Hymns and church songs with stones, rocks, or related ideas

 Rocks in songs and hymns

A previous post listed important Bible passages about stones or rocks, chosen from a few hundred occurrences in the Bible. This post lists songs and hymns that include the word stone, or the word, rock, or a related idea.

“Rock of Ages”

“The Lord’s Our Rock, in Him we hide”

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” includes the phrase “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” This comes from 1 Samuel 7:12 “Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Yahweh helped us until now.”

“My Hope is built on nothing less” has this phrase: “On Christ, the solid rock I stand …”

“Behold the Sure Foundation Stone” -- note: I am not familiar with this one, but an on-line search turned it up, so I included it.

“A Wonderful Savior is Jesus, My Lord,” includes the phrase “He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock.”

Thanks for reading, and, possibly, singing or humming.

Rivers in songs and hymns

I recently posted on the word "river," in the Bible. In this post, I'll remind readers that the word, "river," or a word related to rivers occurs in songs used in worship and praise. The theology of some of these songs may be questioned, but they have had, and will have, their uses.

Down by the Riverside. 

Shall we gather at the River.

When they ring the golden bells begins with "There's a land beyond the river ...," and has, as part of the chorus, "In that far off sweet forever, Just beyond the shining river, When they ring the golden bells for you and me."

"On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," written by Samuel Stennett.

"Like a River Glorious."

"When Peace, Like a River."

Oh, now I see the Cleansing Wave," which has "The cleansing stream I see, I see" as part of the chorus.

"Down by the River to pray" is much newer than the songs mentioned above. So is "Because He Lives," which includes the phrase, "I'll cross that river ..."

Thanks for reading. Sing, if you are so inclined.

What God hath promised, by Annie Johnson Flint

1. God has not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God has not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Refrain:

But God has promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love.

2. God has not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He has not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

3. God has not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain rocky and steep,

Never a river turbid and deep.

What God Hath Promised, by Annie Johnson Flint, 1919, public domain. 9 9 9 9. Modernized by changing "hath" to "has."

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 543

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to someone else:

The Arts: An article in Relevant that says that true art points to God.

Christianity: Relevant tells us that we, who can read this, are rich, and indicates how rich we are.

An essay on the virtues of old hymns, by a worship leader who used to disrespect them.

Ken Schenck finishes a series on the sacraments. He affirms the usefulness of several sacraments, and suggests some other activity that may bring some people closer to God. "But God can use anything to transform us."

Computing:  Wired tells us how a young mother was one of the most important pioneers in computer programming, and in the US Space Program.

Gizmo's Freeware has published a list of the best free Android apps.

Gizmo's Freeware has also noted a free utility for clearing the Windows print cache, without having to re-boot, etc.

Politics: Benjamin L. Corey says that the Bible commands us to bless Muslims, as well as Israel, and gives Biblical evidence.

Science: (sort of) NPR reports on how astronauts use the toilet, with a video (you won't see anything that you shouldn't) to explain what happens.

Sports: A video of an amazing football reception.


Image source (public domain)

Let Party Names No More

    Let party names no more
      The Christian world o'erspread;
    Gentile and Jew, and bond and free,
      Are one in Christ, their Head.

    Among the saints on earth
      Let mutual love be found;
    Heirs of the same inheritance,
      With mutual blessings crowned.

    Let envy, child of hell!
      Be banished far away:
    Those in sweet fellowship should dwell,
      Who the same Lord obey.

    Thus will the Church below
      God's purpose ever prove;
    Where streams of endless pleasure flow,
      And every heart is love. - My source is here. This source says that the words were by a Benjamin Beddome, who died in 1795, which makes this public domain. The words may be sung to the tune usually used for "Blest be the tie that binds," and other tunes with appropriate meter.

Behold, what wondrous love and grace, by William Sanders (1821)

Behold, what wondrous love and grace!
When we were wretched and undone,
To save our ruined, helpless race,
The Father gave His only Son!
Of twice ten thousand gifts divine,
No gift like this could ever shine.

Jesus, to save us from our fall,
Was made incarnate here below;
This was the greatest gift of all—
Heaven could no greater gift bestow:
On Him alone our sins were laid;
He died, and now the ransom’s paid.

O gift of love unspeakable!
O gift of mercy all divine!
We once were slaves of death and hell,
But now we in His image shine.
For other gifts our songs we raise,
But this demands our highest praise.

Praise shall employ these tongues of ours
Till we, with all the hosts above,
Extol His Name with nobler powers,
Lost in the ocean of His love:
While angel choirs with wonder gaze,
We’ll fill the heavens with shouts of praise.

This hymn is about the greatest Christmas gift of all. See here for the Cyberhymnal page, which plays a tune for these words. However, they can also be sung to the tune for "Faith of our Fathers." The tune is named "St.Catherine." Another tune, probably less familiar, is "Selena." That tune is used for "O Love Divine, What Hast Thou Done," by Charles Wesley.

I would recommend changing the 5th and 6th lines of the 1st stanza to this:

Of all the gifts that might have been,
This was the best to give to men.

