CC -- What is the most powerful, awe-inspiring hymn you know?

[Rebecca VA]

We sing incredible hymns at our church every week, and some are so awesome that I post the lyrics up around the house. My very favorite is "At the Name of Jesus." Seven stanzas of pure beauty, like this:

 

At his voice creation

Sprang at once to sight,

All the angels' faces

All the hosts of light,

Thrones and dominations,

Stars upon their way,

All the heavenly orders,

In their great array.

 

I can hardly sing this hymn without bursting into tears.

 

So what is your favorite hymn? Why do you like it?

Edited August 25, 2009 by Rebecca VA
corrected a word in the lyrics; added text

[phathui5]

I love "Come thou font of every Blessing"

 

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

 

Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,

Till released from flesh and sin,

Yet from what I do inherit,

Here Thy praises I’ll begin;

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here by Thy great help I’ve come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

 

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood;

How His kindness yet pursues me

Mortal tongue can never tell,

Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me

I cannot proclaim it well.

 

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

 

O that day when freed from sinning,

I shall see Thy lovely face;

Clothed then in blood washed linen

How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;

Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,

Take my ransomed soul away;

Send thine angels now to carry

Me to realms of endless day.

[Blueridge]

I don't have much time just now to post the words, but "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" is my all-time favorite hymn. I have a recording of a huge choir singing it in a large cathedral. Just amazing!

[MyThreeSons]

by Getty and Townsend. I cannot sing or hear it without tears. Very powerful!!

 

the final chorus:

 

This, the pow’r of the cross:

Son of God—slain for us.

What a love! What a cost!

We stand forgiven at the cross.

[MeaganS]

I love "Come thou font of every Blessing"

 

 

This is what I was going to say too! I love that hymn!

[DawnM]

1. Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

 

2. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

 

3. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.

Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

 

4. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

 

 

5. High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

[Mary in VA]

I agree with the posters above on "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and I also love "Be Thou My Vision."

 

But one of my favorites that isn't sung very often is "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus"

 

O the deep,deep love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me.

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of thy love;

Leading onward, leading homeward,

To my glorious rest above,

 

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Spread his praise from shore to shore!

How he loveth, ever loveth,

Changeth never, never more.

How he watches o'er his loved ones,

Died to call them all his own;

How for them he intercedeth,

Watcheth o'er them from the throne!

 

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Love of ev'ry love the best!

'Tis an ocean vast of blessing,

"Tis a haven sweet of rest.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

"Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

For it lifts me up to thee.

 

 

ETS: DawnM you were adding "Be Thou My Vision" while I typed this! I love that hymn.

[Janna]

The lyrics are wonderful, yes. But this is the most powerful to me because of the circumstances in which it was written. Here's a brief synopsis:

 

This hymn was written after two major traumas in Spafford’s life. The first was the great Chicago Fire of October 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a wealthy businessman). Shortly after, while crossing the Atlantic, all four of Spafford’s daughters died in a collision with another ship. Spafford’s wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone.” Several weeks lat*er, as Spafford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daughters died, the Holy Spirit inspired these words. They speak to the eternal hope that all believers have, no matter what pain and grief befall them on earth.

 

It is Well with My Soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,

The sky, not the grave, is our goal;

Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!

Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain

[Remudamom]

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

 

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Hymn #651

[anotherclassicmom]

I have so many that I love. Here is the one that I have been singing in my heart this week.

 

Higher Ground

I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.â€

 

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

 

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

 

I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

 

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.â€

[Janna]

I sang this to my ds when he was in utero (he's 15 mos now), and he still relaxes when I sing it to him to this day. But, it's really helped my other ds (7) because he is so afraid of storms. When my older dd has a look of anxiety for some reason or another, I'll remind her of this. It is of great comfort to them (and me).

God Will Take Care of You

~ Civilla D. Martin, 1869-1948

 

 

Stanza 1:

Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

 

 

Chorus:

 

God will take care of you,

Thru ev'ry day, O'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

 

 

Stanza 2:

 

Thru days of toil when heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.

 

 

Chorus:

 

 

Stanza 3:

 

All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you;

Nothing you ask will be denied,

God will take care of you.

 

 

Chorus:

 

 

Stanza 4:

 

No matter what may be the test,

God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast,

God will take care of you.

[4kiddies]

My absolute favorite is How great thou art with Amazing Grace being a close second.

[OnTheBrink]

My favorites have been posted already:

 

The Deep Deep Love of Jesus

Be Thou My Vision

Great is Thy Faithfulness

[*********]

Oh, Victory in Jesus!

 

The chorus is just so great! I love to sing this song...

 

 

I heard an old, old story,

How a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning,

Of His precious blood's atoning,

Then I repented of my sins

And won the victory.

 

 

• Chorus
  O victory in Jesus,
  My Savior, forever.
  He sought me and bought me
  With His redeeming blood;
  He loved me ere I knew Him
  And all my love is due Him,
  He plunged me to victory,
  Beneath the cleansing flood.
  

 

I heard about His healing,

Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.

