Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage. Psalm 119:54 (NLT 1996)
"... the music of my life." This translation struck me as my experience exactly – God's principles in song have been the music of my life "throughout the years of my pilgrimage." As a child, the first sermons I understood were the lyrics of great hymns. I was a member of the children's choir at the Methodist Church for all my growing-up years until I graduated from high school. So, the words of great hymn writers like Charles and John Wesley, great poets like Isaac Watts and William Cowper have made deep grooves in my soul. What cup-overflowing blessing!
I loved The Methodist Hymnal.1 It was a wellspring, a treasure trove. Life and love poured out in the mystery of the words. Even before I could read the words, the Hymnal was my journal, my sketchpad. (I'm sure I probably scribbled in it at a service, and they gave it to us to take home). I am blessed to still have it after all these years. I'll share some of my "entries" with you.
I loved experiencing the Presence of God as we sang. I stood, entranced, many times listening as my voice joined the angelic harmonies and the majestic organ pipes filling and echoing in the sanctuary. With the words of the hymns, I learned to worship:
"Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity." -- Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
"Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day!" -- Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), Arr. from Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827)
"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!
O praise Him, O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!" -- St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), Tr. by William H. Draper (1855-1933)
It was in the words of the Hymnal that I first learned of Christ's coming as a babe on Christmas and his life and mission:
"Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart." -- Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
I learned of Jesus' suffering and passion on the Cross, and his blood shed for me:
"O Love divine, what hast thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's co-eternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree." -- Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
"There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel's veins;
And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,
Lose all their guilty stains." -- William Cowper (1731-1800)
"Upon the cross of Jesus
mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One
who suffered there for me:
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess,
the wonders of redeeming love
and my unworthiness." -- Elizabeth C. Clephane (1830-1869)
And finally, I rejoiced along with the thundering pipe organ at His resurrection:
"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!" -- Charles Wesley (1707-1788), from Lyra Davidica (1708)
But mostly I was drawn to the words that burned with a familiar passion. Mere mortals trying to express the inexpressible, what could not be contained in poetry, words that could never match the matchless love of the Savior.
"O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! ...
He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me." -- Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
And then there is this hymn, my all-time favorite, which to me will always deserve an eternal "wow!" Here is a link to my favorite interpretation of it by Iona (lyrics start at 1:38).
"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God:
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down:
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all." -- Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Yes, Lord! "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
"Sometimes a light surprises
the Christian while he sings;
it is the Lord who rises
with healing in His wings."
-- William Cowper (1731-1800)
You have taught children and babies to sing praises to you. Psalm 8:2 (International Children's Bible)
1 The Methodist Hymnal. The Methodist Publishing House. 1939.
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