Thanks for reading. God's blessings at this and all seasons.

"May this house be filled with praise"

Blessed God, we bow in worship
May this house be filled with praise,
As we turn our eyes on Jesus
Dwell upon His earthly days.
With His blood He paid the ransom,
Broke our fetters, set us free,
Blessed Saviour, Thy salvation
Saves for all eternity*.

Voices then we all lift heavenward
To the Lord of all Supreme
And like one of old in Scripture
In the temple in a dream.
Cherubim are there before Him,
Seraphim surround and sing,
O this wonder of all wonders
Jesus now is Lord and King.

This poem was written as a hymn. It may be sung to Galilee, or other 8.7.8.7D tunes. “Jesus Calls Us” is a hymn sung to that tune. Words by Franklin Hunter, 2002, but, according to this source, “released into the public domain.”

*I suggest changing these two lines to:
Blessed Saviour, we should praise You,
Praise for all eternity.

Thanks for reading.

Alive when the sun has cease to provide energy

The fires of the sun shall be quenched at last,
And the steadfast stars be gone;
But souls of the ransomed shall live in strength,
And they still shall be going on.

Refrain:
Going on, going on,
They still shall be going on;
Forever and aye, through eternal day,
They still shall be going on.

As souls that remember and feel and thrill,
We shall live when seas are dry;
As separate beings, to love and will,
We shall live, nevermore to die.

From glory to glory our path shall be,
And from grace to perfect grace;
Through all the wide years of eternity,
We shall look on our dear Lord’s face.

Refrain revised: Going on, going on,
We still shall be going on;
Forever and aye, through eternal day,
We still shall be going on.

- "Going On," by Jessie Brown Pounds, public domain, written about 1900.

At this time, of course, it was impossible for Ms. Pounds to know about the nuclear reactions that provide the energy that we rely on so much. But no matter -- that first verse is a remarkable thought!

The Only Argument we Need -- The Only One that has any Merit

The following poetry was assembled by me, based on three hymns, or gospel songs, which are in the public domain:


Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For sinners such as I?

Chorus: I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior's Name,
Salvation through His blood.

My tears of grief can not repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self away
'Tis all that I can do.

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
My cross for You each day;
Oh, live your life in me, O Lord,
For this, O Christ, I pray.

It can be sung to any hymn tune which is in 8.6.8.6 meter. The three songs it is based on are "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place," generally sung to the tune Landas; "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed," sung to the tune Liberty Hall; and "Lead Me to Calvary," sung to the tune Duncannon. (The links will play these tunes for you.)

Not only do we need no other argument or plea to thwart the punishment that we deserve for our sin, but Christ's sacrifice, validated by His resurrection, is the only one that has any merit -- the only way to pay sin's penalty.

Thanks for reading!

My Song is Love Unknown, by Samuel Crossman

One of our daughters introduced me to this song:

My Song is Love Unknown

My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take frail flesh and die?

He came from heaven's* throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men were lost*, and none
The matchless* Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.

They shout* and want to* have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from death* might free.

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

The words were written by Samuel Crossman. The Cyber Hymnal page for the song is here. That source says that the words were written in 1664, so the words are public domain, and I have modernized a few of them, as indicated by the asterisks. See the link for the original words, which include two more verses.

I was not familiar with the tune given by the Cyber Hymnal, but the words may also be sung to the tune known as Darwall, or Darwall's 148th. Here's a link to another hymn with that tune. It could also be sung to about 40 other tunes with 6.6.6.6.8.8, or 6.6.6.6.4.4.4.4 meter.

Thanks for reading!

"Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart" by George Croly

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as You are;
And make me love You as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies;
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Teach me to feel that You are always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

For You have bid me love You, God and King,
All, all Your own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see Your cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek You, and O let me find!

Teach me to love You as Your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,
My heart an altar, and Your love the flame.

George Croly, 1854, Public Domain. Sung to Morecambe, by Frederick C. Atkinson, 1870. Public Domain.

I altered a few words, changing all archaic pronouns ("Thee," "Thou," and an "art" to "are," which removes a rhyme. However, I believe the meaning is still present, and more so to us 21st-century readers.

I thank the Cyberhymnal, which is my main source of information on this, and other, hymns. The link allows you to hear the tune.

Thanks for reading.

A hymn of repentance, by Charles Wesley

Weary of wandering from my God,
And now made willing to return
I hear and bow me to the rod
For thee, not without hope, I mourn:
I have an Advocate above
A Friend before the throne of love.

O Jesus, full of truth and grace
More full of grace than I of sin
Yet once again I seek Thy face:
Open Thine arms and take me in
And freely my backslidings heal
And love the faithless sinner still.

Thou know’st the way to bring me back
My fallen spirit to restore
O for Thy truth and mercy’s sake,
Forgive, and bid me sin no more:
The ruins of my soul repair
And make my heart a house of prayer.

The stone to flesh again convert,
The veil of sin again remove;
Sprinkle Thy blood upon my heart,
And melt it by Thy dying love;
This rebel heart by love subdue,
And make it soft, and make it new.

