</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.
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
A healthy soul
Mumble those words! (Tozer for Tuesday)
<idle musing>
Yep! And that's the big beef I have w/the "name it and claim it. Stomp on it and frame it" crowd. (Or as I heard someone else call it, "Gab it and grab it!")
Scripture is not a magic sword to be wielded as we see fit. That's not why it was given. The Holy Spirit is our shield, not some magic recitation of words. Our submission to the Holy Spirit, as Peter says, is what drives the evil one away. And by submission, I mean obedience to the promptings of the Spirit, not submission to some patriarchal system set up by power-hungry (usually) men!
</idle musing>
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky (Tennyson)
1 Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
2 Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
3 Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.
Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.
Alfred Tennyson
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Yes, that Tennyson. I didn't think he had written any hymns, and it turns out that he didn't. According to hymnary.org, "Although Lord Tennyson has not written any hymns, extracts from his poems are sometimes used as such" (John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II, 1907). So now you know.
</idle musing>
Monday, April 29, 2024
Every choice is a renunciation
Father, let me dedicate all this year to thee
1 Father, let me dedicate
All this year to you,
In whate'er my earthly state,
In whate'er I do.
Not from sorrow, pain, or care
Freedom dare I claim;
This alone shall be my prayer:
Glorify your name.
2 Can a child presume to choose
Where or how to live?
Can a father's love refuse
All the best to give?
More you give me ev'ry day
Than the best can claim;
Help me trust you that I may
Glorify your name.
3 If in mercy you prolong
Joys that now are mine,
If on life serene and fair
Brighter rays may shine,
Let my glad heart, while it sings,
You in all proclaim
And, whate'er the future brings,
Glorify your name.
4 If you have for me a cross
And its shadow come,
Turning all my gain to loss,
Shrouding heart and home,
Let me think how your dear Son
To his glory came
And in deepest woe pray on:
"Glorify your name."
Lawrence Tuttiett
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Another Year is Dawning
1 Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee.
2 Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness,
The shining of Thy face.
3 Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.
4 Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
5 Another year is dawning,
Dear Master, let it be,
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee!
Frances R. Havergal
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Saturday, April 27, 2024
O God our help in ages past
1 O God, our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal Home!
2 Under the shadow of Thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages, in Thy sight,
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night,
Before the rising sun.
5 O God. our Help in ages past,
Our Hope for years to come,
Be Thou our Guide while life shall last,
And our eternal Home.
Isaac Watts
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
A nice rousing Isaac Watts hymn! I didn't realize that there were so many different variations in this hymn. As usual, Cyberhymnal has the most:
4. Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,</idle musing>
Return, ye sons of men:
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.6. The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.7. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.8. Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.
Friday, April 26, 2024
What is a saint?
Ten thousand times ten thousand
1 Ten thousand times ten thousand
In sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints
Throng up the steeps of light:
'Tis finished, all is finished,
Their fight with death and sin;
Fling open wide the golden gates,
And let the victors in!
2 O then what raptured greetings
On Canaan's happy shore,
What knitting severed friendships up
Where partings are no more!
Then eyes with joy shall sparkle,
That brimmed with tears of late;
Orphans no longer fatherless,
Nor widows desolate.
3 What rush of alleluias
Fills all the earth and sky!
What ringing of a thousand harps
Bespeaks the triumph nigh!
O day, for which creation
And all its tribes were made;
O joy, for all its former woes
A thousandfold repaid!
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Henry Alford
<idle musing>
Hymnary.org adds a verse:
4 Bring near Thy great salvation,</idle musing>
Thou Lamb for sinners slain;
Fill up the roll of Thine elect,
Then take Thy power and reign;
Appear, Desire of nations,
Thine exiles long for home;
Show in the heavens Thy promised sign;
Thou Prince and Savior, come.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
It's not optional!
Jerusalem the golden
1 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 light beyond compare!
2 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 blessed
Are decked in glorious sheen.
3 O sweet and blessed country,
the home of God’s elect!
O sweet and blessed 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.
Bernard of Cluny (11th century)
Tr. by John M. Neale
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
This hymn, in various forms, appears in about 900 hymnals. Cyberhymnal lists a significant number of additional verses:
3. There is the throne of David,That's way too many verses for people to sing at one time! At least now, anyway. But it makes for good devotional reading...
