Saturday, March 31, 2007

Lent: Day 34

Adoramus Te, Christe

Text: anonymous Latin
Various tunes

Adoramus te, Christe,
Et benedicimus tibi,
Quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum,
Qui passus es pro nobis.
Domine, miserere nobis.


English translation:
We adore Thee, O Christ,
And we bless Thee,
Who by the holy cross hast redeemed the world,
Who hast suffered for us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.


(Perhaps the most familiar settings of this text are one by Palestrina, and with a different translation, by Theodore DuBois in the final chorale of The Seven Last Words of Christ.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Lent: Day 33

Out of the Depths I Cry to Thee

Text: Martin Luther, 1523, Eng. tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863
Tune: AUS TIEFER NOT, Martin Luther, 1524

Out of the depths I cry to Thee;
Lord, hear me, I implore Thee!
Bend down Thy gracious ear to me;
I lay my sins before Thee.
If Thou rememberest each misdeed,
If each should have its rightful meed,
Who may abide Thy presence?

Thou grantest pardon through Thy love;
Thy grace alone availeth;
Our works could ne’er our guilt remove;
Yea, e’en the best life faileth.
For none may boast himself of aught,
But must confess Thy grace hath wrought
Whate’er in him is worthy.

And thus my hope is in the Lord,
And not in my own merit;
I rest upon His faithful Word
To them of contrite spirit.
That He is merciful and just,
Here is my comfort and my trust;
His help I wait with patience.

I apologize for missing this morning's post. Thank you for reading and for sharing your comments. --Ps.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Lent: Day 32

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?

Text: St. 1 - Thomas Shepherd, 1693; St. 2 - Unattrib.; St. 3 - George N. Allen, 1844; St. 4-5 - Henry W. Beecher, 1855

Tune: MAITLAND, George N. Allen, 1844

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for everyone,
And there’s a cross for me.

How happy are the saints above,
Who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love,
And joy without a tear.

The consecrated cross I’ll bear
Till death shall set me free;
And then go home my crown to wear,
For there’s a crown for me.

Upon the crystal pavement down
At Jesus’ piercèd feet,
Joyful I’ll cast my golden crown
And His dear Name repeat.

O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
When Christ the Lord from Heav’n comes down
And bears my soul away.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Lent: Day 31

Christ, of All My Hopes the Ground

Text: Ralph Wardlaw, 1817

Tune: HENDON, H. A. Cesar Malan, 1827 or
SONG 13 (GIBBONS), Orlando Gibbons, 1623
(Cyberhymnal link)

Here is another hymn that is not very well-known today. It blessed me this morning, as I pray it does you.

Christ, of all my hopes the Ground;
Christ, the Spring of all my joy;
Still in Thee may I be found,
Still for Thee my powers employ,
Still for Thee my powers employ.

Let Thy love my heart inflame;
Keep Thy fear before my sight;
Be Thy praise my highest aim;
Be Thy smile my chief delight,
Be Thy smile my chief delight.

When affliction clouds my sky,
And the wintry tempests blow,
Let Thy mercy beaming eye
Sweetly cheer the night of woe.
Sweetly cheer the night of woe.

When new triumphs of Thy Name
Swell the raptured songs above,
May I feel a kindred flame,
Full of zeal, and full of love!
Full of zeal, and full of love!

Life’s best joy, to see Thy praise
Fly on wings of Gospel light,
Leading on millennial days,
Scattering all the shades of night!
Scattering all the shades of night!

Fountain of overflowing grace,
Freely from Thy fullness give;
Till I close my earthly race,
May I prove it “Christ to live!”
May I prove it “Christ to live!”

When, with wasting sickness worn,
Sinking to the grave I lie,
Or, by sudden anguish torn,
Startled nature dreads to die,
Startled nature dreads to die.

Jesus, my redeeming Lord,
Be Thou then in mercy near!
Let Thy smile of love afford
Full relief from all my fear,
Full relief from all my fear.

Firmly trusting in Thy blood,
Nothing shall my heart confound;
Safely I shall pass the flood,
Safely reach Emmanuel’s ground,
Safely reach Emmanuel’s ground.

When I touch the blessèd shore,
Back the closing waves shall roll;
Death’s dark stream shall never more
Part from Thee my ravished soul,
Part from Thee my ravished soul.

Thus, O thus, an entrance give
To the land of cloudless sky;
Having known it “Christ to live,”
Let me know it “gain to die,”
Let me know it “gain to die.”

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Lent: Day 30

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

Text: Isaac Watts, 1707
Tune: HAMBURG, Lowell Mason, 1824


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 a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Lent: Day 29

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

Text: Elizabeth Clephane, 1868
Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Frederick C. Maker, 1881

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

Upon that 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.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Fifth Sunday in Lent

"O Love, How Deep"

Text: Unknown 15th c., tr. Benjamin Webb, 1854
Tune: DEO GRACIAS (The Agincourt Song), 1415
(Can be sung to various other LM [long meter, 8.8.8.8] tunes )

O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
It fills the heart with ecstasy,
That God, the Son of God, should take
Our mortal form for mortals’ sake!

He sent no angel to our race
Of higher or of lower place,
But wore the robe of human frame
Himself, and to this lost world came.

For us baptized, for us He bore
His holy fast and hungered sore,
For us temptation sharp He knew;
For us the tempter overthrew.

For us He prayed; for us He taught;
For us His daily works He wrought;
By words and signs and actions thus
Still seeking not Himself, but us.

For us to wicked men betrayed,
Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
He bore the shameful cross and death,
For us gave up His dying breath.

For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here,
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

To Him Whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through His Son,
To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Lent: Day 28

"Refiner's Fire"

Text and music: Brian Doerksen

I appreciate this simple song from the contemporary worship tradition. You can read the full lyrics and listen to it (and buy the Vineyard album) here.


Refiner's Fire, my heart's one desire
Is to be holy, set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be holy...

Friday, March 23, 2007

Lent: Day 27

"Lord, in the Strength of Grace"

Text: Charles Wesley, 1762
Tune: GREENWOOD, Joseph E. Sweetser, 1849

Here is another, little-known Wesley hymn that I especially like:

Lord, in the strength of grace,
With a glad heart and free,
Myself, my residue of days,
I consecrate to Thee.

Thy ransomed servant, I
Restore to Thee Thy own;
And, from this moment, live or die
To serve my God alone.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Lent: Day 26

Grace Greater than Our Sin

Text: Julia H. Johnston, 1911
Tune: MOODY, Daniel B. Towner, 1910

(This hymn is not yet in the public domain. You may read the full text here.)

Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin.



The refrain is what "makes" this hymn, for me. How precious the reminder that no matter the sin, God's grace is more than sufficient!

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Lent: Day 25

"My Faith Looks Up to Thee"

Text: Ray Palmer, 1830
Tune: OLIVET (or MASON), Lowell Mason, 1830

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Lent: Day 24

"Blessed Be Your Name"

Text and Music: Matt Redman

This current worship song favorite is one of the better ones, at least theologically. Musically, it has a more interesting melody than many, and a strong though predictable harmonic structure and beat. People like singing it, I think because it points beyond us and to the Author of life. The message is that, in all of life's circumstances, we praise God's holy name.

You can find the full text of the song here. Here's an excerpt of the text:

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering,
Though there's pain in the offering,
Blessed be your name.

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise;
When the darkness closes in, Lord,
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be your name...

Monday, March 19, 2007

Lent: Day 23

"In the Cross of Christ I Glory

Text: John Bowring, 1825
Tune: RATHBUN, Ithamar B. Conkey, 1849 (most common tune among several)

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o’er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Fourth Sunday in Lent

"My Hope Is Built"

Text: Edward Mote, c. 1834
Tune: SOLID ROCK, William B. Bradbury, 1863 (most common among several tunes)

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Refrain

Saturday, March 17, 2007

A St. Paddy's Day Pun

(ht to Zorra)

While there are still a few minutes left of the day in my time zone, here's a wee chuckle for ye:

T-ShirtHumor.com

Lent: Day 22

"O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee"

Text: Washington Gladden, 1879
Tune: MARYTON, H. Percy Smith, 1874

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.

The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.

Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.

I've included a couple of interior verses that aren't sung anymore, because they spoke to me as someone who participates online. Internet communication emboldens some of us to "taunting Phariseeism" at times, I'm afraid. Good advice on how to look to the Master for help in responding to them and to those who disagree with us, as Christ himself would respond.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Lent: Day 21

Make Me a Captive, Lord

Text: George Matheson, 1890
Tune: DIADEMATA, George J. Elvey, 1868 (most common tune)

Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free.
Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms when by myself I stand;
Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.

My heart is weak and poor until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure, it varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move till Thou has wrought its chain;
Enslave it with Thy matchless love, and deathless it shall reign.

My power is faint and low till I have learned to serve;
It lacks the needed fire to glow, it lacks the breeze to nerve.
It cannot drive the world until itself be driven;
Its flag can only be unfurled when Thou shalt breathe from heaven.

My will is not my own till Thou hast made it Thine;
If it would reach a monarch’s throne, it must its crown resign.
It only stands unbent amid the clashing strife,
When on Thy bosom it has leant, and found in Thee its life.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Lent:: Day 20

Here we are at the halfway point of Lent. I wish you blessings on your journey to Jerusalem with the Savior. I am home for a third straight day with the flu, so perhaps that's why this particular hymn spoke to me so directly today:

"Heal Us, Emmanuel"

Text: William Cowper, 1779
Tune: GRAEFENBERGER, Johann Crueger, 1647

Heal us, Emmanuel, hear our prayer,
We wait to feel Thy touch;
Deep wounded souls to Thee repair,
And Savior, we are such.