How He made the lame to walk again

And caused the blind to see;

And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,

Come and heal my broken spirit,"

And somehow Jesus came and bro't

To me the victory.

 

• Chorus
  O victory in Jesus,
  My Savior, forever.
  He sought me and bought me
  With His redeeming blood;
  He loved me ere I knew Him
  And all my love is due Him,
  He plunged me to victory,
  Beneath the cleansing flood.
  

 

I heard about a mansion

He has built for me in glory.

And I heard about the streets of gold

Beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing,

And the old redemption story,

And some sweet day I'll sing up there

The song of victory.

 

• Chorus
  O victory in Jesus,
  My Savior, forever.
  He sought me and bought me
  With His redeeming blood;
  He loved me ere I knew Him
  And all my love is due Him,
  He plunged me to victory,
  Beneath the cleansing flood.
  

 

[BigMamaBird]

The following hymn, but also "How Great Thou Art" and "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."

 

1. 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.

 

2. 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.

 

3. 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:

why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let the earth be glad!

[MariannNOVA]

Don't know the exact words in the title, but I refer to it as "On Eagle's Wings" -- I have a CD of Michael Crawford singing it, and it was the 'signature' song for the services held when my dad passed away - coincidentally, 17 years ago today.

 

Link to words: http://www.mamarocks.com/on_eagles_wings.htm

 

Link to Michael Crawford singing this song: http://www.rhapsody.com/michael-crawford/on-eagles-wings

 

And, Max McLean, http://www.fpatheatre.com/, (he and his wife were close family friends at the time), did a dramatic reading of a defining piece of poetry for my dad, I WILL NOT GO GENTLY INTO THAT GREAT NIGHT, http://www.bigeye.com/donotgo.htm

Edited August 25, 2009 by MariannNOVA

[SonshineLearner]

I've thought of singing a Hymn each week in our Opening for Classical Conversations. I'm not sure if we'll do it, but I love the thought of Theologically Correct Hymns being passed down to my children:-)

 

Carrie:-)

[Loupelou]

Oh, I love "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" as well. We don't have it in our hymnal but the version I love the best I found in an old Nazarene hymnal, it only has three verses.

 

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of God's redeeming love.

 

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Hither by Thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood;

 

O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy Grace now, like a fetter,

Bind my yielding heart to Thee.

Let me know Thee in Thy fullness

Guide me by Thy mighty hand

Til transformed in Thine own image

In Thy presence I shall stand.

 

I also love "How Great Thou Art", we sang that at my brother's funeral.

 

"Be Still My Soul" was also mentioned.

 

Being LDS, one of my all time favorites is "How Firm a Foundation", all 7 verses of course.:D

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=23968ceb1ec20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=a9832ce2b446c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

[Pip]

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

[Orthodox6]

The Paschal Hymn, of course !

 

Christ is risen from the dead,

Trampling down death by death,

And upon those in the tombs,

Bestowing life !

 

Although sung independently constantly during the days following Pascha ("Easter"), this hymn figures prominently in the triumphal Paschal Canon. (The Canon is my "vote" in answer to the original question.):

 

 

The Paschal Canon Song 1

 

Eirmos: It is the Day of Resurrection! Let us be radiant, O people! Pascha! The Lord's Pascha! For Christ our God has brought us from death to life, and from earth unto heaven, as we sing triumphant hymns!

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead. (before each troparion).

 

 

Let us purify our senses and we shall behold Christ, radiant with inaccessible light of the Resurrection, and shall hear Him saying clearly, "Rejoice!" As we sing the triumphant hymns!

Let heavens rejoice in a worthy manner, the earth be glad, and the whole world, visible and the invisible, keep the Feast. For Christ our eternal joy has risen!

 

 

Katabasia: It is the Day of Resurrection!…

Song 3

 

Eirmos: Come, let us drink a new beverage, not miraculously drawn from a barren rock, but the fountain of Incorruption springing from the tomb of Christ in Whom we are established.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

Now all things are filled with light: heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions. So let all creation celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, whereby it is established.

Yesterday, O Christ, I was buried with Thee, and today I arise with thy arising. Yesterday I was crucified with Thee. Glorify me, O Savior, with Thee in Thy Kingdom.

 

 

Katabasia: Come, let us drink…

 

 

Hypakoe: When at dawn, the women with Mary came and found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher, they heard from the angel: Why seek among the dead (as if He were a mortal man) Him Who lives in everlasting light? Behold the grave-clothes. Run and tell the world that the Lord is risen, and has slain death. For He is the Son of God Who saves mankind.

Song 4

 

Eirmos: May the divinely speaking Abbacum now stand watch with us, and show forth a shining Angel saying resoundingly: Today salvation has come to the world; for Christ is risen as Almighty.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

Christ revealed Himself as of the male sex when He opened the Virgin's womb, and as a mortal He is called the Lamb. Thus without blemish also, is our Pascha, for He tasted no corruption, and, since He is truly God, He was proclaimed perfect.

 

 

Christ, our blessed Crown, like a yearling Lamb, of His own good will sacrificed Himself for all, a Pascha of purification, and as the glorious Sun of Righteousness, He has shone upon us again from the grave.

