneaking into the room, crawling on her hands and knees. She came over to my bed, stood up slowly, and lowered the guard rail of the hospital bed. Just like high schoolers will do on pajama sleepovers, she climbed into bed next to me, snuggled real close, and softly began to sing: “Man of sorrows, what a name. For the Son of God who came, ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah, what a Savior.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada, World Magazine interview by Marvin Olasky, Jan. 12, 2013

Last year I taught the Sunday School kids this hymn that they sang for Easter Sunday. It tells us the story of Jesus Christ who died and rose again to save us from the penalty for our sins through faith in Him.  Here are the words:

Man of Sorrows

words by Philip P. Bliss, 1875

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Guilty, helpless, lost were we;
blameless Lamb of God was he,
sacrificed to set us free:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

He was lifted up to die;
"It is finished" was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious King,
all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior! 

Sung by Joni Eareckson Tada

Hymn of the Week

How Can I Keep From Singing
author: unknown, attr. to Robert Lowry
Arranged by: Matthew Culloton

I cannot wait to hear the Singers tomorrow night at House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul! Matthew Culloton is the director, an acquaintance of mine from The Concordia Choir days.  We sang together in choir for a couple of years.  He and his brother Michael are both professional choral directors in the Lutheran Choir tradition.  The music tomorrow night will be performed in honor of composer and director, Rene Clausen, our conductor from The Concordia Choir.

Ethan and I heard this song on Minnesota Public Radio a few months ago, arranged by Culloton.  It brought shivers to my skin and tears to my eyes.  The words are powerful! God is so awesome and powerful.  Jesus is risen from the dead.  

...No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that rock I cling, Since Christ is Lord of Heaven and Earth, How can I keep from singing?

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?

Hymn of the Week

Jesus, Lover of My Soul
words: Charles Wesley, 1740

1. Jesus, lover of my soul,
   Let me to Thy bosom fly,
   While the nearer waters roll,
   While the tempest still is high.
   Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
   Till the storm of life is past;
   Safe into the haven guide;
   Oh, receive my soul at last.
2. Other refuge have I none,
   Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
   Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
   Still support and comfort me.
   All my trust on Thee is stayed,
   All my help from Thee I bring;
   Cover my defenseless head
   With the shadow of Thy wing.
3. Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
   More than all in Thee I find;
   Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
   Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
   Just and holy is Thy Name,
   Source of all true righteousness;
   Thou art evermore the same,
   Thou art full of truth and grace.
4. Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
   Grace to cover all my sin;
   Let the healing streams abound;
   Make and keep me pure within.
   Thou of life the fountain art,
   Freely let me take of Thee;
   Spring Thou up within my heart;
   Rise to all eternity.
5. Here are two versions of these beautiful words:
6. Jesus, Lover of My Soul new melody by Elysia
7. Jesus, Lover of My Soul sung by Fernando Ortega

Hymn of the Week

This hymn came up in conversation with friends who are grieving the loss of a loved one this past week.  Other family and friends are experiencing trials of various kinds.   Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! Psalm 146:1 Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It Is Well With My Soul

Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873
Music: Philip Bliss

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well with my soul,
     It is well, it is well with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

The Concordia Choirs and Orchestra at a Christmas rehearsal singing "It is Well"