HymnPod

Lyrics and Music: Charles J. Butler

I was once far away from the Saviour,
As vile as a sinner could be,
And I wondered if Christ the Redeemer
Could save a poor sinner like me.

I wandered on in the darkness,
Not a ray of light could I see:
And the thought filled my heart with sadness,
There’s no hope for a sinner like me.

And then, in that dark lonely hour,
A voice sweetly whispered to me,
Saying, “Look unto Me! I have power
To save a poor sinner like thee.”

I listened: and lo! ‘Twas the Saviour
That was speaking so kindly to me;
And I cried, “I’m the chief of sinners:
Canst Thou save a poor sinner like me?”

I then fully trusted in Jesus;
And oh, now a joy came to me!
My heart was filled with His praises,
For saving a sinner like me.

No longer in darkness I’m walking,
The light is now shining on me;
And now unto others I’m telling
How He saved a poor sinner like me.

And when life’s journey is over,
And I the dear Saviour shall see,
I’ll praise Him for ever and ever,
For saving a sinner like me!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This hymn has such an interesting Chinese sounding melody. The last stanza has a phrase which is also very interesting – “nor of fitness fondly dream”. What do you think?

Lyrics: Joseph Hart
Music: William Walker

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.

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

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here’s an original chorus that I hope you will like.

Also, do visit WTS Books for great Christian books.

John Sung Choruses (Trans. TOW)

Heaven fills my soul
Since my Lord made me whole
Heaven fills my soul
I’m trusting His precious cleansing blood
I know my Lord Jesus is mighty to save
Heaven fills my soul
Since the Lord made me whole

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’ve rendered 3 stanza of this classic hymn.

Lyrics: A. Katherine Hankey
Music: W. Howard Doane

Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, as to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.

Refrain:
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in,
That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly, with earnest tones and grave;
Remember I’m the sinner whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, if you would really be,
In any time of trouble, a comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story when you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world’s glory is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story: “Christ Jesus makes thee whole.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Read more about Charles Albert Tindley over here.

Also, do visit Dr Paul Ferguson’s blog for lots of great Bible study material.

Lyrics and Music: Charles Albert Tindley

Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
so that his blessed face may be seen;
nothing preventing the least of his favor;
keep the way clear! let nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
habits of life, though harmless they seem,
must not my heart from him ever sever;
he is my all, there’s nothing between.

Nothing between, like pride or station;
self or friends shall not intervene;
though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved, there’s nothing between.

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,
though the whole world against me convene;
watching with prayer and much self denial,
I’ll triumph at last, there’s nothing between.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here’s a charming Sunday school song.

Lyrics and Music: Anonymous

Whisper a prayer in the morning,
Whisper a prayer at noon;
Whisper a prayer in the ev’ning,
To keep your heart in tune.

God answers prayer in the morning,
God answers prayer at noon;
God answers prayer in the ev’ning,
To keep your heart in tune.

Jesus may come in the morning,
Jesus may come at noon;
Jesus may come in the ev’ning,
So keep your heart in tune.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Happy Teacher’s Day! Here’s a little chorus dedicated to all teachers and educators out there.

Lyrics: Tom M. Jones
Music: Traditional

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
O Thou Spirit divine, May I truly be Thine
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

Let my wonderful Saviour be seen in me,
His amazing compassion and constancy;
His great love is my goal, By His Spirit’s control
Till me wonderful Saviour be seen in me.

Let the fruit of the Spirit be seen in me,
Grant me grace all sufficient that I may be
True and faithful each day, Ev’ry step of the way.
Pointing souls to the Saviour on Calvary.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This hymn has a lovely cheerful melody. Nobody would ever guess the tragedy faced by the author. Read more about Luther B. Bridgers over here.

Lyrics and Music: Luther B. Bridgers

There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumb’ring chords again.

Feasting on the riches of His grace,
Resting ’neath His shelt’ring wing,
Always looking on His smiling face,
That is why I shout and sing.

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Soon He’s coming back to welcome me,
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This famous classic hymn was written in the 12th century in France. Later on, it was translated to English and the music was written in the 19th century.

Trying singing this tune to Ps 121 below.

Also, I’d like to share an interesting quote from Tony: “Appreciate the work you’re doing. I’m someone who believes the church should not stop singing the hymns no matter how contemporary we try to be. There was a time when I grieve over the fact that some churches might really stop singing the hymns.”

Lyrics: Bernard of Clairvaux, Trans by Edward Caswall
Music: John B. Dykes

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind!

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize will be;
Jesus be Thou our glory now,
And through eternity.

Psalm 121

I to the hills will lift mine eyes,
from whence doth come mine aid.
My safety cometh from the Lord,
who heav’n and earth hath made.

Thy foot he’ll not let slide, nor will
he slumber that thee keeps.
Behold, he that keeps Israel,
he slumbers not, nor sleeps.

The Lord thee keeps, the Lord thy shade
on thy right hand doth stay:
The moon by night thee shall not smite,
nor yet the sun by day.

The Lord shall keep thy soul; he shall
preserve thee from all ill.
Henceforth thy going out and in
God keep for ever will.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Lyrics: Mary A. Lathbury (v. 1-2), Alexander Groves (v. 3-4)
Music: William F. Sherwin

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!

Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
And I shall find my peace, my all in all.

Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.

O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,
That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:
Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,
And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download