David, the forefather of our divine Lord, leapt and danced before the symbolical Ark of the Covenant. Let us also, the holy people of God, beholding the fulfillment of the symbols, be divinely glad; for Christ has risen as Almighty.

 

 

Katabasia: May divinely speaking Abbacum …

Song 5

 

Eirmos: Let us arise in the deep dawn and, instead of myrrh, offer a hymn to the Lord, and we shall behold Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, Who causes life to dawn for all.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

When they who were held by the chains of hell beheld Thy boundless compassion, O Christ, they hastened to the light with joyful feet, exalting the eternal Pascha.

Bearing lights, let us meet Christ, Who comes forth from the tomb like a bridegroom. And with the ranks of joyfully celebrating Angels, let us celebrate the redeeming Pascha of God.

 

 

Katabasia: Let us arise…

Song 6

 

Eirmos: Thou did descend into the nether regions of earth, O Christ, and did shatter the eternal bars which held the prisoners captive; and like Jonah from the sea-monster, after three days Thou did rise from the grave.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

Having kept the seals intact, Thou did rise from the grave, O Christ, Who did not violate the Virgin's womb by Thy birth, and Thou hast opened to us the gates of Paradise.

O my Savior, while as God Thou did voluntarily offer Thyself to the Father as an unslain and living sacrifice, Thou did raise up with Thyself the whole race of Adam, when Thou did rise from the grave.

 

 

Katabasia: Thou did descend…

 

 

Kontakion: Though Thou did descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet did Thou destroy the power of hell, and did rise again as a conqueror, O Christ our Lord, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, rejoice! And giving peace to Thine Apostles, and offering Resurrection to the fallen.

 

 

Eikos: The myrrh-bearing maidens anticipated the dawn and sought, as those who seek the day, their Sun, Who was before the sun and Who had once sat in the grave. And they cried to each other: Friends, come, let us anoint with spices His life-giving and buried body — the Flesh Who raised up fallen Adam, and Who now lies in the tomb. Let us go, let us hasten, and like the Magi, let us worship; and let us bring myrrh as a gift to Him, Who is wrapped, not now in swaddling clothes, but in a shroud. And let us weep and cry: Arise, O Lord, Who offers Resurrection to the fallen.

Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us adore the Holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless One. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and Thy Holy Resurrection we praise and glorify; for Thou art our God, and we know no other than Thee; we call upon Thy name. O come all you faithful, let us worship Christ's holy Resurrection. For behold, through the Cross joy has come to all the world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection. By enduring the Cross for us He destroyed death by death. (Thrice)

 

 

Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has given us eternal life and great mercy. (Thrice)

Song 7

 

Eirmos: He Who delivered the children from the furnace, and became man and suffered as a mortal, through His suffering, He clothes mortality with the grace of incorruption, He is the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

The godly wise women came to Thee with myrrh. But Him Whom they sought with tears as dead, they joyfully adored as the living God. And they told to Thy disciples, O Christ, the glad tidings of the mystical Pascha.

 

 

We celebrate the death of death, the destruction of hell, the beginning of eternal life. And leaping for joy, we celebrate the Cause, the only blessed and most glorious God of our fathers.

For a truly holy and a supreme feast is this saving night radiant with Light, the harbinger of the bright day of Resurrection, on which the Eternal Light shone bodily from the grave upon all.

 

 

Katabasia: He Who delivered…

Song 8

 

Eirmos: This is the chosen and Holy Day, the first of Sabbaths, the Sovereign and Queen, the Feast of Feasts, and Triumph of Triumphs, on which let us bless Christ forever.

 

 

Refrain: Christ is risen from the dead.

 

 

O come, let us partake of the fruit of the new vine of divine joy on the auspicious Day of the Resurrection and Kingdom of Christ, praising Him as God forever.

Cast thine eyes about thee, O Zion, and behold! For lo! Thy children have assembled unto thee from the West and from the North and from the South and from the East, as divinely radiant luminaries, Blessing Christ unto the ages.

 

 

Refrain: O Most Holy Trinity, our God, glory to Thee.

 

 

Father, Almighty, the Word, and the Spirit, one Nature in three Persons united, transcending essence supremely Divine! In Thee we have been baptized, and Thee will bless us throughout all ages.

 

 

Katabasia: This is the chosen…

Song 9

 

Refrain 1: Magnify, O my soul, Him Whom suffered willingly and was buried and rose from the grave on the third day.

 

 

Eirmos: Shine, shine, O New Jerusalem, for the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee. Now dance for joy and be glad, O Zion! And thou, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the rising of Him Whom thou didst bear.

 

 

Refrain 2: Magnify, O my soul, Christ the life-giver, Who rose from the grave on the third day.

 

 

Again: Shine, shine…

 

 

Refrain 3: Christ is the New Pascha, the living sacrificial Victim, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.

 

 

Troparion: O divine, O dear, O sweetest Voice! For Thou, O Christ, hast faithfully promised to be with us to the end of the world. And holding fast this promise as an anchor of hope, we the faithful rejoice.