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.5. 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.6. 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.7. 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.8. 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.9. 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.10. 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.11. 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.12. 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.13. 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.14. 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.15. 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!16. 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.
</idle musing>
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
We intend to communicate
<idle musing>
That's the end of this short little book. I hope you learned something—or at least were reminded of things you already knew.
Next up is a book a friend of mine gave me just prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. It sat on my bookshelf, but then a while ago, I read something somewhere that reminded me that I own the book. So, I picked it up and began to slowly read through it. I hope you enjoy it. The name of the book is —The Holy Longing, by Ronald Heiser.
</idle musing>
For all the saints, who from their labor rest
(second tune) Sine Nomine. 10. 10. 10. with Allelulias.
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
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 strife 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 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!
William W. How
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
We always sang the second tune, the name of which always struck me as funny; sine nomine means "without a name," which by naming it means it isn't without a name any longer. Anyway, I was surprised to find that it is only in about 530 hymnals. Some add another two verses:
6 But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;</idle musing>
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
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!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
A summary of a few Greek particles
Ἵνα introduces a potential state of affairs;
Ὅτι by contrast introduces an actual state of affairs, from the perspective of the speaker;
Ὡς alerts the reader to expect a representation that may not in fact be a true state of affairs;
Καίπερ constrains the logical relations possible with participles;
Γάρ supports previous material
While οὖν asserts the relevance of new material.—Margaret Sim, A Relevant Way to Read, 98
The transforming power of the gospel (Tozer for Tuesday)
On Jordan's stormy banks I stand
1 On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.
There gen'rous fruits that never fail,
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills, and brooks and vales,
With milk and honey flow.
2 All o'er those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.
No chilling winds, nor pois'nous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and fear'd no more.
3 When shall I reach that happy place,
I'll be forever blest?
When shall I see my Father's face,
And in his bosom rest?
Fill'd with delight my raptur'd soul
Would here no longer stay;
Tho' Jordan's waves around me roll,
Fearless I'd launch away.
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Samuel Stennett
<idle musing>
This popular hymn usually breaks the verses above into six verses instead of three. There is also another verse that is sometimes inserted:
2 O the transporting rapt'rous scene,The 1987 Methodist Hymnal also ends each verse with a chorus:
That rises to my sight!
Sweet fields array'd in living green,
And rivers of delight!
Refrain:His bio (linked above) contains this statement, which although probably true isn't exactly what I would hope any bio of me would say if I were a hymnwriter!
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
oh, who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.
His poetical genius was not of the highest order, and his best hymns have neither the originality nor the vigour of some of his grandfather's. The following, however, are pleasing in sentiment and expression, and are in common use more especially in Baptist congregations (a list of hymns follows)</idle musing>
Monday, April 22, 2024
More on οὖν
Sound familiar?
<idle musing>
Let those who have ears, hear! Note the date of publication, over ten years before #45.
</idle musing>
It singeth low in every heart
1 It singeth low in every heart,
We hear it each and all;
A song of those who answer not,
However we may call.
They throng the silence of the breast;
We see them as of yore,
The kind, the true, the brave, the sweet,
Who walk with us no more.
2 ’Tis hard to take the burden up,
When these have laid it down;
They brightened all the joy of life,
They softened every frown.
But, O ’tis good to think of them
When we are troubled sore;
Thanks be to God that such have been,
Though they are here no more!
3 More homelike seems the vast unknown
Since they have entered there;
To follow them were not so hard,
Wherever they may fare.
They cannot be where God is not,
On any sea or shore;
Whate’er betides, Thy love abides,
Our God, for evermore.
John W. Chadwick
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
This hymn only occurs in sixty-four hymnals. Most versions break the verses into two halves—hence the Methodist hymnal's "D" in the meter, which means doubled.
</idle musing>
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Abide with me
1 Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
2 Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
3 I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
4 I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
5 Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Servant of God, well done!
1 Servant of God, well done!
Thy glorious warfare's past;
The battle's fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last.
2 With saints enthroned on high,
Thou dost thy Lord proclaim,
And still to God salvation cry,
Salvation to the Lamb!
3 O happy, happy soul!
In ecstasies of praise,
Long as eternal ages roll,
Thou seest thy Saviour's face.
4 Redeemed from earth and pain,
Ah! when shall we ascend
And all in Jesus' presence reign
With our translated friend!
