Wednesday, November 20, 2024
A gloss does not a meaning make
Ought to, you should—or You will know?
Away in a Manger
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head;
the stars in the heavens looked down where He lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
2 The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven, to live with Thee there.
Anonymous
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
I thought I had posted on this in the past, but apparently not. You can read all the history about it you want by searching on the web, but the short story is that it was long attributed to Martin Luther. But, there is no record of it anywhere before the 1800s in the United States. There is no German precursor and it certainly doesn't read like Luther! The Wiki has a good round-up of the history.
</idle musing>
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
It ain't the law, kids
Tozer for Tuesday
All My Heart This Night Rejoices
1. All my heart this night rejoices,
As I hear, far and near, sweetest angel voices;
Christ is born, their choirs are singing,
Till the air, everywhere, now their joy is ringing.
2. Hark! a voice from yonder manger,
Soft and sweet, doth entreat, Flee from woe and danger;
Brethren, come; from all that grieves you
You are freed; all you need I will surely give you.
3. Come, then, let us hasten yonder;
Here let all, great and small, kneel in awe and wonder,
Love Him who with love is yearning;
Hail the star that from far bright with hope is burning.
Paul Gerhardt
Trans. by Catherine Winkworth
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
This one has a whole bunch more verses. As usual, cyberhymnal has the most complete version.
2. For it dawns, the promised morrowThat's a lot of verse.
Of His birth, who the earth rescues from her sorrow.
God to wear our form descendeth;
Of His grace to our race here His Son He sendeth.3. Yea, so truly for us careth,
That His Son, all we’ve done, as our offering beareth;
As our Lamb who, dying for us,
Bears our load, and to God, doeth in peace restore us.6. Ye who pine in weary sadness,
Weep no more, for the door now is found of gladness.
Cling to Him, for He will guide you
Where no cross, pain or loss, can again betide you.7. Hither come, ye poor and wretched:
Know His will is to fill every hand outstretchèd;
Here are riches without measure,
Here forget all regret, fill your hearts with treasure.8. Blessèd Savior, let me find Thee!
Keep Thou me close to Thee, cast me not behind Thee!
Life of life, my heart Thou stillest,
Calm I rest on Thy breast, all this void Thou fillest.9. Thee, dear Lord, with heed I’ll cherish;
Live to Thee and with Thee, dying, shall not perish;
But shall dwell with Thee for ever,
Far on high, in the joy that can alter never.10. Forth today the Conqueror goeth,
Who the foe, sin and woe, death and hell, o’erthroweth.
God is man, man to deliver;
His dear Son now is one with our blood forever.11. Shall we still dread God’s displeasure,
Who, to save, freely gave His most cherished Treasure?
To redeem us, He hath given
His own Son from the throne of His might in Heaven.12. Should He who Himself imparted
Aught withhold from the fold, leave us broken hearted?
Should the Son of God not love us,
Who, to cheer sufferers here, left His throne above us?13. If our blessèd Lord and Maker
Hated men, would He then be of flesh partaker?
If He in our woe delighted,
Would He bear all the care of our race benighted?14. He becomes the Lamb that taketh
Sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.
For our life His own He tenders
And our race, by His grace, meet for glory renders.
</idle musing>
Monday, November 18, 2024
Really, I'm a good king! And here's proof…
God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen
1 God rest you merry, gentlemen,
let nothing you dismay,
remember Christ our Savior
was born on Christmas Day
to save us all from Satan's pow'r
when we were gone astray.
Refrain:
O tidings of comfort and joy,
comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
2 From God our heav'nly Father
a blessed angel came
and unto certain shepherds
brought tidings of the same;
how that in Bethlehem was born
the Son of God by name. [Refrain]
3 "Fear not," then said the angel,
"Let nothing you affright;
this day is born a Savior
of a pure virgin bright,
to free all those who trust in Him
from Satan's pow'r and might." [Refrain]
4 The shepherds at those tidings
rejoiced much in mind,
and left their flocks afeeding,
in tempest, storm, and wind,
and went to Bethlehem straightway,
this blessed Babe to find. [Refrain]
5 Now to the Lord sing praises
all you within this place,
and with true love and brotherhood
each other now embrace;
this holy tide of Christmas
all other doth deface. [Refrain]
18th century trad. English Carol
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
Amazingly, this is only in about 120 hymnals. Everytime I see or hear this carol, I think of the Barry McGuire version w/his gruff voice. Oh, and note the punctuation. It's God rest you merry and then gentlemen; the gentlemen aren't merry. They are supposed to rest in the joy that God brings.