Refrain 4: The Angel cried to her who is full of grace: Rejoice, pure Virgin! And again I say, Rejoice! Thy Son has risen on the third day from the grave, and has raised the dead. Rejoice, you people!

Again: O divine, O dear…

 

 

Refrain 5: Roaring royally, as the Lion of Judas, Thou hast slept, and Thou hast awakened the dead of all past ages.

 

 

Again: O divine, O dear…

 

 

Refrain 6: Mary Magdalene ran to the sepulchre, and she saw Christ, and spoke to Him as to the gardener.

 

 

Troparion: O great and holiest Pascha, Christ! O Wisdom, Word and Power of God! Grant that we may more perfectly partake of Thee in the unending Day of Thy Kingdom.

 

 

Refrain 7: The radiant Angel cried to the women: Stop your tears, for Christ has risen.

 

 

Refrain 8: You people, rejoice, for Christ has risen, trampling down death and raising the dead.

 

 

Refrain 9: Today all creation is glad and rejoices, for Christ has risen and hell has been conquered.

 

 

Refrain 10: Today the Master conquered hell and raised the prisoners from all the ages which it had held in bitter bondage.

 

 

Refrain 11: Magnify, O my soul, the might of the Tri-Personed and Undivided Godhead.

 

 

Refrain 12: Rejoice, O Virgin, rejoice! Rejoice, O blessed one! Rejoice, O glorious one! For thy Son has risen from the grave on the third day.

 

 

Katabasia: Shine, shine…

Edited August 25, 2009 by Orthodox6

[jubulibee]

I love the song "And Can it Be?" Words by Charles Wesley, music by Thomas Campbell

 

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

Still the small inward voice I hear,

That whispers all my sins forgiven;

Still the atoning blood is near,

That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

 

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

[mrsrevmeg]

So many great hymns have already been posted! My very favorite is Before The Throne of God Above:

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea.

A great high Priest whose Name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart.

I know that while in Heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

 

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free.

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me.

 

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,

My perfect spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace,

One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God!

 

In Christ Alone is a close second!!

[ncmomo3]

I have to second "It is Well with My Soul".

It reduces me to a blubbering mass.

[TXMomof4]

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

 

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Hymn #651

 

AMEN! This is the one that I've always loved. Now if I can just remember to think on it when I'm stressed out and tired.

[Erica in PA]

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

 

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Hymn #651

 

I remember so vividly singing this hymn in church soon after we had lost a pregnancy, and it spoke to me so strongly. The message of hope in the Lord, in the midst of pain and loss, is so pure and so inspiring. I still can't sing it, or even read it, without tearing up. I can't say that I exactly *enjoy* singing it, but it is incredibly deep and meaningful to me.

[JVA]

Before the Throne of God

 

And Can It Be?

 

The theology in the old hymns is unsurpassed. And Can it Be pricks our heart to the amazing act of love demonstrated by the cross.

[TCoppock]

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed;

They led Him thro' the streets in shame.

They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin;

They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."

 

 

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

 

 

Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns;

They laughed and said, "Behold the King!"

They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name

All alone He suffered everything.

 

 

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

 

 

When they nailed Him to the cross, His mother stood nearby,

He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"

He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.

Then the sinful work of man was done.

 

 

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

 

 

To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry.

The cross of shame He took alone.

And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die;

Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

 

 

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

[pqr]

Onward, Christian SoldiersText: Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924

Music: Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900

Tune: ST. GERTRUDE,

 

1. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

forward into battle see his banners go!

 

Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

 

2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;

on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!

Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;

brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. (Refrain)

 

3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;

brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.

We are not divided, all one body we,

one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. (Refrain)

 

4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,

but the church of Jesus constant will remain.

Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;

we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail. (Refrain)

 

5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,

blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.

Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,

this through countless ages men and angels sing. (Refrain)

 

When Churchill and FDR met in 1941 on the battleship HMS Prince of Wales to agree the Atlantic Charter, a church service was held for which Churchill chose the hymns. He chose Onward, Christian Soldiers and afterwards made a radio broadcast explaining this choice:

 

 

We sang Onward, Christian Soldiers indeed, and I felt that this was no vain presumption, but that we had the right to feel that we serving a cause for the sake of which a trumpet has sounded from on high. When I looked upon that densely packed congregation of fighting men of the same language, of the same faith, of the same fundamental laws, of the same ideals ... it swept across me that here was the only hope, but also the sure hope, of saving the world from measureless degradation.

 

 

 

—Winston Churchill

The song has been sung at many funerals, including at the fun­er­al of Amer­i­can pre­si­dent Eisenhower at the Na­tion­al Ca­thed­ral, Wash­ing­ton, DC, March 1969

 

Of course there is always Jerusalem

 

The Hymn: "Jerusalem"

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On England's pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?

And was Jerusalem builded here

Among those dark Satanic mills?

 

Bring me my bow of burning gold:

Bring me my arrows of desire:

Bring me my spear: O clouds, unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,

Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand

Till we have built Jerusalem

In England's green and pleasant land.

