31 Days of Hymns - Day 5

It Is Well with My Soul

Penned by Horatio Gates Spafford  after a series of devastating events including a family tragedy, these words confidently express deep trust in God and His Word as written in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”.

God never promises that we will not have difficulties while on this earth, but He does promise to those who know Him that He will work it all for good. As I grow older, the suffering I see becomes clearer, more present, and painfully sharp, yet, my confidence in the promises of God are still my comfort and my hope. This hymn is my testimony that "It Is Well with My Soul".

Listen here:

Beautiful A Capella version song at church - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCeSccazL8I

Enhanced version by Hillsong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5V3bY6qlI

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."


Refrain (may be sung after final stanza only):
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 has 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

O 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

More about this hymn:

http://www.hymnary.org/text/when_peace_like_a_river_attendeth_my_way

31 Days of Hymns - Day 4

Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord

This hymn so clearly resonates with me. God in His great mercy, love and goodness providentially lead me to this hymn through a long path of events bringing me eventually to Spurgeon's Treasury of David concerning Psalm 37:5. It's here that Spurgeon brings comfort through Biblical truth, illuminating grace even more with this marvelous hymn. May this bring comfort to you as well.

Verse 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord. Roll the whole burden of life upon the Lord. Leave with Jehovah not thy present fretfulness merely, but all thy cares; in fact, submit the whole tenor of thy way to him. Cast away anxiety, resign thy will, submit thy judgment, leave all with the God of all. What a medicine is this for expelling envy! What a high attainment does this fourth precept indicate! How blessed must he be who lives every day in obedience to it! Trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Our destiny shall be joyfully accomplished if we confidently entrust all to our Lord. We may serenely sing—

"Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be:
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy Rest

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might:
Choose Thou for me, my God;
So shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill."

The ploughman sows and harrows, and then leaves the harvest to God. What can he do else? He cannot cover the heavens with clouds, or command the rain, or bring forth the sun or create the dew. He does well to leave the whole matter with God; and so to all of us it is truest wisdom, having obediently trusted in God, to leave results in his hands, and expect a blessed issue.

Here's the entire hymn by Horatius Bonar:

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be:
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it leads
Right onward to Thy Rest

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might:
Choose Thou for me, my God;
So shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.

Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me,
My poverty or wealth.
Not mine, not mine the choice
In things or great or small;
Be Thou my guide, my strength,
My wisdom, and my all.



 Listen here:

Contemporary rendition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP6x0KfLqZM

Another delightful contemporary rendition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KuwvS0pA4

Traditional Church Rendition:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDtdm3b_QVI

Beautifully sung in a foreign language:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA4ZGuuSoA4

Read more about this hymn:
http://www.hymnary.org/text/thy_way_not_mine_o_lord

Read where I encountered this hymn:
http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps037.htm

31 Days of Hymns - Day 3

My Jesus, I Love Thee

Interestingly, this hymn was written by a teenager who had recently come to faith. It's thought that William Ralph Featherston wrote “Jesus, I Love Thee” as a poem sometime when he was 12-16 years old. Little is know about William who died young at the age of 27. Years later, Adoniram Judson Gordon set these words to music and published this marvelous work as a hymn. As a devotional hymn, the words beautifully express deep love, gratitude, and praise for Jesus and all that He has done and continues to for us.

Listen here to some of my favorite versions:
Red Mountain Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0dAOR2ljk8
Paul Baloche: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAqaOXqW1gI

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 deathdew 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.

More about this hymn:

Hymn Stories by Tim Challies: http://www.challies.com/articles/hymn-stories-my-jesus-i-love-thee 

http://www.hymnary.org/text/my_jesus_i_love_thee_i_know_thou_art_mi

31 Days of Hymns - Day 2

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Written in 1529, Martin Luther, penned this great hymn based on Psalm 46. I've always found this to be a powerful song to sing, yet listening to hundreds of  men singing at the Together for the Gospel conference elevates the power even more. It's truly awe-inspiring!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_tGKr1dgxY


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
does 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.
You 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 has 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!


More about this hymn:


http://www.hymnary.org/text/a_mighty_fortress_is_our_god_a_bulwark

 

31 Days of Hymns - Day 1

Be Still, My Soul 

This is one of the most beautiful, comforting hymns ever written.  Penned about 300 years ago these words are pure treasure for the believer. Perhaps inspired by these words from Psalm 46:1a  “Be still, and know that I am God.", the writer, Catharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel clearly communicates who God is, His promises, and the confidence we have that He is true and faithful. May you be blessed and comforted as you listen to this beautiful hymn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92fMgMt_Zw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwkPsKe-39Y

Kari Jobe's version with "In You I rest..." verses is especially comforting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq59iE3MhXM


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 heav’nly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.


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.


Be still, my soul: when 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 sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.


Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning 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.


Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well-pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Learn more about this hymn writer: http://wordwisehymns.com/2010/10/22/today-in-1697-katharina-von-schlegel-born/

Learn for about this hymn here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/be_still_my_soul_the_lord_is_on_thy_side

Kari Jobe rendition with additional verses:

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

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

Chorus

In you I rest, in You I found my hope
In you I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul

Verse 2

Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointed 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

Chorus 2x

In you I rest, in You I found my hope
In you I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul

In you I rest, in You I found my hope
In you I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within your hands alone
Be still, my soul 3x