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This Is My Father’s World

September 20th, 2009

Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in Lockport, New York, enjoyed hiking in an area called “the escarpment”-an ancient upthrust ledge near the city. Heading out on such walks, he often proclaimed that “I am going out to see my Father’s world.” And from his vantage point on the escarpment, he had a beautiful view of God’s creation indeed; from the greens of farms and orchards to the blues of Lake Ontario.

Lyrics: Maltbie D. Babcock
Music: Franklin L. Sheppard

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

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Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (organ)

September 16th, 2009

Here’s a dramatic, military sounding hymn. The music was written by Adam Geibel who was born 15 Sep 2009, 1855. More at http://bit.ly/jwZve

Lyrics: George Duffield
Music: Adam Geibel

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner
It must not suffer loss
From victory unto victory
His army shall He lead
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed

Refrain:
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner
It must not, it must not suffer loss

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
The trumpet call obey
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day
“Ye that are men, now serve Him”
Against unnumbered foes
Let courage rise with danger
And strength to strength oppose

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in His strength alone
The arm of flesh will fail you,
You dare not trust your own
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
The strife will not be long
This day the noise of battle
The next, the victor’s song
To Him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally

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Love, Mercy And Grace

September 13th, 2009

This hymn goes out specially to Cathy. Thanks for introducing me to this marvelous hymn.

Lyrics and Music: C. Austin Miles

Twas Love that gave at greatest cost
A Life, that mine should not be lost
The Love that died in deep despair
My debt fully satisfied there

Refrain:
It was love that took my place
On the cross of Calvary
It was grace, redeeming grace
That paid my ransom full and free
Over sin, without, within,
I have the victory
Thro’ grace, marvellous grace
That lives in me

The Love that freely all forgives
In fullness now within me lives
Thro’ every trial this I see
His grace is sufficient for me

God’s love His mercy and His grace
Combine to raise a fallen race
His hand is ready, ere we call
Held out with forgiveness for all

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Christ Liveth In Me

September 9th, 2009

Here’s another great hymn with lots of imagery. It is based on Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Lyrics: Daniel W. Whittle
Music: James McGranahan

Once far from God and dead in sin,
No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found,
Now Christ liveth in me.

Refrain:
Christ liveth in me,
Christ liveth in me,
Oh! what a salvation this,
That Christ liveth in me.

As rays of light from yonder sun,
The flowers of earth set free,
So life and light and love came forth
From Christ living in me.

As lives the flower within the seed,
As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace,
His Spirit dwelleth in me.

With longing all my heart is filled,
That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell
That Christ liveth in me.

Also, check out the following Hymn Almanac – http://wordwisehymns.wordpress.com

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Holy, Holy, Holy

September 6th, 2009

I’ve been wanting to render this hymn for some time but I felt that the piano wouldn’t do justice to this majestic sounding hymn. So, here is an organ version instead from http://www.smallchurchmusic.com

Reginald Heber was born in Apr 21, 1783 to a minister and his wife in an English village. Heber wrote 57 hymns including this one which is based on Rev 4:8-11.

Lyrics: Reginald Heber
Music: John B. Dykes

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!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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Will Jesus Find Us Watching

September 4th, 2009

This is another classic hymn by Fanny Crosby. Let us remember to watch and be ready for the Lord’s coming. Amen.

Lyrics: Frances J. Crosby
Music: William H. Doane

When Jesus comes to reward His servants,
Whether it be noon or night,
Faithful to Him will He find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

Refrain:
Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

If, at the dawn of the early morning,
He shall call us one by one,
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee, “Well done”?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,
We shall have a glorious rest.

Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?

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Ira Sankey Sings

September 2nd, 2009

Ever wondered how Ira Sankey sounded like? Here’s a sample from his wax cylinder recordings.

http://www.tinfoil.com/vo-scis.htm

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Let The Lower Lights Be Burning

August 29th, 2009

Here’s another familiar favourite from Philip P. Bliss. There is strong imagery used in this gospel hymn.

Lyrics and Music: Philip P. Bliss

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Refrain:
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.

Dark the night of sin has settled,
Loud the angry billows roar;
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.

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Wonderful Words Of Life

August 26th, 2009

This is a classic gospel hymn by Philip P. Bliss. In Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs and Solos, Jn 6:63 is quoted: “..the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

There is also an interesting story from George Stebbins: “I carried that song through two seasons of evangelistic work, never thinking it possessed much merit, or that it had the element of special usefulness, particularly for solo purpos es. It occurred to me to try it one day du ing the campaign in New Haven, [Connecticut, 1878] and, with the help of Mrs. Stebbins, we sang it as a duet. To our surprise the song was received with the greatest enthusiasm and from that time on to the close of the meetings was the favourite of all the hymns used. As an illustration of the hold it got up on the people all about that section of the country, I received a letter from the Secretary of the Connecticut State Sunday School Association offering me what seemed an absurdly large sum of money, if I would, with Mrs. Stebbins, come to the State Convention and sing that one song.”

Lyrics and Music: Philip P. Bliss

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.

May the words of the Lord Jesus speak to us.

There is also very interesting YouTube version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeyzzIGkoOs

Notice how the hymn is deliberately slowed down at the last stanza and refrain.

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My Jesus, I Love Thee

August 23rd, 2009

The lyrics of this hymn were written by Featherson when he was only 16 years old. It is likely that Featherson wrote this hymn to celebrate his conversion to Christ. He sent it to his aunt in California and it was somehow published as an anonymous hymn in a British hymnal in 1864.

Lyrics: William R. Featherson
Music: Adoniram J. Gordon

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

    Jehovah Tsidkenu

    Jehovah Tsidkenu is Hebrew for “The Lord Our Righteousness”. This hymn uses the same tune as “My Jesus I Love Thee”. This version goes out by special request to June.

    Lyrics: Robert M. McCheyne

    I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
    I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
    Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
    Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.

    Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
    I wept when the waters went over His soul;
    Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
    Jehovah Tsidkenu—’twas nothing to me.

    When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
    Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;
    No refuge, no safety in self could I see—
    Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.

    My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
    My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
    To drink at the fountain, life giving and free—
    Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.

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