Charles Wesley
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
Not one of Wesley's more popular hymns, occurring in about 80 hymnals. As usual with hymns by Wesley, there are more verses. Cyberhymnal adds these:
2. Of all thy heart’s desire</idle musing>
Triumphantly possessed;
Lodged by the ministerial choir
In thy Redeemer’s breast.3. In condescending love,
Thy ceaseless prayer He heard;
And bade thee suddenly remove
To thy complete reward.4. Ready to bring the peace,
Thy beauteous feet were shod,
When mercy signed thy soul’s release,
And caught thee up to God.8. Come, Lord, and quickly come!
And, when in Thee complete,
Receive Thy longing servants home,
To triumph at Thy feet.
Friday, April 19, 2024
Context, context, context
Lord, it belongs not to my care
1 Lord, it belongs not to my care
whether I die or live:
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
2 If life be long, I will be glad
That I may long obey:
If short, yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day.
3 Christ leads me through no darker rooms
That He went through before;
He that into God's kingdom comes
Must enter by this door.
4 Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet
Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be?
5 My knowledge of that life is small:
The eye of faith is dim;
But 'tis enough that Christ knows all
And I shall be with Him.
Richard Baxter
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
I wasn't aware that Richard Baxter wrote any hymns, but it appears he wrote about two dozen, this being the most popular one, occurring about 240 hymnals. The American Lutheran Hymnal omits our verse 2 and inserts a different verse later:
4 There shall we end our sad complaints</idle musing>
And weary, sinful days;
And join with the triumphant saints
That sing Jehovah's praise.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
But is it true?
I'll praise my Maker, whilst I've breath
1 I'll praise my Maker, whilst I've breath;
And, when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler pow'rs.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past
Whilst life and thought and being last,
or immortality endures.
2 Happy the man, whose hopes rely
on Israel's God, who made the sky
and earth and seas with all their train.
His truth for ever stands secure,
He saves th' oppress'd, he feeds the poor;
And none shall find his promise vain.
3 The Lord pours eye-sight on the blind;
the Lord supports the fainting mind
and sends the lab'ring conscience peace;
He helps the stranger in distress,
the widowed and the fatherless,
and grants the pris'ner sweet release.
4 I'll praise him, while he lends me breath;
And, when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler pow'rs.
My days of praise shall ne'er be past
Whilst life and thought and being last,
or immortality endures.
Isaac Watts
Alt. by John Wesley
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
I always find it ironic that John Wesley put in the foreword to his hymnals that no one was to tamper with the words of any song he or Charles had written—yet he was only too ready to modify the work of others!
This hymn has a couple of other verses. I'm not sure how much is original to Watts and how much is Wesley's alterations. You can research to your heart's delight by going here.
2 Why should I make a man my trust?</idle musing>
Princes must die and turn to dust;
Vain is the help of flesh and blood;
Their breath departs, their pomp and power
And thoughts all vanish in an hour,
Nor can they make their promise good.5 He loves his saints, he knows them well,
But turns the wicked down to hell;
Thy God, O Zion ever reigns:
Let every tongue, let every age,
In this exalted work engage:
Praise him in everlasting strains.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Actual vs. potential state of affairs (Greek)
O God of love, O King of peace, Make wars throughout the world to cease (hymn)
1 O God of love, O King of peace,
Make wars throughout the world to cease;
The wrath of sinful man restrain,
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
2 Remember, Lord, Thy works of old,
The wonders that our fathers told,
Remember not our sin's dark stain,
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
3 Whom shall we trust but Thee, O Lord?
Where rest but on Thy faithful word?
None ever called on Thee in vain,
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
4 Where saints and angels dwell above
All hearts are knit in holy love;
O bind us in that heavenly chain,
Give peace, O God, give peace again.
Henry W. Baker
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
A very good hymn for our times!
</idle musing>
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Those Greek particles
Who owns whom? (Tozer for Tuesday)
Come Peace of God, and dwell again on earth
1 Come Peace of God, and dwell again on earth.
Come, with the calm that hailed Thy Prince's birth.
Come with the healing of Thy gentle touch.
Come, Peace of God, that this world needs so much.
2 Break every weapon forged in fires of hate.
Turn back the foes that would assail Thy gate:
Where fields of strife lie desolate, and bare,
Take thy sweet flow'rs of peace and plant them there.