[OnTheBrink]

So many great hymns have already been posted! My very favorite is Before The Throne of God Above:

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea.

A great high Priest whose Name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart.

I know that while in Heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

 

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free.

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me.

 

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,

My perfect spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace,

One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God!

 

In Christ Alone is a close second!!

 

LOVE that one!

[Whereneverever]

Lord, Keep us Steadfast in Your Word

 

By: Martin Luther Lord, keep us steadfast in your Word;

Curb those who by deceit or sword

Would wrest the kingdom from your Son

And bring to nought all he has done.

 

 

Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known,

For you are Loud of lords alone;

Defend your holy Church that we

May sing your praise triumphantly.

 

 

O Comforter of priceless worth,

Send peace and unity on earth;

Support us in our final strife

And lead us out of death of life.

[Jennifer in MI]

Thank you so much for posting this. I really needed to read these words (and sing them in my head) today.

 

I love most of what's already been posted. But, one that makes me want to get up and dance is Great Is the Lord (I think that's the name of it) by Amy Grant. Not one we sing in church, but I play it REALLY loud around my house.

[Whereneverever]

Jerusalem the Golden

 

By Bernard of Morlaix,

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest,

Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.

I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there,

What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

 

 

They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,

And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng;

The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene.

The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.

 

 

There is the throne of David, and there, from care released,

The shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast;

And they, who with their Leader, have conquered in the fight,

Forever and forever are clad in robes of white.

 

 

O sweet and blessèd country, the home of God’s elect!

O sweet and blessèd country, that eager hearts expect!

Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest,

Who art, with God the Father, and Spirit, ever blessed.

 

 

Brief life is here our portion, brief sorrow, short lived care;

The life that knows no ending, the tearless life, is there.

O happy retribution! Short toil, eternal rest;

For mortals and for sinners, a mansion with the blest.

 

 

That we should look, poor wanderers, to have our home on high!

That worms should seek for dwellings beyond the starry sky!

And now we fight the battle, but then shall wear the crown

Of full and everlasting, and passionless renown.

 

 

And how we watch and struggle, and now we live in hope,

And Zion in her anguish with Babylon must cope;

But he whom now we trust in shall then be seen and known,

And they that know and see Him shall have Him for their own.

 

 

For thee, O dear, dear country, mine eyes their vigils keep;

For very love, beholding, thy happy name, they weep:

The mention of thy glory is unction to the breast,

And medicine in sickness, and love, and life, and rest.

 

 

O one, O only mansion! O paradise of joy!

Where tears are ever banished, and smiles have no alloy;

The cross is all thy splendor, the Crucified thy praise,

His laud and benediction thy ransomed people raise.

 

 

Jerusalem the glorious! Glory of the elect!

O dear and future vision that eager hearts expect!

Even now by faith I see thee, even here thy walls discern;

To thee my thoughts are kindled, and strive, and pant, and yearn.

 

 

Jerusalem, the only, that look’st from heaven below,

In thee is all my glory, in me is all my woe!

And though my body may not, my spirit seeks thee fain,

Till flesh and earth return me to earth and flesh again.

 

 

Jerusalem, exulting on that securest shore,

I hope thee, wish thee, sing thee, and love thee evermore!

I ask not for my merit: I seek not to deny

My merit is destruction, a child of wrath am I.

 

 

But yet with faith I venture and hope upon the way,

For those perennial guerdons I labor night and day.

The best and dearest Father Who made me, and Who saved,

Bore with me in defilement, and from defilement laved.

 

 

When in His strength I struggle, for very joy I leap;

When in my sin I totter, I weep, or try to weep:

And grace, sweet grace celestial, shall all its love display,

And David’s royal fountain purge every stain away.

 

 

O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever see thy face?

O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever win thy grace?

I have the hope within me to comfort and to bless!

Shall I ever win the prize itself? O tell me, tell me, Yes!

 

 

Strive, man, to win that glory; toil, man, to gain that light;

Send hope before to grasp it, till hope be lost in sight.

Exult, O dust and ashes, the Lord shall be thy part:

His only, His forever thou shalt be, and thou art.

[FourOaks]

Thanks so much for posting these hymns!! How uplifting for my day. Do any of you have favorite hymnals that you have in your homes? I'd like to get one, but not sure which are the best.

 

 

Don't know the exact words in the title, but I refer to it as "On Eagle's Wings" -- I have a CD of Michael Crawford singing it, and it was the 'signature' song for the services held when my dad passed away - coincidentally, 17 years ago today.

 

Link to words: http://www.mamarocks.com/on_eagles_wings.htm

 

Link to Michael Crawford singing this song: http://www.rhapsody.com/michael-craw...n-eagles-wings

 

And, Max McLean, http://www.fpatheatre.com/, (he and his wife were close family friends at the time), did a dramatic reading of a defining piece of poetry for my dad, I WILL NOT GO GENTLY INTO THAT GREAT NIGHT, http://www.bigeye.com/donotgo.htm

 

I love this hymn also, and it was played at my grandpa's funeral. Thanks for the links!!