Give to mine eyes refreshing tears,
And kindle my relentings now;
Fill my whole soul with filial fears,
To Thy sweet yoke my spirit bow;
Bend by Thy grace, O bend or break,
The iron sinew in my neck!

Ah! give me, Lord, the tender heart
That trembles at the approach of sin;
A godly fear of sin impart,
Implant, and root it deep within,
That I may dread Thy gracious power,
And never dare to offend Thee more.

This hymn of repentance is one of over 250 found on the Charles Wesley page of NetHymnal.org. I have never heard it sung, but music which has accompanied the text may be found at the hymn's own page. The last stanza, I hope, speaks for me.

A Communion Hymn by Charles Wesley

With solemn faith we offer up
And spread, O God, before Thine eyes
That only ground of all our hope,
That precious, once-made Sacrifice,
Which brings Thy grace on sinners down,
And perfects all our souls in one.

Acceptance through His holy Name,
Forgiveness in His blood we have;
But more abundant life we claim
Through Him Who died our souls to save,
To sanctify us by His blood
And fill with all the life of God.

As it were slain behold Thy Son,
And hear His blood that speaks above;
Oh let us all Thy grace be shown,
Peace, righteousness, and joy, and love:
Thy kingdom come to every heart,
And all Thou hast, and all Thou art.

This hymn, evidently intended to be used for Communion services, is one of over 250 on the Charles Wesley page of NetHymnal.org. I have never heard it sung. You can hear music designed for this hymn on its own page, here.

Thanks for reading. God bless you!

A New Year Hymn by Charles Wesley

Sing to the great Jehovah’s praise!
All praise to Him belongs:
Who kindly lengthens out our days
Demands our choicest songs.

His providence hath brought us through
Another various year:
We all with vows and anthems new
Before our God appear.

Father, Thy mercies past we own;
Thy still continued care;
To Thee presenting, through Thy Son,
Whate’er we have or own.

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.

Our residue of days or hours
Thine, wholly Thine, shall be;
And all our consecrated powers
A sacrifice to be:

Till Jesus in the clouds appear
To saints on earth forgiven,
And bring the grand Sabbatic year,
The jubilee of Heaven.

This is one of over 250 hymns on the Charles Wesley page of NetHymnal.org. Here is the page for this particular hymn, which I have never heard sung.

Happy New Year! God bless you. Thanks for reading.

My Heart is Full of Christ, by John Wesley

My heart is full of Christ, and longs
Its glorious matter to declare!
Of Him I make my loftier song,
I cannot from His praise forbear;
My ready tongue makes haste to sing
The glories of my heavenly King.

Fairer than all the earth-born race,
Perfect in comeliness Thou art;
Replenished are Thy lips with grace,
And full of love Thy tender heart:
God ever blest! we bow the knee,
And own all fullness dwells in Thee.

Gird on Thy thigh the Spirit’s sword,
And take to Thee Thy power divine;
Stir up Thy strength, almighty Lord,
All power and majesty are Thine:
Assert Thy worship and renown;
O all redeeming God, come down!

Come, and maintain Thy righteous cause,
And let Thy glorious toil succeed;
Dispread the victory of Thy cross,
Ride on, and prosper in Thy deed;
Through earth triumphantly ride on,
And reign in every heart alone.

Praise to Christ is certainly important at this, and all times. This hymn by Charles Wesley, which I have never heard sung, is one of over 250 on his page at NetHymnal.org. This is the page for this hymn.

Thanks for reading. A blessed season to you!

A Mostly Forgotten Christmas Hymn, by Charles Wesley

Where is the holy Heav’n-born Child,
Heir of the everlasting throne,
Who Heav’n and earth hath reconciled,
And God and man rejoined in one?

Shall we of earthly kings inquire,
To courts or palaces repair?
The nation’s Hope, the world’s Desire,
Alas! we cannot find Him there.

Shall learning show the sinner’s Friend,
Or scribes a sight of Christ afford?
Us to His natal place they send,
But never go to see their Lord.

We search the outward Church in vain,
They cannot Him we seek declare,
They have not found the Son of Man,
Or known the sacred Name they bear.

Then let us turn no more aside,
But use the light Himself imparts,
His Spirit is our surest Guide,
His Spirit glimmering in our hearts.

Drawn by His grace we come from far,
And fix on Heav’n our wistful eyes,
That ray divine, that orient star
Directs us where the Infant lies.

See there! the newborn Savior see,
By faith discern the great I AM;
’Tis He! the eternal God! ’tis He
That bears the mild Immanuel’s Name.

The Prince of Peace on earth is found,
The Child is born, the Son is giv’n;
Tell it to all the nations round,
Jehovah is come down from Heav’n!

Jehovah is come down to raise
His dying creatures from their fall,
And all may now receive the grace
Which brings eternal life to all.

Lord, we receive the grace and Thee,
With joy unspeakable receive,
And rise Thine open face to see,
And one with God for ever live.

This hymn, which I have never heard sung, is one of over 250 on the Charles Wesley page of nethymnal.org. You can hear music which has accompanied the text at the hymn's own page.

Thanks for reading. A blessed Christmas!