3 Bring selfish lives from shadowlands of loss,
Into the radiance of the Savior's Cross.
Where in that gift so precious, yet so lone,
Life finds its brotherhood and love its throne.
4 Come! blessed peace, as when, in hush of eve,
God's benediction falls on souls who grieve:
As shines a star when weary day departs.
Come! Peace of God, and rule within our hearts.
May Rowland
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
I don't recall ever singing this hymn, but I love the sentiments of it—and we especially need this prayer—because it really is a prayer more than a hymn—answered in our world right now.
It wasn't surprising to me that this hymn isn't very popular—peace hymns rarely are. But I was surprised that it only occurs in five(!) hymnals.
</idle musing>
Monday, April 15, 2024
How to recognize irony
In Christ there is no east or west
1 In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
2 In Christ shall true hearts ev’rywhere
their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
close binding humankind.
3 Join hands, then, people of the faith,
whate’er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
4 In Christ now meet both east and west,
in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are joined as one
throughout the whole wide earth.
John Oxenham
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
I've always loved this hymn—yes the tune fits it well, but the theology of it, the broad expanse of inclusion speaks of the wideness in God's mercy, grace, and love. I was surprised to see that it's only in about 325 hymnals.
I also didn't know that John Oxenham is a pseudonymn for William Arthur Dunkerly.
</idle musing>
Sunday, April 14, 2024
God the omnipotent!
1 God, the Omnipotent! King who ordainest
Thunder Thy clarion, and lightning Thy sword!
Show forth Thy pity on high where Thou reignest;
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord!
2 God, the All-Merciful! earth hath forsaken
Meekness and mercy, and slighted Thy word;
Let not Thy wrath in its terror awaken;
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord!
3 God the All-rightous One! man hath defied Thee;
Yet to eternity standeth Thy word
Falsehood and wrong shall not tarry beside Thee;
Give to us peace in our time, O Lord!
4 So will Thy people, with thankful devotion,
Praise Him who sav’d them from peril and sword!
Shouting in chorus, from ocean to ocean,
Peace to th’nations and praise to the Lord!
Henry F. Chorley
John Ellerton
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
What a mess this hymn is! For being a relatively recent hymn and only in 200 or so hymnals, it seems every hymnal has a different set of verses and arranges them differently. Further, I haven't been able to figure out how John Ellerton is associated with the hymn.
Despite all that, it seems a very appropriate prayer/hymn for our times, although I couldn't help but see the irony in the tune being titled Russian Hymn!
</idle musing>
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Break, day of God, O break!
1 Break, day of God, O break!
The night has lingered long,
our hearts with sighing wake;
we weep for sin and wrong:
O bright and Morning star, draw near;
O Sun of Righteousness, appear.
2 Break, day of God, O break!
The earth with strife is worn;
the hills with thunder shake,
hearts of the people mourn:
break, day of God, sweet day of peace,
and bid the shout of warriors cease.
3 Break, day of God, O break,
like to the days above!
Let purity awake,
and faith, and hope, and love.
But lo! We see the brightening sky;
the golden morn is drawing nigh.
Henry Burton
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musing>
And I thought yesterday's was relatively unknown! Today's only occurs in a paltry six hymnals. the author wrote quite a number of hymns, but none of them reached any level popularity. And once again, I don't recall ever singing this one. Maybe tomorrow's hymn will be better known!
</idle musing>
Friday, April 12, 2024
Understanding the intent of the author
There’s a voice in the wilderness crying
1. There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
A call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
A highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
The lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places,
Where the Lord our God may go!
2. O Zion, that bringest good tidings,
Get thee up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
The coming of their King.
Like the flowers of the field they perish,
The works of men decay,
The power and pomp of nations
Shall pass like a dream away.
3. But the word of our God endureth,
The arm of the Lord is strong;
He stands in the midst of nations,
And He will right the wrong.
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,
And fold the lambs to His breast;
In pastures of peace He’ll lead them,
And give to the weary rest.
4. There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
A call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
A highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
The lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places,
Where the Lord our God may go!
James L. Milligan
The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition
<idle musinging>
Well, I'm managing to keep with my tradition of choosing relatively unknown hymns! This one occurs in only about twenty-four hymnals! And I must admit, I don't recall ever actually singing it.
</idle musing>