Our faith is feeble, we confess
We faintly trust Thy Word;
But wilt Thou pity us the less?
Be that far from Thee, Lord!

Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried;
“O help my unbelief!”

She, too, who touched Thee in the press
And healing virtue stole,
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace;
Thy faith has made thee whole.”

Concealed amid the gathering throng,
She would have shunned Thy view;
And if her faith was firm and strong,
Had strong misgivings too.

Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch Thee if we may;
O send us not despairing home;
Send none unhealed away.


This hymn, like many I've included can be read and MIDI files heard at The Cyberhymnal.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Lent: Day 19

"Take Up Thy Cross"

Text: Charles W. Everest, 1833
Tune: GERMANY, William Gardiner, 1815

“Take up thy cross,” the Savior said,
“If thou wouldst my disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after me.

Take up thy cross, let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
And saved thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
Nor think til death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Lent: Day 18

"We Walk by Faith"

Text: Henry Alford, 1810-1871
Tune: MARTYRDOM, attr. to Hugh Wilson, 1766-1824

1. We walk by faith, and not by sight:
No gracious words we hear
of him who spoke as none e'er spoke,
but we believe him near.

2. We may not touch his hands and side,
nor follow where he trod;
yet in his promise we rejoice,
and cry, "My Lord and God!"

3. Help then, O Lord, our unbelief,
and may our faith abound;
to call on you when you are near.
and seek where you are found:

4. That when our life of faith is done
in realms of clearer light
We may behold you as you are
in full and endless sight.

5. We walk by faith, and not by sight:
No gracious words we hear
of him who spoke as none e'er spoke,
but we believe him near.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Lent: Day 17

"My Life Flows On (How Can I Keep from Singing?)"

Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Tune: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING, Robert Lowry

My life flows on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the clear, though faroff hymn
that hails a new creation.

Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

2. Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing? (Refrain)

3. What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth. (Refrain)

4. 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? (Refrain)

I sometimes think of this as one of the "national anthems" for Christian singers, a kind of sacred "An die musik." I commend it to you.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Third Sunday in Lent

"Guide My Feet"

African-American spiritual

1. Guide my feet while I run this race. (Yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race. (Yes, my Lord!)
Guide my feet while I run this race,
For I don't want to run this race in vain!

2. Hold my hand ...

3. Stand by me ...

4. I'm your child ...

5. Search my heart ...

6. Guide my feet ...


My apologies to those of you who read regularly and have missed the daily posts. I had a difficult wedding to coordinate on Saturday and a regular marathon Sunday, and have been too exhausted and muddled to find blogging time. I'm posting Sunday's, today's, and tomorrow's hymns tonight (Monday).

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Lent: Day 16

"All the Way My Savior Leads Me"

Text: Fanny Crosby
Tune: ALL THE WAY, by Robert Lowry

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

Friday, March 09, 2007

Lent: Day 15

"I Want Jesus to Walk with Me"

African-American Spiritual


I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me

In my trial, Lord, walk with me
In my trials, Lord, walk with me
When the shades of life are falling
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is aching
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me

In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me


The text to this and many other spirituals can be found at negrospirituals.com.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Lent: Day 14

"Arise, My Soul, Arise"

Text: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742

Tune: LENOX, Lewis Edsen, 1782

Here's another largely unfamiliar hymn, finally one from within the "family" of the Methodist movement. Charles Wesley reported amazing numbers of people who received assurance of their salvation while singing this hymn. Leave it to "Daddy Charles" to portray so personal an experience of a difficult concept--the atonement--in a (then) popular hymn!

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.


Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Lent: Day 13

"I Lay My Sins on Jesus"

Text: Horatius Bonar, 1843
Music: Sung to a variety of tunes including MISSIONARY SONG (MASON) and AURELIA

I lay my sins on Jesus,
the spotless Lamb of God;
he bears them all, and frees us
from the accursed load;
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
to wash my crimson stains
white in his blood most precious,
till not a stain remains.

I lay my wants on Jesus;
all fullness dwells in him;
he heals all my diseases,
he doth my soul redeem:
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
my burdens and my cares;
he from them all releases,
he all my sorrows shares.

I rest my soul on Jesus,
this weary soul of mine;
his right hand me embraces,
I on his breast recline.
I love the name of Jesus--
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
like fragrance on the breezes
his name abroad is poured.

I long to be like Jesus,
meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
the Father's holy Child:
I long to be with Jesus,
amid the heavenly throng,
to sing with saints his praises,
to learn the angels' song.


This hymn is sometimes on the "hit list" of those who accuse women of "feminizing" the church. They seem to think that a "manly man" wouldn't be caught dead resting in Jesus and seeking to emulate his meekness, lowliness, mildness, and love (see final verse). As I read it, we strong, self-sufficient humans must become like little children, climbing into Jesus' lap at his invitation; what little child is reluctant to snuggle trustingly into the embrace of a beloved adult? I'm sorry for the people who have such a worldly view of masculinity, that this hymn says nothing to them. It is speaking to them, of course; it's only that their ears are closed to its message. To the rest of my readers, I commend it to you. It's not a perfect hymn, no. I don't know if I've ever read or sung a perfect hymn. I'm content to let heaven hold that unique joy. Meanwhile, there's much to commend "I Lay My Sins on Jesus."

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Lent: Day 12

"Jesu, Jesu"

Text: Thomas Colvin, 1969
Tune: CHEREBONI, folk song from Ghana, arranged 1969 by Thomas Colvin; harmonized 1988 by Charles Webb.
(Link here for The Cyberhymnal's entry for this copyrighted hymn.)

One of the challenges during the "preparatory/penitential" seasons of Lent and Advent is allowing ourselves to become too introspective, especially those of us who are introverted by nature. This hymn always reminds me that our focus should be the Lord Jesus, and if we claim to be his disciples, just what is entailed in following him. Here is the refrain and one verse of the hymn:

Refrain:
Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love,
Show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.

Loving puts us on our knees,
Serving as though we are slaves;
This is the way we should live with you. (Refrain)

Monday, March 05, 2007

Lent: Day 11

"Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy"

I've always liked this old American hymn, particularly sung to RESTORATION, with its minor modality and stark harmonies. It reminds me that, when all is said and done, my only hope as a sinner is the mercy of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Text: Joseph Hart, Hymns Composed on Various Subjects, 1759, alt.; re­frain anon­y­mous.
Tune: RESTORATION, from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, by Wil­liam Walk­er (New York: Hast­ings House, 183
5).

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain: I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Refrain

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

Refrain


Sunday, March 04, 2007

Second Sunday in Lent

"O Jesus, I Have Promised"

Text: John E. Bode, 1868
Music: Tune ANGEL'S STORY, Arthur H. Mann, 1861

For full text and this and alternate tune MIDIs, click here.

O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

I also like the final verse that is generally omitted from hymnals:

O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.


Saturday, March 03, 2007

Lent: Day 10

Shepherd Me, O God

Text and Music by Marty Haugen, paraphrasing Psalm 23

What would Lent be without at least one reflection on Psalm 23? One of the most profound settings of this psalm, for me, is Haugen's "Shepherd Me, O God." It is written, as many of Haugen's GIA settings are, in a cantor verse/congregation refrain pattern. The refrain goes:

"Shepherd me, O God,
Beyond my wants,
Beyond my fears,
From death into life."

The "bridge" verse goes like this:

"You have set me a banquet of love
In the midst of hatred,
Crowning me with love
Beyond my pow'r to hold."

You can listen to "Shepherd Me, O God", and purchase it in MP3 format, here.

If you're unfamiliar with the GIA liturgical music tradition, I encourage you to do some reading of their many fine examples of scripture-made-song. Though Haugen's is one of the "biggest" names in this tradition, he's by no means the only one. An entire generation of Catholics and other Christians (who are open to ecumenical use of these fine resources) have experienced the Scripturesin a new, approachable way, thanks to GIA's publishing of these composers' and hymnists' creations. It's probably the most effective modern phenomenon in the psalm-singing tradition.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Lent: Day 9

Give Me Jesus
Text and Music: Traditional African-American Spiritual

Oh when I come to die
Oh when I come to die
Oh when I come to die
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
I heard my mother say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Dark midnight was my cry
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus

I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
I heard the mourner say
Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You may have the world
Give me Jesus


Texts to this spiritual, as well as many others, may be found Negrospirituals.com.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Lent: Day 8

Lamb of God

Music and Text: Twila Paris (from the Kingdom Seekers album)

This is one of those remarkable songs that I wish everyone could hear and know. I'll be singing it this Sunday. Here is the second verse:

Your only Son, no sin to hide,
But you have sent him from Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God.


The refrain is a prayer that I might be washed in "his precious blood, my Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God." And in the final verse, there is a sense of wonder that despite my lostness, the Lamb-also-Shepherd calls me to his side to be called "a lamb of God."

Whatever else we may presume to be, the fact is, we're all simply lambs in the flock of God's perfect Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world.

Misere nobis.

Note: Twila Paris doesn't have "freebies" available for either the recordings or the texts, so I don't have a link where you can see the full text for "Lamb of God." If you're interested in purchasing it, it appears you need to buy an album. While this song is available on several different albums, I'd recommend A Heart That Knows You, which can be ordered through her official website here.