</idle musing>
Saturday, November 16, 2024
Book of Books, Our People's Strength
1. Book of books, our people’s strength
Statesman’s, teacher’s, hero’s treasure,
Bringing freedom, spreading truth,
Shedding light that none can measure;
Wisdom comes to those who know thee,
All the best we have we owe thee.
2. Thank we those who toiled in thought,
Many diverse scrolls completing;
Poets, prophets, scholars, saints,
Each his word from God repeating;
Till they came, who told the story
Of the Word, and showed His glory.
3. Praise we God, who hath inspired
Those whose wisdom still directs us;
Praise Him for the Word made flesh,
For the Spirit which protects us.
Light of Knowledge, ever burning,
Shed on us Thy deathless learning.
Percy Dearmer
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
You definitely should take the time to read the author's bio at the link above. Although his hymns were never very popular—this one occurs in about 25–30 hymnals—his other writings were more influential.
</idle musing>
Friday, November 15, 2024
What? Another list?!
Father of Mercies, in Thy Word
1 Father of mercies, in Thy word,
What endless glory shines!
Forever be Thy name adored
For these celestial lines.
2 Here springs of mercy rise
To cheer the fainting mind,
And thirsty souls receive supplies,
And sweet refreshment find.
3 O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight.
And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light.
4 Divine Instructor, gracious Lord,
Be Thou forever near:
Teach me to love Thy sacred word
And view my Savior there.
Anne Steele
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
Although I don't recall ever singing this song, it seems fairly popular, occurring in more than 750 hymnals. The variations are many; even aside from the verses chosen, the wording varies among them. As usual, Cyberhymnal has the most complete version:
2. Here may the wretched sons of want</idle musing>
Exhaustless riches find;
Riches above what earth can grant,
And lasting as the mind.3. Here the fair tree of knowledge grows
And yields a free repast;
And richer fruits than nature shows
Invite the longing taste.4. Amidst these gloomy wilds below,
When dark and sad we stray,
Here beams of Heaven relieve our woe,
And guide to endless day.6. Here the Redeemer’s welcome voice
Spreads heavenly peace around
And life and everlasting joys
Attend the blissful sound.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
They will know it when they see it…
Wake, awake, for night is flying
1 Wake, awake, for night is flying,
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
awake, Jerusalem, at last.
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Come forth, you maidens! Night is past.
The Bridegroom comes! Awake;
your lamps with gladness take!"
Alleluia!
Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord,
whose light has stirred the waiting guard.
2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing.
She wakes, she rises from her gloom,
for her Lord comes down all-glorious,
and strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her star is ris'n; her light is come.
O, come, you Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son.
Sing hosanna!
We go until the halls we view
where You have bid us dine with You.
3 Now let all the heav'ns adore You,
and saints and angels sing before You.
The harps and cymbals all unite.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
where, dwelling with the choir immortal,
we gather 'round Your dazzling light.
No eye has seen, no ear
has yet been trained to hear
what joy is ours!
Crescendos rise; Your halls resound;
hosannas blend in cosmic sound.
Philipp Nicolai
Trans. by Catherine Winkworth
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Popularity isn't everything
The heavens declare thy glory, Lord
1 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord
In every star thy wisdom shines;
But, in the volume of thy word,
We read thy name in fairer lines.
2 Sun, moon, and stars, convey thy praise
Round the whole earth and never stand;
So, when thy truth began its race,
It touch'd and glanc'd on every land.
3 Nor let thy spreading gospel rest,
Till thro' the earth thy truth has run,
Till it has all the nations blest,
That see the light or feel the sun.
4 Great God of righteousness, arise,
Bless the dark world with heavenly light,
Thy gospel makes the simple wise,
Thy laws are pure, thy judgment right.
5 Thy noblest wonders here we view,
In souls renew'd and sins forgiven,
Lord, cleanse our sins, our souls renew,
And make thy word our guide to heaven.
6 Thy noblest wonders here we view.
In souls renewed and sins forgiven:
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew.
And make thy word my guide to heaven.
Isaac Watts
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition