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

[Carol in Cal.]

"Oh God, Oh Lord of Heaven and Earth"

1. Oh God, Oh Lord of heav'n and earth

Thy living finger never wrote

That life should be an aimless mote

A deathward drift from futile birth.

Thy word meant light triumphant hurled

To every cranny of Thy world.

Since light awoke

And life began

Thou hast desired Thy life for man.

 

 

and

 

"Thy Strong World"

(to the tune of "Once to Every Man and Nation")

1. Thy strong word did cleave the darkness

At Thy speaking it was done.

For created light we thank Thee

While Thine ordered seasons run.

Alleluia, alleluia

Praise to Thee Who light does send!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia without end!

 

ETA my favorite verse:

Thy strong word bespeaks us righteous

Bright with Thine own holiness.

Glorious now, we press toward glory

And our lives our hopes confess!

Alleluia, alleluia, May the light which Thou dost send

Fill our souls with alleluias, alleluias without end!

Edited August 25, 2009 by Carol in Cal.

[Erica in PA]

"And Can it Be"-- because it reminds me how amazed I was when I first came to know Christ, to really understand that He loved me so much that He gave His life for me, and each time we sing it, I feel amazed all over again by His love.

 

 

 

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?

 

 

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.

 

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.

[KrissiK]

"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" is right up there, as well as most of the other ones mentioned.

 

"Be Still My Soul" is an incredible hymn, not only the words but the melody just pulls at the heart. A couple years ago I lead devotions at a mother's group I attended and one of the moms had just succombed to a valiant battle with cancer. How do you lead devotions the week after that happens? I had no idea what to say, so I just copied off the words to that hymn and we sang it through tears. It was beautiful and all that needed to be done.

[bearnpurple]

"What A Day That Will Be"

 

There is coming a day

When no heartaches shall come

No more clouds in the sky

No more tears to dim the eye

All is peace forevermore

on that happy golden shore

What a day

Glorious day that will be

 

v2

There'll be no sorrow there

no more burdens to bear

No more sickness, no pain

No more parting over there

And forever I will be

with the One who died for me

What a day

glorious day that will be

 

ch

What a day that will be

When my Jesus I shall see

And I look upon His face

the One who saved me by His grace

When He takes me by the hand

and leads me through the Promised Land

What a day, glorious day that will be!

 

Soul Stirring Songs & Hymns - Sword of the Lord Publishers - Page 63

 

Of course, there are so many ----So Send I You, Rescue the Perishing, Little is Much when God Is In It & Heavenly Sunlight!

[littlebug42]

I have two favorites:

 

Eye Has Not Seen

 

Verse 1

When pain and sorrow weigh us down,

be near to us, O Lord,

forgive the weakness of our faith,

and bear us up within your peaceful word.

 

Verse 2

Our lives are but a single breath,

we flower and we fade,

yet all our days are in your hands,

so we return in love what love has made.

 

Verse 3

To those who see with eyes of faith,

the Lord is ever near,

reflected in the faces

of all the poor and lowly of the world.

 

Verse 4

We sing a mystery from the past

in halls where saints have trod,

yet ever new the music rings

to Jesus, Living Song of God.

 

Chorus

Eye has not seen,

ear has not heard

what God has ready

for those who love him;

Spirit of love, come,

give us the mind of Jesus,

teach us the wisdom of God.

 

and

 

Gloria

 

Refrain

 

Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.

 

1. Lord, God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,

we worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

 

2. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God,

you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us;

you are seated at the right hand of the Father:

receive our prayer.

 

3. For you alone are the holy one,

you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit,

in the glory of God, the Father. Amen.

[Jugglin'5]

O God of Earth and Altar

 

O God of earth and altar,

bow down and hear our cry,

our earthly rulers falter,

our people drift and die;

the walls of gold entomb us,

the swords of scorn divide,

take not thy thunder from us,

but take away our pride.

 

From all that terror teaches,

from lies of tongue and pen,

from all the easy speeches

that comfort cruel men,

from sale and profanation

of honor, and the sword,

from sleep and from ****ation,

deliver us, good Lord!

 

Tie in a living tether

the prince and priest and thrall,

bind all our lives together,

smite us and save us all;

in ire and exultation

aflame with faith, and free,

lift up a living nation,

a single sword to thee.

Words: Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 1906 Music: King's Lynn

 

Apparently my hymn is being censored, lol.

Edited August 25, 2009 by Jugglin'5
****ation

[Amber in SJ]

I just typed out the lyrics to my favorite & they zipped off into cyberspace with no trace.

 

My dd just sang "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" on Sunday. It was so beautiful. It is her goal to make her mama cry everytime she sings in church.

 

Along with the others mentioned I love "Lord, I Would Follow Thee"

 

Lyrics

Savior, may I learn to love thee,

Walk the path that thou hast shown,

Pause to help and lift another,

Finding strength beyond my own.

Savior, may I learn to love thee-

Lord, I would follow thee.

 

Who am I to judge another

When I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can't see.

Who am I to judge another?

Lord, I would follow thee.

 

I would be my brother's keeper;

I would learn the healer's art.

To the wounded and the weary

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother's keeper-

Lord, I would follow thee.

 

Savior, may I love my brother

As I know thou lovest me,

Find in thee my strength, my beacon,

For thy servant I would be.

Savior, may I love my brother-

Lord, I would follow thee.

 

Text: Susan Evans McCloud

 

When I am leading the children in music time I tell them to sing their testimonies out loud!

 

Amber in SJ

[Amber in SJ]

Oooh, oooh, I love to sing this one too but I can never get through it without tears;

 

I Stand All Amazed

 

Lyrics

 

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died

 

Chorus:

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me

Oh, it is wonderful

Wonderful to me

 

I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine

That he should extend his great love unto such as I

Sufficient to own, to redeem and to justify

 

 

I think of his hands, pierced and bleeding to pay my debt

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet

OK, I will stop now

Amber in SJ

[Shelly in the Country]

by John Newton

 

1. Let us love and sing and wonder

Let us praise the Savior’s name

He has hushed the law’s loud thunder

He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has brought us nigh to God

2. Let us love the Lord Who bought us

Pitied us when enemies

Called us by His grace and taught us

Gave us ears and gave us eyes

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He has washed us with His blood

He presents our souls to God

3. Let us sing though fierce temptation

Threatens hard to bear us down

For the Lord, our strong salvation,

Holds in view the conqu’ror’s crown

He, Who washed us with His blood,

He, Who washed us with His blood,

He, Who washed us with His blood,

Soon will bring us home to God

4. Let us wonder grace and justice

Join and point to mercy’s store

When through grace in Christ our trust is

Justice smiles and asks no more

He Who washed us with His blood

He Who washed us with His blood

He Who washed us with His blood

Has secured our way to God

5. Let us praise and join the chorus

Of the saints enthroned on high

Here they trusted Him before us

Now their praises fill the sky

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou hast washed us with Thy blood

Thou art worthy Lamb of God

 

I also like "Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"

[LizzyBee]

 

 

Wonderful, merciful Savior

Precious Redeemer and Friend

Who would have thought that a Lamb

Could rescue the souls of men

Oh you rescue the souls of men

 

Counselor, Comforter, Keeper

Spirit we long to embrace

You offer hope when our hearts have

Hopelessly lost the way

Oh, we've hopelessly lost the way

 

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

 

Almighty, infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh, we're falling before Your throne

[SnowWhite]

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Martin Luther)

 

 

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

 

 

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

 

 

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

 

 

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

 

 

I also love It is Well With My Soul and its story.

 

 

Cyberhymnal.org had this along with A Mighty Fortress:

 

 

In 1720 a remarkable revival began in a town in Moravia. Jesuits opposed it, and the meetings were prohibited. Those who still assembled were seized and imprisoned in stables and cellars. At David Nitschmann’s house, where a hundred and fifty persons gathered, the police broke in and seized the books. Not dismayed, the congregation struck up the stanzas of Luther’s hymn,

 

“And though this world, with devils filled,

 

Should threaten to undo us;

 

We will not fear, for God hath willed

 

His truth to triumph through us.”

Twenty heads of families were for this sent to jail, including Nitschmann, who was treated with special severity. He finally escaped, fled to the Moravians at Herrnhut, became a bishop, and afterwards joined the Wesleys in 1735 in their expedition to Savannah, Georgia.

 

 

Another favorite is Amazing Grace, and the newer Only Believe.

Edited August 26, 2009 by SnowWhite

[luna]

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

I have to agree, only in the opposite order! I must admit, the words of many I don't know and posted here have moved me. I can only imagine how powerful they are to hear! Thanks for sharing.

[petepie2]

How Sweet and Awful Is the Place by Isaac Watts

 

 

1. How sweet and awful is the place

With Christ within the doors,

While everlasting love displays

The choicest of her stores.

 

 

 

2. While all our hearts and all our songs

Join to admire the feast,

Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,

"Lord, why was I a guest?"

 

 

 

3. "Why was I made to hear Thy voice,

And enter while there's room,

When thousands make a wretched choice,

And rather starve than come?"

 

 

4. 'Twas the same love that spread the feast

That sweetly drew us in;

Else we had still refused to taste,

And perished in our sin.

 

 

5. Pity the nations, O our God,

Constrain the earth to come;

Send Thy victorious Word abroad,

And bring the strangers home.

 

 

 

6. We long to see Thy churches full,

That all the chosen race

May, with one voice and heart and soul,

Sing Thy redeeming grace.

[pooh bear]

The only hymn I remember from my childhood is Jerusalem

 

It's from a poem by William Blake and turned into a hymn by Sir Hubert Parry.

 

This is video of

And this explains what it is about

 

Even though I am an atheist, this song is very moving and powerful about how great England could be.

[BikeBookBread]

And Can It Be That I Should Gain? - Charles Wesley

 

1. 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?

 

2. 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.

 

3. No condemnation now I dread,

I am the Lord's and He is mine;

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine.

 

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?

[Jugglin'5]

How Sweet and Awful Is the Place by Isaac Watts

 

 

1. How sweet and awful is the place

With Christ within the doors,

While everlasting love displays

The choicest of her stores.

 

 

 

2. While all our hearts and all our songs

Join to admire the feast,

Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,

"Lord, why was I a guest?"

 

 

 

3. "Why was I made to hear Thy voice,

And enter while there's room,

When thousands make a wretched choice,

And rather starve than come?"

 

 

4. 'Twas the same love that spread the feast

That sweetly drew us in;

Else we had still refused to taste,

And perished in our sin.

 

 

5. Pity the nations, O our God,

Constrain the earth to come;

Send Thy victorious Word abroad,

And bring the strangers home.

 

 

 

6. We long to see Thy churches full,

That all the chosen race

May, with one voice and heart and soul,

Sing Thy redeeming grace.

 

This is one of my favorites, too. :001_smile: