</idle musing>
This one also seems most appropriate as a prayer for today.
</idle musing>
Saturday, May 18, 2024
And a second prayer for the country
Friday, May 17, 2024
There's plenty of room!
A prayer for the country
Almighty God, who in the former time didst lead our fathers forth into a wealthy place; give Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, to us, their children, that we may alway approve ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor, and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure religion. Defend our liberties, preserve our unity. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Fashion into one happy people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit oi wisdom those whom we intrust in Thy Name with the authority of governance, to the end that there be peace at home, and that we keep a place among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness; and in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.—The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition, 516-17
<idle musing>
Seems an appropriate prayer for our times, does it not?
</idle musing>
Thursday, May 16, 2024
We're not there yet
O Splendor of God's glory bright
1 O Splendor of God's glory bright,
From light eternal bringing light;
Thou Light of life, light's living Spring,
True Day, all days illumining.
O Thou true Sun, on us Thy glance
Let fall in royal radiance,
The Spirit's sanctifying beam
Upon our earthly senses stream.
The Father, too, our prayers implore
Father of glory evermmore;
The Father of all grace and might,
To banish sin from our delight;
To guide whate'er we nobly do,
With love all envy to subdue,
To make illfortune turn to fair,
And give us grace our wrongs to bear.
Ambrose of Milan
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
This hymn by Ambrose only occurs in about 45 hymnals, but it seems to have about that many variations. None of the versions at hymnary.org has the version here. Most of them also contain more verses. Follow the link and compare to your heart's content!
That's the final hymn in this hymnal; what follows now is responsive readings, orders of service, communion services, etc. I may or may not post on those. Expect a gap here and there for a week or two. Next I think I'll go through the United Methodist hymnal that replaced this one. By necessity there will be overlap, but I won't post the duplicates (but I think I've already said that).
</idle musing>
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Look around—then look at Jesus
Hence the basis for Christian ecclesial community, church, is a gathering around the person of Jesus Christ and a living in his Spirit. And that Spirit too is not some vague bird or abstract tonality. The spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is defined in scripture as charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long—suffering, fidelity, mildness, and chastity.—The Holy Longing, 120
<idle musing>
Oh my. He has us pegged here, doesn't he? Nothing outside of the power of the Holy Spirit can hold us together (see today's Tozer for Tuesday).
</idle musing>
A word for today
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
1 Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointed Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.
2 Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.
3 Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of Thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where Thou art guide, no ill can come.
4 Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee, of both, to be but one;
That through the ages, all along,
This may be our endless song:
Refrain (after the last stanza):
Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Anonymous (9th or 10th century)
Tr. by John Cosin
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Not to be confused with a hymn by Charles Wesley that has the same first line. This one is far less popular, only occurring in a little over 100 hymnals. I don't recall ever singing it. According to hymnary.org, it should be attributed to a Rabanus Maurus, who lived fron 776 to 856, although his birth date is disputed.
</idle musing>
Tozer for Tuesday (a day late)
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
To God the only wise
1 To God the only wise,
our Savior and our King,
let all the saints below the skies
their humble praises bring.
2 To our Redeemer God
wisdom and pow'r belongs,
immortal crowns of majesty,
and everlasting songs.
Isaac Watts
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Not one of Isaac Watts better know hymns. It occurs in about 350 hymnals. This hymn isn't in the regular part of the Methodist hymnal, but in the Responses section, which is probably why it only has the first and last verse. Hymnary.org adds three verses:
2 ’Tis His almighty love,</idle musing>
His counsel and His care,
preserves us safe from sin and death,
and ev'ry hurtful snare.3 He will present our souls
unblemished and complete,
before the glory of His face,
with joys divinely great.4 Then all the chosen seed
shall meet around the throne,
shall bless the conduct of His grace,
And make His wonders known.
Monday, May 13, 2024
You look like what you believe
<idle musing>
I'm not sure I entirely believe him, but it does tend to be true—and is definitely something to think about.
</idle musing>
Jesus, stand among us
1 Jesus, stand among us
In Thy risen power;
Let this time of worship
Be a hallowed hour.
2 Breathe the Holy Spirit
Into every heart;
Bid the fears and sorrows
From each soul depart.
3 Thus with quickened footsteps
We pursue our way,
Watching for the dawning
Of eternal day.
William Pennefather
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Sunday, May 12, 2024
Lord and Savior, true and kind
1. Lord and Savior, true and kind,
Be the Master of my mind;
Bless, and guide, and strengthen still
All my powers of thought and will.
2. While I ply the scholar’s task,
Jesus Christ, be near, I ask;
Help the memory, clear the brain,
Knowledge still to seek and gain.
3. Here I train for life’s swift race;
Let me do it in Thy grace;
Here I arm me for life’s fight;
Let me do it in Thy might.
4. Thou hast made me mind and soul;
I for Thee would use the whole;
Thou hast died that I might live;
All my powers to Thee I give.
5. Striving, thinking, learning, still,
Let me follow thus Thy will,
Till my whole glad nature be
Trained for duty and for Thee.
Handley C. G. Moule
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
No, not that Moule! This is his great uncle, also an important scholar and bishop of Durham. I wasn't aware that he had written any hymns, but it appears he wrote several, none of which are in more than eight hymnals.
I don't recall ever singing—or even noticing—this hymn before, but I really like the sentiments it expresses.
That brings us to the end of the regular part of this hymnal. The next section is entitled "Music for the Holy Communion, Response, Doxologies, Ancient Hymns and Canticles." Not sure how much of that I'll be posting. After this hymnal, I'll probably go through the hymnal that superseded it, The Book of Hymns. There will undoubtably be duplicates, which I won't be posting. I do recall the excitement when the church bought these new hymnals. It included "How Great Thou Art," which was always a popular solo choice because it wasn't in the previous hymnal.
</idle musing>
Saturday, May 11, 2024
O Thou Whose feet have climbed life's hill
1 O Thou Whose feet have climbed life's hill,
And trod the path of youth,
Our Saviour and our Brother still,
Now lead us into truth.
2 The call is Thine: be Thou the Way,
And give us men, to guide;
Let wisdom broaden with the day,
Let human faith abide.
3 Who learn of Thee the truth shall find,
Who follow, gain the goal:
With reverence crown the earnest mind,
And speak within the soul.
4 Awake the purpose high which strives,
And, falling, stands again;
Confirm the will of eager lives
To quit themselves like men.
5 Thy life the bond of fellowship,
Thy love the law that rules,
Thy Name, proclaimed by every lip,
The Master of our schools.
Louis F. Benson
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Friday, May 10, 2024
Really? You gotta be kidding!
Almighty Lord, with one accord
1. Almighty Lord, with one accord
We offer Thee our youth,
And pray that Thou would’st give us
The warfare of the truth.
2. Thy cause doth claim our souls by name,
Because that we are strong;
In all the land, one steadfast band,
May we to Christ belong.
3. Let fall on every college hall
The luster of Thy cross,
That love may dare Thy work to share
And count all else as loss.
4. Our hearts be ruled, our spirits schooled
Alone Thy will to seek;
And when we find Thy blessed mind,
Instruct our lips to speak.
M. Woolsey Stryker
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
I don't recall ever singing this one (it only occurs in 23 hymnals), but that's true of many of the hymns in this section of the hymnal, which is labeled "Special Seasons and Services." In other words, songs that are basically sung once at a building dedication or the like. But, this one could be sung before every term—or even every day, for that matter!
</idle musing>
Thursday, May 09, 2024
What is a saint, anyway?
God be with you till we meet again
1 God be with you till we meet again;
By God's counsels guide, uphold you,
With God's sheep securely fold you:
God be with you till we meet again.
Refrain:
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.
2 God be with you till we meet again;
’Neath God's wings protecting hide you,
Daily manna still provide you:
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]
3 God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you,
Put God's arms unfailing round you:
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]
4 God be with you till we meet again;
Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,
Smite death’s threat'ning wave before you:
God be with you till we meet again. [Refrain]
Jeremiah E. Rankin
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
There's a note in the Methodist hymnal that this can be sung without the refrain, and indeed, that's the only way I ever remember singing it. In fact, when I saw the refrain in the hymnal today, I thought it was a different song!
It was a commonly sung benediction when I was growing up, so much so that I don't think I ever even looked it up before. I just learned it by singing it.
You might enjoy the biography of the author; just follow the link.
</idle musing>
Wednesday, May 08, 2024
How will we be judged? You'd be surprised
How naive!
O God Creator, in whose hand
The rolling planets lie,
Give skill to those who now command
The ships that brave the sky.
Strong Spirit, burning with mankind
On mission high to dare
Safe pilot all who seek to find
Their haven through the air.
Enfolding Life, bear on Thy wing
Through storm, and dark, and sun,
The men in air who closer bring
The nations into one.
Harry Webb Farrington
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
This hymn was written in 1928, when flying was still a dangerous and novel thing. The author lived in Dayton, OH, which was right in the center of most of the excitement over aviation. It only occurs in seven hymnals.
You can sense the same kind of excitement and optimism that some of us felt at the beginning of the microcomputer age, or the rise of the internet, or the hope that maybe blogging or social media might actually improve social interaction. All that seems naive in retrospect. The same for author of this hymn, who thought that aviation would "closer bring the nations into one." The massive destruction of firebombing in WWII laid that notion to rest...
</idle musing>
Tuesday, May 07, 2024
Not so optional after all
Tozer for Tuesday
All nature's works His praise declare
1. All nature’s works His praise declare, to whom they all belong;
There is a voice in every star, in every breeze a song.
Sweet music fills the world abroad with strains of love and power;
The stormy sea sings praise to God, the thunder and the shower.
2. To God the tribes of ocean cry, and birds upon the wing;
To God the powers that dwell on high their tuneful tribute bring.
Like them, let us the throne surround, with them loud chorus raise,
While instruments of loftier sound assist our feeble praise.
3. Great God, to Thee we consecrate our voices and our skill;
We bid the pealing organ wait to speak alone Thy will.
Lord, while the music round us floats may earth born passions die;
O grant its rich and swelling notes may lift our souls on high!
Henry Ware Jr.
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Not exactly a popular hymn; it only occurs in 39 hymnals.
</idle musing>
Monday, May 06, 2024
It's a relationship!
For all the blessings of the year
1 For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.
2 For life and health, those common things,
Which every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank Thee, Lord.
3 For love of Thine, which never tires,
Which all our better thought inspires,
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank Thee, Lord.
Albert H. Hutchinson
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Well, this is a definite first. I can't find any information about the author of this hymn. It appears to be the only hymn he wrote and appears in only 34 hymnals.
</idle musing>
Sunday, May 05, 2024
Come, ye thankful people, come
1 Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God's own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.
2 All the world is God's own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.
3 For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.
4 Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.
Henry Alford
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Alford published a Greek New Testament, for which is he better known than for his hymns. The biography linked to above says this, rather accurately, about Alford as a hymnwriter:
As a hymn-writer he added little to his literary reputation. The rhythm of his hymns is musical, but the poetry is neither striking, nor the thought original. They are evangelical in their teaching, but somewhat cold and conventional. They vary greatly in merit.</idle musing>
Saturday, May 04, 2024
We plow the fields and scatter
1 We plow the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand.
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft, refreshing rain.
2 He only is the Maker
Of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star.
The winds and waves obey Him,
By Him the birds are fed;
Much more, to us His children,
He gives our daily bread.
3 We thank Thee then, O Father,
For all things bright and good:
The seed-time and the harvest,
Our life, our health our food.
No gifts have we to offer
For all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.
Matthias Claudius
Tr. by Jane M. Campbell
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Some add a refrain:
All good gifts around us</idle musing>
Are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love.
Friday, May 03, 2024
Distracting ourselves to death
<idle musing>
"We are more busy than bad, more distracted than nonspiritual, and more interested in the movie theater, the sports stadium, and the shopping mall and the fantasy life they produce in us than we are in church. Pathological busyness, distraction, and restlessness are major blocks today within our spiritual lives."
