Tag: Hymns

Christians Awake Salute the Happy Morn

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Worshiping the King of Kings this morning in Coventry

It was with great joy we attended Church this happy morn to celebrate the sending into the world of a Saviour – Christ the Lord.

We were treated to an excellent message appropriate for Christmas morning given by Pastor James and were exhorted through all the busyness of the Christmas season to make sure there is room for Jesus. He made comparisons between the pomp and greatness of Herod and a mighty Roman Empire and the silent almost imperceptible coming of the King of Kings. And although it seemed like Mary & Joseph and the birth of Jesus was at the behest of the rulers of the day – the reality is completely the opposite. We as Christians can take great encouragement that although events today may seem to militate against a sovereign God – again nothing could be further from the truth.

Two scriptures that illustrate this is Luke 17:20 ‘And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he (Jesus) answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:’

And Hebrews 2:8 ‘putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him (Jesus). Heb 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

We opened the service with the singing of ‘Christians Awake‘.

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn
Whereon the Saviour of the world was born
Rise to adore the mystery of love
Which hosts of angels chanted from above
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s Son

Then to the watchful shepherds it was told
Who heard the angelic herald’s voice: “Behold,
I bring good tidings of a Saviour’s birth
To you and all the nations upon earth
This day hath God fulfilled His promised word;
This day is born a Saviour, Christ the Lord.”

He spake, and straightaway the celestial choir
In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire
The praises of redeeming love they sang
And heaven’s whole orb with alleluias rang
God’s highest glory was their anthem still
Peace upon earth and unto men goodwill

To Bethlehem straight the shepherds ran
To see the wonder God had wrought for man
And found, with Joseph and the blessed Maid
Her Son, the Saviour, in a manger laid
Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim
The earliest heralds of the Saviour’s name

Let us, like these good shepherds, them employ
Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy
Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss
From His poor manger to His bitter cross
Treading His steps, assisted by His grace
Till man’s first heavenly state again takes place

Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among
To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song
He that was born upon this joyful day
Around us all His glory shall display
Saved by His love, incessant we shall sing
Of angels and of angel-men the King

John Byrom 1691-1763

Wonderful words to praise Jesus.

Happy Christmas to you All.

Baptised into Christ – Death & Resurrection

Not only is it Easter Sunday – Resurrection Day – but we also had two baptisms this morning, one at each service. We stood to sing Jesus Christ Is risen today,  Alleluia! Then followed the first baptism. What a day to be baptised on! Praise God!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once, upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save, Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation hath procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing, Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as His love, Alleluia!
Praise Him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia!

Words: 14th Cen­tu­ry Bo­hem­i­an La­tin car­ol (Sur­rex­it Christ­us ho­die). The first trans­lation appeared in Lyra Da­vid­i­ca, or a Col­lect­ion of Di­vine Songs and Hymns (John Walsh: 1708). Stan­zas 1-3 took their cur­rent form in The Com­pleat Psalm­ist, by John Ar­nold (Lon­don: 1749). Stan­za 4 is by Charles Wes­ley, Hymns and Sac­red Po­ems, 1740, alt.

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There is a Path of Pardon

I take the view – if pushed on the subject – that hymn writing is not what it once was. So often after singing one of the ‘old favourites’ the phrase ‘they don’t write them like that any more’ comes to mind. And for today the following hymn will demonstrate this. The desire to post on ‘Good Friday’ has resulted in a hymn that to be honest I can’t remember, with sadness, when it was last sung. Further, there doesn’t seem to be a desire to sing then either. It’s by William Williams.

Here it is translated by Vernon Higham. To hear it sung go to the WV Higham Trust website.

THERE is a path of pardon 
In His blood;
There is a sure salvation
In His blood.
The law’s full consummation,
A Father’s approbation—
Hear Zion’s acclamation!
In His blood—
Atonement and redemption
In His blood!

O come, ye sons of Adam,
And rejoice!
Now trust the God of Abraham
And rejoice!
O hasten, happy sinner,
To life in Christ for ever,
To bonds that nought can sever:
O rejoice!
In full and glad surrender
Come, rejoice!

William Williams, 1801-76
tr. by William Vernon Higham 1926-

How sad our state by nature is – Reformation21 Blog

How sad our state by nature is – Reformation21 Blog.

Hark! the herald angels sing

Here’s one of THE great Christmas Hymns – ‘Hark! the herald angels sing’ and so should we!. Or if you prefer one of THE great Incarnational Hymns by Charles Wesley (18 December 1707 – 29 March 1788). I’ve included below each stanza the verses from the Bible so we can see just how full of Scripture and theology this Hymn is. It’s no wonder they are great teaching aids. I’m using the King James version of the Bible for its poetic beauty. The actual text of the hymn has many variations so I apologise if the one below is a little different from the particular version you are most familiar with. As we sing this Hymn I trust we will not just admire the skill of the composer, or be lost in familiarity, but be amazed at the incredible condescension of the Lord of Glory as He comes to redeem lost sinners. Late in time behold Him come!

