A Net in Time

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hymns

Traditional Easter Hymns

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Easter is just around the corner as I write this post, but really, today, I think today is Easter.   We’ve just had Good Friday where we remember the pain of the cross.   But on Easter we remember the joy of an empty tomb.   Isn’t it an amazing thing to consider that empty tomb and what that means?  Oh glory be!!!!  For me, part of that remembering comes out in the songs we sing on Easter Sunday.  And those traditional Easter Hymns, that I have sung since birth come to mind. 

I thought today I would do something different.  I would share a number of those traditional hymns with you. 

Traditional Easter Hymns

Up from The Grave He Arose!

Up from the grave he arose!   I last shared this hymn with you back in 2016 on my old blog.  Low in the grave he lay.

Luke 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

Because He Lives

Because he Lives.  I shared this hymn with you this past January. 

Ephesians 1:18-23   I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is Risen today, is such a lively upbeat tune isn’t it?  🙂 

I Corinthians 15:3-9  3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Jesus Paid it All

Jesus Paid it all, this such a lovely hymn eh? 

Philippians 2:1-11  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What Are Your Favourite Traditional Easter Hymns?

What hymns do you think I should have focused on for this Easter?  There are so many others out there aren’t they? Songs of praise the speak to the wonder of God sending his son, of that bridge created between us and God. Songs that speak to our sins being covered, that forgiveness we live under.  It’s so amazing what God has done.   What songs do you sing that speak to this? 

My Jesus, I love Thee

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From my hymnal Lift Up Your hearts, (affiliate link) comes my hymn of the week My Jesus, I love thee.  I’ve known this hymn for a long time.  I was surprised to learn that it didn’t start out as a popular hymn.  Keep reading and you’ll learn what caused the change.  

My Jesus I love thee

Lyrics to My Jesus, I love Thee

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree.
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

Author and History

 Will­iam R. Fea­ther­ston was only 16 years old when he penned this hymn.  Sometimes his name is spelled Featherstone.  Born in Montreal, Quebec he travelled to Toronto when he was 16 where he became a believer.  It is believed this Canadian wrote this hymn shortly thereafter. 

He sent the poem to his aunt who had it published as a hymn.  It wasn’t highly popular until evangelist Adoniram. J Gordon discovered the hymn.  He changed the tune of it, and ever since then, it’s been a favourite for many believers. 

Mr. Featherston lived 1846-1875, he died shortly before his 27th birthday.  He was married and had a son John.   We do not know much more about him.  This is the only hymn he wrote. 

Hymntime has an interesting story concerning this hymn. 

Scriptural Reference

I John 4:7-21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

……. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us……. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Thinking Deeper

What a call in this song isn’t there?  The call to have a love that is devoted to Christ.  A love so rich that nothing will stop it. 

I love the assurance that Featherston has eh?  The knowledge he has that he loves God because God first loved him.  This is such a grounding needed in our faith.  It feeds our ability to love God throughout our entire life and to praise him in all things. 

Do you know this Jesus?  Do you love him whole-heartedly and forever like Featherston did?   Ask questions if you want to know more. 

I Serve a Risen Saviour

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I Serve a Risen Saviour, is also known by the title He Lives.   It’s a wonderful song to sing at Easter, but it was next in my hymnal so I figured it’s good to be reminded of our risen saviour any day of the year.  

I serve a risen saviour

Lyrics

I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He’s always near
 
Refrain:
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart
 
In all the world around me I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing will come at last
 
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind
 

Author and History

Presbyterian minister, Alfred  Henry Ackley, was born in 1887 in Pennsylvania. His father taught him music before he headed off to the Royal Academy Music in London.   Later he studied for the ministry at Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland.  

As an ordained Presbyterian pastor he served churches in Pennsylvania and California.   Over the course of his life, he wrote some 1500 songs, some religious, others not. Part of his ministry involved working with evangelists Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver. 

He wrote this song in response to a sermon entitled He Lives. I pulled this quote from hymn stories. 

“Mr. Ackley’s forthright, emphatic answer, together with his subsequent triumphant effort to win the man for Christ, flowered forth into song and crystallized into a convincing sermon on ‘He Lives!’ His keenly alert mind was sensitive to suggestions for sermons, and sermons in song. In his re-reading of the resurrection stories of the Gospels, the words ‘He is risen’ struck him with new meaning. From the thrill within his own soul came the convincing song–‘He Lives!’ The scriptural evidence, his own heart, and the testimony of history matched the glorious experience of an innumerable cloud of witnesses that ‘He Lives,’ so he sat down at the piano and voiced that conclusion in song. He says, ‘The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily.'”

Thinking Deeper

Rev. Ackley wrote this song when inspired by a sermon.  Have you ever been so inspired?   Not maybe to write a sermon, but to really act on what you have heard.  I know of people who hear a sermon and then KNOW they need to go the mission field.  Sermons have inspired me to write letters.  But I wonder… should we leave services inspired to do, and to be MORE?   We’re hearing God’s word explained, we’re with his people, shouldn’t we always be inspired when we leave a church service?  To do good, to be better, to act for God in more ways, and to change wrong ways within? 

Because He Lives

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As I was leafing through Lift Up Your Hearts (affiliate link) I noticed that they only had one verse of Because he Lives posted.  It got me thinking that there were more verses to this song, and that I knew them.   Lo and behold I was right!

because he lives

Lyrics for Because He Lives

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
 
Refrain:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
 
How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and joy He gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain day, because He lives
 
And then one day, I’ll cross the river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns
 
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives
 
I am slowly making my way through this hymnal.

Author and History

Bill and Gloria Gaithers are the authors of this hymn Because he Lives.  The song above tells us that this song was inspired by their song, but as I researched it, I was led to believe otherwise. 

Because he lives came about as the result of pain and hardship in the Gaither family.  Difficulties in life, church, health, and on the political scene, etc.  Turmoil seemed to surround them.   

Apparently, a blade of grass pushing through concrete, coinciding with the birth of her son, helped her recall how God works in creation. God works in creation giving us hope throughout our days on earth.

Sources: 

Who are the Gaithers?  Authors of more than 700 songs of praise including Thanks to Calvary. They are members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Americans, the Gaithers were married in 1962 after they met at Alexandria Monroe High School where they both had teaching jobs.  They are actively involved in the singing and creation of music and work to support families.  Gloria is the founder of Gaither Family Resources.

Lo

Looking Deeper

Often when I hold a baby bunny I am reminded of this lovely hymn from the Gaither’s.  Because you know… it is sweet to hold a newborn baby.  It was sweet to hold my son when he was a baby.  I was so delighted with him!  So much pride and joy and love felt. 

I love how this song puts newborn babies into a bigger context. The context of God’s grace, of his provision, of the certainty provided.  Isn’t that a huge thing?  We so often don’t stop to think about this, do we?   This immense gift from God to us, his children.  Giving us hope for our future. 

Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart

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Oh boy, I played Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart before heading into London the day I wrote this and the tune was running through my head all afternoon. It’s not a bad thing at all, except I don’t know all the words so I found myself either repeating the same verse over and over again, or making up my own words.    Drives my hubby nuts when I do that, but you know what?  As long as you are praising the Lord does it matter if you using the words of the song or not?

Rejoice ye pure in heart

Lyrics to Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart

Rejoice ye pure in heart;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your king.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Bright youth and snow crowned age,
Strong men and maidens meek,
Raise high your free, exultant song,
God’s wondrous praises speak.

Refrain

Yes onward, onward still
With hymn, and chant and song,
Through gate, and porch and columned aisle,
The hallowed pathways throng.

Refrain

With all the angel choirs,
With all the saints of earth,
Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,
True rapture, noblest mirth.

Refrain

Your clear hosannas raise;
And alleluias loud;
Whilst answering echoes upward float,
Like wreaths of incense cloud.

Refrain

With voice as full and strong
As ocean’s surging praise,
Send forth the hymns our fathers loved,
The psalms of ancient days.

Refrain

Yes, on through life’s long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe.

Refrain

Still lift your standard high,
Still march in firm array,
As warriors through the darkness toil,
Till dawns the golden day.

Refrain

At last the march shall end;
The wearied ones shall rest;
The pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blessed.

Refrain

Then on, ye pure in heart!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your king.

Refrain

Praise Him who reigns on high,
The Lord whom we adore,
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
One God forevermore.

Author and History

Edward H Plumtre is the author of Rejoice ye pure in heart which was written in 1865.  The Peterborough Cathedral was hosting the  Pe­ter­bo­rough Cho­ral Fes­ti­val for which this hymn was written. 

Born in London in 1821, he became known as an excellent classical and biblical scholar.  He was well known within the church and the academic community.  Ordained within the Church of England he preached at Oxford and was a professor of pastoral theology at his alma mater King’s College. 

Rev. Plumtre was part of the committee that produced the Revised Version of the bible.  He was also a poet, hymnist, translator (from Greek and Latin classics) and author.   He passed away in 1891. 

Thinking about it

I was very surprised to see how many verses were actually written for Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart.   I grew up with the verses in purple, the hymnal I’m using only recognizes four verses. 

As I read through the verses I can really see the progression you know?  From youth to old, the pure in heart rejoicing in God.  It’s a good thing no?   Oh God is one to be praised!  Whether in good times or bad, he is worthy of all praise and glory. 

O Jesus I Have Promised

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I am about half way through Lift Up Your Hearts, a hymnal that I found on our bookshelves last time I tidied them up. It’s rather fun to go through different hymnbooks and see what songs I know.  Hymnbooks are so different from each other.  Today’s hymn is O Jesus I Have Promised.

I remember singing this hymn throughout my formative years, but it didn’t really strike me until I was in my 40’s.   Thinking about what the words we sing, what we promise when we lift our voices to God. 

Lyrics

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel Thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised
To all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory
There shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
My master and my friend.

O let me see Thy footprints,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in Heav’n receive me,
My Savior and my friend.

This is the tune I grew up with

Author and History

The occasion of a confirmation service for children (daughter and sons) created the impetuous for O Jesus I have Promised to be written.  Joh E Bode was the pastor in Castle Camps parish in Cambridgeshire, England.  This song was written just for them. 

In fact, it became so popular that the leadership in the Church of England told people to stop using it for confirmation services.  🙂   It was published in 1869 in in the ap­pendix of Psalms and Hymns of the So­ci­e­ty for the Pro­pa­ga­tion of Chris­tian Know­ledge.

London born, Mr. Bode became in1841. He not only served as vicar in Castle Camp but also in Westwell, Oxfordshire.    In 1855 he delivered the prestigious Bampton Lectures at Oxford.  These lectures were later published as an anti-Catholicism tract.    He loved to write poetry and had hoped to be the Professor of Poetry at Oxford.  Fellow poet Matthew Arnold beat him out for the position by fellow poet Matthew Arnold. 

He wrote poetry and hymns throughout his life. Only a few of his hymns have withstood the test of time.  This one is his most beloved song. 

I am not familiar with tune at all.

Thinking about this Hymn

Bode didn’t write a whole lot of songs, but this particular hymn has stood the test of time. 

Just see the promises made: 

O Jesus, I have promised
To serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me,
My master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
If Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If Thou wilt be my guide.

The promises made of service, the awareness of who Jesus is, and the forthcoming troubles one gets as a believer.  Nothing to fear if Christ is there. How if we depend upon the Lord, we will stay the course.  

I can clearly see why people would want this for a confirmation Sunday. I would want to sing if I was declaring new faith in the Lord.  But isn’t it a good hymn of praise for like literally anytime?  To remember that Jesus is the guardian of our souls?  It’s a fantastic reminder and a call to our hearts to recall the goodness of the Lord we call our own. 

Lift Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates

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I first posted about this hymn on my previous blog.  Many places that I looked call this an advent hymn.  I don’t know.  I kinda see it, and yet, I kinda see it as something more.  I’ll let you make up your mind about that.  Anyways, let’s learn more about Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates!

Lift up your heads ye mighty gates

Lyrics

Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates,
Behold the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near,
The Savior of the world is here;
Life and salvation doth He bring,
Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing:
We praise Thee, Father, now!
Creator, wise art Thou!

The Lord is just, a helper tried,
Mercy is ever at His side,
His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress,
The end of all our woe He brings;
Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise Thee, Savior, now,
Mighty in deed art Thou!

Oh blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the ruler is confessed!
Oh happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this king in triumph comes!
The cloudless sun of joy He is,
Who bringeth pure delight and bliss:
O Comforter divine,
What boundless grace is Thine!

Fling wide the portals of your heart,
Make it a temple set apart
From earthly use for Heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy;
So shall your sovereign enter in,
And new and nobler life begin:
To Thee, O God, be praise,
For word and deed and grace!

Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to Thee—here, Lord, abide!
Let me Thy inner presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal,
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won!
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to Thy name.

Author and history

Georg Weissel (note the lack of an e on this first name!) was a Lutheran pastor out of Germany.  In his day this area of land was known as East Prussia.  His dad Johann was both judge and mayor of his town, Domnau. 

Being a pastor was a second career for him, he had started off as the rector of a school. After his finished his studies, he became the pastor of the newly built Altrossgart Church in Königsberg in 1623. He remained there until his death in 1635.

Weisel was well-known as a poet, and wrote 20 hymns as well. These hymns he generally wrote to mark the greater festivals of the church year. 

Lift up your heads ye mighty gates, was based on Psalm 24

7 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord strong and mighty,
    the Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is he, this King of glory?
    The Lord Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

Ponderings

Did you know I’ve written songs based on scripture?  Yes I have.  It’s not as easy as it sounds.  And no, I haven’t shared them with more than one person (she helped me write the music for them). 

So I am always amazed at someone who can take scripture and then turn it into a GOOD song. Whether it’s a simple one like last week, or a more complicated one like today. 

Did you take time to read the words of this song?  Following along with Jesus promised, Jesus here?  Then onto Jesus our helper, Jesus will return?  The doctrine in this song is worth looking at.