That sums up our lives only too well, doesn't it? And, if he had written it today, he would have added our phones…
</idle musing>
O Lord of heaven and earth and sea
1 O Lord of heaven and earth and sea,
to thee all praise and glory be.
How shall we show our love to thee
who givest all?
2 The golden sunshine, vernal air,
sweet flowers and fruit, thy love declare;
when harvests ripen, thou art there,
who givest all.
3 For peaceful homes, and healthful days,
for all the blessings earth displays,
we owe thee thankfulness and praise,
who givest all.
4 For souls redeemed, for sins forgiven,
for means of grace and hopes of heaven,
Father, what can to thee be given,
who givest all?
5 We lose what on ourselves we spend,
we have as treasure without end
whatever, Lord, to thee we lend,
who givest all.
6 To thee, from whom we all derive
our life, our gifts, our power to give:
O may we ever with thee live,
who givest all.
Christopher Wordsworth
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
No, not that Wordworth! He's this one's uncle! Some hymnals insert two verses:
4 Thou didst not spare thine only Son,And others insert a chorus:
but gav'st him for a world undone,
and freely with that blessèd One
thou givest all.5 Thou giv'st the Holy Spirit's dower,
Spirit of life and love and power,
and dost his sevenfold graces shower
upon us all.
We'll sing thy praise in songs of holy joy!</idle musing>
Thy work, O Lord, shall all our pow'rs employ!
Souls redeemed and sins forgiv'n,
For means of grace and hopes of heav'n,
Thou didst not spare thine only Son,
But freely gave that blessed One
To save us all.
Thursday, May 02, 2024
It's a powerful fire!
<idle musing>
That reference dates the book a bit, doesn't it? I linked to the Wiki version of who David Koresh was for those who don't recall. That aside, he's making a very valid point here. Augustine said the same thing 1600 years before, too. We were created for a relationship with our maker, and nothing else will suffice.
</idle musing>
Great God, we sing that mighty hand
1 Great God, we sing that mighty hand,
By which supported still we stand:
The opening year thy mercy shews.
Let mercy crown it till it close.
2 By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still we are guarded by our God;
By thine incessant bounty fed,
By thine unerring counsel led.
3 With grateful hearts the past we own;
The future, all to us unknown,
We to thy guardian care commit,
And peaceful leave before thy feet.
4 In scenes exalted or depress'd,
Be thou our joy, and thou our rest;
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,
Adored thro' all our changing days.
Philip Doddridge
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
A fairly popular hymn, occurring in over 480 hymnals. Hymnary.org has a fifth verse:
5 When death shall interrupt these songs,</idle musing>
And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our helper God, in whom we trust,
In better words our souls shall boast.
Wednesday, May 01, 2024
Don't interrupt my depression!
<idle musing>
Ouch! I think he hit on something there. Our society on the whole strongly dislikes children. Perhaps because they remind us that there is more to life than acting busy and trying to "get ahead" or make more money. Or maybe, as he says, they interrupt our depression.
Either way, we need to celebrate children!
</idle musing>
Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise!
1. Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise!
All praise to Him belongs:
Who kindly lengthens out our days
Demands our choicest songs.
2. His providence hath brought us through
Another various year:
We all with vows and anthems new
Before our God appear.
3. Father, Thy mercies past we own;
Thy still continued care;
To Thee presenting, through Thy Son,
Whate’er we have or own.
4. Our lips and lives shall gladly show
The wonders of Thy love,
While on in Jesu’s steps we go
To see Thy face above.
Charles Wesley
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Again, as is usual for Wesley's hymns, there are more verses. Cyberhymnal has them:
5. Our residue of days or hours</idle musing>
Thine, wholly Thine, shall be;
And all our consecrated powers
A sacrifice to be:6. Till Jesus in the clouds appear
To saints on earth forgiven,
And bring the grand Sabbatic year,
The jubilee of Heaven.