1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild;
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

Stanza. 1 = Luke 2:14, 2 Cor. 5:19

Luke 2:14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

2 Corinthians 5:19 ‘To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.’

2 Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of the Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

Stanza. 2 = Gal. 4:4, John 1:14

Galatians 4:4 ‘But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,’

John 1:14  ‘And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.’

3 Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King.”

Stanza. 3 = Isa. 9:6, Mal. 4:2, Phil. 2:7-8, 1 Pet. 1:3

Isaiah 9:6 ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’

Malachi 4:2 ‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.’

Philippians 2:7 ‘But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:’
Philippians 2:8 ‘And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’

1 Peter 1:3 ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,’

(Thanks to the Hymnary.org web-site for information on the hymn. Specifically HERE.)

Blast from the Past

I suppose Blogging if we’re honest has some element of self-promotion to it. I try to keep it to a minimum but thought the following pictures may amuse or even surprise. The quality is not that brilliant, but anyway have look.

My daughter scanned the first one and called it scary dad. I’d been a Christian for a very short time and some of the girls had some fun with my hair.

The second is from a time (I must have been about 23) when The Lord Jesus was far from my thinking – except as an expletive. You can read a brief account of how Christ rescued me HERE. I actually have very few pictures from this period of my life. This is one of them.

It’s been a fairly circuitous route but my love of music has been revived a bit and I find myself revisiting Soft Machine, Weather Report, Magma & others. Not very keen on soppy Christian stuff I’m afraid. I absolutely love the good old hymns though! (Williams, Watts, Wesley, Gadsby etc)

Free Salvation – at a price!

Salvation is free – but at what a cost!

THERE is a path of pardon
In His blood;
There is a sure salvation
In His blood.
The law’s full consummation,
A Father’s approbation—
Hear Zion’s acclamation!
In His blood—
Atonement and redemption
In His blood!

O come, ye sons of Adam,
And rejoice!
Now trust the God of Abraham
And rejoice!
O hasten, happy sinner,
To life in Christ for ever,
To bonds that nought can sever:
O rejoice!
In full and glad surrender
Come, rejoice!

William Williams, 1801-76
tr. by William Vernon Higham 1926-

See the place, and see the tree

In Eden – sad indeed that day

My countless blessings fled away,

My crown fell in disgrace.

But on victorious Calvary

That crown was won again for me –

My life shall all be praise!

 

Faith, see the place, and see the tree

Where heaven’s Prince, instead of me,

Was nailed to bear my shame.

Bruised was the dragon by the Son,

Through two had wounds, there conquered One –

And JESUS was His Name!

 

[William Williams 1717-91] Music – Tresalem.

Isn’t that just one of the most amazing hymns! (The last line of each verse is repeated)

Christ is Risen – Hallelujah!

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

The Love of God

In the ministry of our Pastor today (see previous post) he gives an account of some words found on the cell wall of an asylum.  The words found were these:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

You say, well the person that wrote that wasn’t mad – and if he or she was, then we need that kind of madness don’t’ we, to explore the love of God.

A quick search via google came up with the following hymn found on Cyber Hymnal (link below).

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Refrain

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Words:  Fred­er­ick M. Leh­man; (1868-1953) he wrote this song in 1917 in Pas­a­de­na, Cal­i­fornia, and it was pub­lished in Songs That Are Dif­fer­ent, Vol­ume 2, 1919. The lyr­ics are based on the Jew­ish poem Had­da­mut, writ­ten in Ara­ma­ic in 1050 by Meir Ben Isaac Ne­hor­ai, a can­tor in Worms, Ger­ma­ny; they have been trans­lat­ed in­to at least 18 lang­uages.

One day, dur­ing short in­ter­vals of in­at­ten­tion to our work, we picked up a scrap of pa­per and, seat­ed up­on an emp­ty le­mon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pen­cil, add­ed the (first) two stan­zas and chor­us of the song…Since the lines (3rd stan­za from the Jew­ish po­em) had been found pencilled on the wall of a pa­tient’s room in an in­sane asy­lum af­ter he had been car­ried to his grave, the gen­er­al opin­ion was that this in­mate had writ­ten the epic in mo­ments of san­ity.

Frederick M. Lehman, “History of the Song, The Love of God,” 1948

Music: Fred­er­ick Leh­man; ar­ranged by his daugh­ter, Clau­dia L. Mays.

Source: Cyber Hymnal