 

Angie

__________________

[AndyJoy]

I love How Great Thou Art, and not just because it has the best alto part of any hymn I've sung:D.

 

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

 

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Chorus

 

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

 

Chorus

 

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Chorus

[AndyJoy]

So many great hymns have already been posted! My very favorite is Before The Throne of God Above

 

 

Yes! This is one of my favorites, too. I didn't learn this song until college and now I sing it around the house all the time. Maybe I should sing it to my little one after he's born and see if he recognizes it.:001_smile:

[Aggie]

Holy, Holy, Holy is my fave.

 

"Merciful and mighty"

 

 

Amen.

 

I also love How Great Thou Art.

 

Wonderful question!:001_smile:

[Carol in Cal.]

She is the towering figure in our family who passed down the Faith to us all. Even though I never met her (she died at 62, when my own mother was only 14), I think of her whenever I hear this.

 

 

Jerusalem the Golden

 

By Bernard of Morlaix,

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest,

Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.

I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there,

What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

 

 

They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song,

And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng;

The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene.

The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.

 

 

There is the throne of David, and there, from care released,

The shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast;

And they, who with their Leader, have conquered in the fight,

Forever and forever are clad in robes of white.

 

 

O sweet and blessèd country, the home of God’s elect!

O sweet and blessèd country, that eager hearts expect!

Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest,

Who art, with God the Father, and Spirit, ever blessed.

 

 

Brief life is here our portion, brief sorrow, short lived care;

The life that knows no ending, the tearless life, is there.

O happy retribution! Short toil, eternal rest;

For mortals and for sinners, a mansion with the blest.

 

 

That we should look, poor wanderers, to have our home on high!

That worms should seek for dwellings beyond the starry sky!

And now we fight the battle, but then shall wear the crown

Of full and everlasting, and passionless renown.

 

 

And how we watch and struggle, and now we live in hope,

And Zion in her anguish with Babylon must cope;

But he whom now we trust in shall then be seen and known,

And they that know and see Him shall have Him for their own.

 

 

For thee, O dear, dear country, mine eyes their vigils keep;

For very love, beholding, thy happy name, they weep:

The mention of thy glory is unction to the breast,

And medicine in sickness, and love, and life, and rest.

 

 

O one, O only mansion! O paradise of joy!

Where tears are ever banished, and smiles have no alloy;

The cross is all thy splendor, the Crucified thy praise,

His laud and benediction thy ransomed people raise.

 

 

Jerusalem the glorious! Glory of the elect!

O dear and future vision that eager hearts expect!

Even now by faith I see thee, even here thy walls discern;

To thee my thoughts are kindled, and strive, and pant, and yearn.

 

 

Jerusalem, the only, that look’st from heaven below,

In thee is all my glory, in me is all my woe!

And though my body may not, my spirit seeks thee fain,

Till flesh and earth return me to earth and flesh again.

 

 

Jerusalem, exulting on that securest shore,

I hope thee, wish thee, sing thee, and love thee evermore!

I ask not for my merit: I seek not to deny

My merit is destruction, a child of wrath am I.

 

 

But yet with faith I venture and hope upon the way,

For those perennial guerdons I labor night and day.

The best and dearest Father Who made me, and Who saved,

Bore with me in defilement, and from defilement laved.

 

 

When in His strength I struggle, for very joy I leap;

When in my sin I totter, I weep, or try to weep:

And grace, sweet grace celestial, shall all its love display,

And David’s royal fountain purge every stain away.

 

 

O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever see thy face?

O sweet and blessèd country, shall I ever win thy grace?

I have the hope within me to comfort and to bless!

Shall I ever win the prize itself? O tell me, tell me, Yes!

 

 

Strive, man, to win that glory; toil, man, to gain that light;

Send hope before to grasp it, till hope be lost in sight.

Exult, O dust and ashes, the Lord shall be thy part:

His only, His forever thou shalt be, and thou art.

[Carol in Cal.]

(How funny is it that I know this hymn so well that I recognize the page number! We sang it at both my grandmother and my grandfather's funerals.)

 

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears;

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay

From His own fulness all He takes away.

 

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Hymn #651

[muffinmom]

I love the song "And Can it Be?" Words by Charles Wesley, music by Thomas Campbell

 

And can it be that I should gain

An interest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain—

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be,

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

 

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:

Who can explore His strange design?

In vain the firstborn seraph tries

To sound the depths of love divine.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,

Let angel minds inquire no more.

’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;

Let angel minds inquire no more.

 

He left His Father’s throne above

So free, so infinite His grace—

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For O my God, it found out me!

 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—

I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

 

Still the small inward voice I hear,

That whispers all my sins forgiven;

Still the atoning blood is near,

That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

I feel the life His wounds impart;

I feel the Savior in my heart.

 

No condemnation now I dread;

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

 

Pretty much if Charles Wesley had anything to do with it, I love it!

[Carol in Cal.]

"For All the Saints Who from Their Labors Rest"

by William W. How, 1823-1897

1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confess,

Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

3. Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old

And win with them the victor's crown of gold.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

4. O blest communion, fellowship divine,

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

5. And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

6. But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of Glory passes on His way.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

7. From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

8. The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest.

Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Easter hymn:

 

Awake, my heart, with gladness,

See what today is done;

Now, after gloom and sadness,

Comes forth the glorious Sun.

My Savior there was laid

Where our bed must be made

When to the realms of light

Our spirit wings its flight.

 

The foe in triumph shouted

When Christ lay in the tomb;

But, lo, he now is routed,

His boast is turned to gloom.

For Christ again is free;

In glorious victory

He Who is strong to save

Has triumphed o’er the grave.

 

This is a sight that gladdens;

What peace it doth impart!

Now nothing ever saddens

The joy within my heart.

No gloom shall ever shake,

No foe shall ever take,

The hope which God’s own Son

In love for me hath won.

 

Now hell, its prince, the devil

Of all their powers are shorn;

Now I am safe from evil,

And sin I laugh to scorn.

Grim Death with all his might

Cannot my soul affright;

He is a powerless form,

Howe’er he rave and storm.

 

The world against me rageth

Its fury I disdain;

Though bitter war it wageth

Its work is all in vain.

My heart from care is free,

No trouble troubles me.

Misfortune now is play

And night is bright as day.

 

Now I will cling forever

To Christ, my Savior true;

My Lord will leave me never,

Whate’er He passeth through.

He rends Death’s iron chain,

He breaks through sin and pain,

He shatters hell’s dark thrall,

I follow Him through all.

 

To halls of heavenly splendor

With Him I penetrate;

And trouble ne’er may hinder

Nor make me hesitate.

Let tempests rage at will,

My Savior shields me still;

He grants abiding peace

And bids all tumult cease.

 

He brings me to the portal

That leads to bliss untold,

Whereon this rhyme immortal

Is found in script of gold:

“Who there My cross hath shared

Finds here a crown prepared;

Who there with Me hath died

Shall here be glorified.â€

[Caitilin]

My own favorite hymn is Crown Him With Many Crowns:

Crown him with many crowns,

the Lamb upon his throne,

Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing

of him who died for thee,

and hail him as thy matchless King

through all eternity.

 

2. Crown him the Lord of life,

who triumphed o'er the grave,

and rose victorious in the strife

for those he came to save.

His glories now we sing,

who died, and rose on high,

who died, eternal life to bring,

and lives that death may die.

 

3. Crown him the Lord of peace,

whose power a scepter sways

from pole to pole, that wars may cease,

and all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end,

and round his pierced feet

fair flowers of paradise extend

their fragrance ever sweet.

 

4. Crown him the Lord of love;

behold his hands and side,

those wounds, yet visible above,

in beauty glorified.

All hail, Redeemer, hail!

For thou hast died for me;

thy praise and glory shall not fail

throughout eternity.

I also love This is My Father's World, and Thou Fount of Every Blessing. And yes, the sung theology is unsurpassed. :)

[kalanamak]

I like Only Remembered For What We Have Done. It should stimulate all:

 

http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiONLYRMBR;ttONLYRMBR.html

[Carol in Cal.]

"The Lutheran Hymnal" of 1941.

Available on ebay but also from Concordia Publishing House and Northwestern Publishing House.

 

It has many, many verses of all of its 600+ hymns. Those that were written in English are left as originally written, I think. The tunes are well-harmonized and easy to sing SATB if desired.

[ladydusk]

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

 

Words: Liturgy of St. James, 4th Century (Σιγησάτο παρα σὰρξ βροτεία); translated from Greek to English by Gerard Moultrie, 1864.

Music: Picardy, French carol melody.

 

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,

And with fear and trembling stand;

Ponder nothing earthly minded,

For with blessing in His hand,

Christ our God to earth descendeth,

Our full homage to demand.

 

 

King of kings, yet born of Mary,

As of old on earth He stood,

Lord of lords, in human vesture,

In the body and the blood;

He will give to all the faithful

His own self for heavenly food.

 

 

Rank on rank the host of heaven

Spreads its vanguard on the way,

As the Light of light descendeth

From the realms of endless day,

That the powers of hell may vanish

 

As the darkness clears away.

 

 

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,

Cherubim with sleepless eye,

Veil their faces to the presence,

As with ceaseless voice they cry:

Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Lord Most High!

[Penelope]

How Great Thou Art is stirring.

 

I also like a few already mentioned-- Be Still My Soul, It is Well With My Soul, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

 

Others not mentioned:

 

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus

 

This reminds me, maybe I am just getting older, but I don't like the trend towards more contemporary music in the worship services. Some of it is powerful and beautiful, but I prefer the old hymns I grew up on.

[texascamps]

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"

 

and another one that I love but can't sing in church because it makes me cry.

 

"There is Sunshine in My Soul Today."

There is sunshine in my soul today

More glorious and bright

Than any earthly sky

Because Jesus in my light.

 

There is music in my soul today

A carol to my King.

And Jesus listening can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

 

There's more...... but I'm already in tears...

 

:tongue_smilie:

[ma23peas]

Haven't read other replies...

 

Our family faves are...

 

Blessed Assurance...and It is Well with my Soul....

 

The writer of this great hymn, Fanny Crosby, lived to be almost ninety-five years of age and during that time penned the staggering total of over eight thousand sacred songs and hymns.

 

What is even more remarkable is the fact that this great life's work was accomplished without the aid of eyesight.

 

When she was only six weeks old, baby Fanny Crosby caught a cold. Her eyes became terribly inflamed and a country doctor prescribed, of all things, a mustard poultice. The desperate remedy resulted in the child's immediate blindness.

 

Even the then famous New York Surgeon, Dr. Valentine Mott, could do nothing to help her. Showing Fanny and her widowed mother to the door after his examination which confirmed the hopelessness of her condition he was heard to lament, 'Poor little blind girl!'

 

However, Fanny Crosby was to turn her affliction in to an asset and in later years looked upon her blindness as a blessing.

 

When she was twelve she entered the New York Institute for the Blind and was so successful as a student that in later years, from 1847 until 1858 she taught in the same school.

 

She began writing poetry at the age of eight with this simple little verse:

 

Oh, what a happy child I am,

Although I cannot see!

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

 

It was much later, however, while working at the Institute for the Blind, that she began to develop her talent for writing and to turn it into something profitable.

 

Her popular, secular verse made her name famous. Such songs as "Rosalie The Prairie Flower" and "There's Music In The Air", were set to music by composer George Root and sold in sheet music by the thousands.

 

An interesting sidelight here is that the male secretary of the Institute's superintendent used to take down the lines of verse as Fanny Crosby dictated them. In fact, on at least one occasion they were both reprimanded for this 'waste of the school's time.'

 

That school secretary was called Grover Cleveland and many a time in later years he was to set aside the important affairs of the presidency to take dictation from his welcome White House guest, Fanny Crosby.

 

She was 44 years old when she gave up secular songs to devote her full energies to sacred compositions. From her prolific pen flowed such popular and all time favourites as "Near The Cross", "Safe In The Arms Of Jesus", "Rescue The Perishing", "Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour" and "Blessed Assurance".

 

The story behind the writing of "Blessed assurance" is simple, yet interesting.

 

One day Miss Crosby was in the home of her friend Mrs Joseph F. Knapp. In the Knapp home was installed what was believed to be the largest pipe organ ever placed in a private dwelling. However, on this particular day Mrs Knapp called her guest over to the piano to listen to a new melody she had just composed. After playing the tune a few times she asked, 'What do you think the tune says?'

 

"Blessed assurance Jesus is mine", answered Fanny Crosby, and then, drawing from her vast storehouse of Scripture knowledge, continued with

 

Oh what a foretaste of glory divine

Heir of salvation, purchase of God

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

 

In a very short time a new sacred song was born with words by Fanny Crosby and music by Mrs J. F. Knapp.

 

Although written as far back as 1873 Blessed Assurance still remains a firm favourite with Christians everywhere.

[ma23peas]

The history behind It is Well with my Soul is part of what hits us the most....I can't get the image of this father holding fast to his faith!

 

Nowhere is this truth more aptly illustrated than in the story which accompanies the writing of the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul".

 

Horatio G. Spafford lived, with his wife and four daughters, in Chicago. He was a lawyer by profession and a devout and sincere Christian.

 

One day in 1873 he stood on the quayside in Chicago and bid farewell to his family as they set sail to visit relatives in far off Europe. He was not to realise that he would never see most of them again.

 

Some days later their ship, bound for Le Havre in France collided with another steamship in mid-Atlantic, and sank almost immediately.

 

Before it did so, however, Mrs Spafford was able to have a prayer with her children and commit them to the mercy of the Lord. That was the last time she would ever see them on this earth.

 

Fortunately, a lifeboat spotted Mrs Spafford and she was rescued. When she arrived in Britain, with the rest of the survivors, she sent her husband this terse, but telling message: 'SAVED ALONE.'

 

The words struck Horatio Spafford with full force, and, understandably, plunged him into deep sorrow. He left for England, without delay, to comfort his grief-stricken wife.

 

The great American evangelist D.L. Moody and his associate, singer Ira D. Sankey, were conducting a campaign in Edinburgh at the time. They were personal friends of the Spaffords and came down to London to give whatever help and comfort they could. They found their friends in surprisingly good spirits, strong in faith and able to say through their tears, 'It is well; the will of God be done.'

 

Three years after that tragedy, Mr. Spafford wrote his hymn "It Is Well With My Soul", in memory of his four precious daughters. Happily each of them had personally received Jesus Christ as Saviour before embarking on that fateful voyage.

[Kristen62]

Sweet Hour of Prayer

 

Good words/thouugts in all verses.

 

There are so many with good doctrine.

[Kim in Appalachia]

God be Merciful to Me is probably one of my favorites, and very moving. It doesn't matter how often we sing it, I'm humbled and awed each time.