A Net in Time

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hymns

A Hymn of Glory Let us Sing

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Ralph Vaughan Williams provided the harmony for A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing from the original Latin. This song I found as I leafed through Lift Up Your Hearts (amazon affiliate link).  I don’t know a lot of the songs in this hymnal but the tune of this one looked familiar and it was!  The words good and ergo I am sharing them with you.  I hope you enjoy them as well 

A Hymn of Glory Let us sing, text on the background of mountains and cloud

Lyrics

I checked a couple of hymnbooks we have and found the generally only four verses are sung.  The original tune has seven verses. 

A hymn of glory let us sing
New songs throughout the world shall ring
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Christ, by a road before untrod
Ascendeth to the throne of God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand
Alleluia, Alleluia.
And with His followers they see
Jesus’ resplendent majesty
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

To whom the angels drawing nigh,
Why stand and gaze upon the sky?
Alleluia, Alleluia.
This is the Savior, thus they say.
This is His noble triumph day.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Again ye shall behold Him so,
As ye have today seen Him go.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
In glorious pomp ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O grant us thitherward to tend
And with unwearied hearts ascend,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Unto Thy kingdom’s throne, where Thou
As is our faith, art seated now,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Be Thou our Joy and strong Defense,
Who art our future Recompense,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
So shall the light that springs from Thee
Be ours through all eternity,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O risen Christ, ascended Lord,
All praise to Thee let earth accord,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Who art, while endless ages run,
With Father and with Spirit One,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

History of A hymn of Glory let us sing

The original author has been lost over the course of time, but Benjamin Webb translated it from the Latin into English.  An English clergyman who was recognized at the leading authority in ecclesiastical art, he also served a curate in various churches in England. 

What Can We Learn?

Since hymns are a great way to learn more of who God is and how we can best praise him, what can we learn from A hymn of Glory Let us sing?

I was struck by this stanza : new hymns throughout the earth shall ring.

Isn’t that just the case?  Throughout Christian history new songs of worship have been created.  Some on purpose, and some that just slip out of people’s mouths as they consider the wonder of the Lord God.  In fact in some churches a battle rages between hymns and praise/worship songs.  We need to consider the truth though.  God will raise up worship from his people.  His glory draws it out of us. 

How it is drawn out depends on the person it is coming from. Songs that bring praise to God are being written all across the spectrum even today.  So if we are greeted by a song we don’t know, but it truly brings praise to God, let’s sing it out. See new ways to praise God.  Contemplate the wonders of our Lord and give him all the praise. 

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD … Psalm 40:3.

Come Ye Faithful Raise the Strain

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Come, ye faithful, raise the strain is an old song, written by John of Damascus.  A man who delightfully became serious about faith in his middle age.  See…there’s hope for all to realize the truth of who God is!  Rather cool eh?  🙂 This is a lovely song showing the joy we find in Christ’s work and resurrection. 

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain

Lyrics

Come, ye faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness;
God hath brought forth Israel
Into joy from sadness;
Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yoke
Jacob’s sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.

’Tis the spring of souls today;
Christ has burst His prison,
And from three days’ sleep in death
As a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From His light, to whom we give
Laud and praise undying.

Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts,
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem,
Who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains
Jesus’ resurrection.

Neither might the gates of death,
Nor the tomb’s dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal
Hold Thee as a mortal;
But today amidst the twelve
Thou didst stand, bestowing
That Thy peace which evermore
Passeth human knowing.

Alleluia! now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb’s dark portal;
Alleluia! with the Son,
God the Father praising,
Alleluia! yet again
To the Spirit raising.

Author and History

John of Damascus was born John Monsur, a member of an Arab Christian family living in Damascus.  He became embroiled in a conflict over the use of icons within the orthodox church.  In the end his thought process won out, so icons are used within the Orthodox church.  He not only dealt with icons, but a”codified the practices of Byzantine chant, and wrote about science, philosophy, and theology“. (source)

He lived a life of wealth and power until his 40’s when he gave away his wealth and power and retreated to a monastry.  Most of the songs he made centred around the Incarnation. 

Learning from this hymn

Can you see the history of this hymn?   The walk through the Old Testament and then the joy of Christ’s death and resurrection.  The sheer joy of Christ the Immortal king.  The joy of it!  Out of such extreme sadness of captivity to this unmitigated joy. 

But Jesus, he beat death!  And not only that, the 12 he taught, they spread the news.  They taught his message, and so Christ’s message of peace was bestowed upon humankind. 

Saviour, Thy Dying Love

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Saviour thy dying love, a quiet song of worship.  A person seeing what Christ did for him/her and wanting to give something back to the Lord.  This worshiping person works through what they can give, to the Lord who died, and now sustains their feeble faith.   A great song to offer to the Lord.

saviour, thy dying love

Lyrics

Savior, Thy dying love
Thou gavest me.
Nor should I aught withhold,
Dear Lord, from Thee.
In love my soul would bow,
My heart fulfill its vow,
Some offering bring Thee now,
Something for Thee.

O’er the blest mercy seat,
Pleading for me,
My feeble faith looks up,
Jesus, to Thee.
Help me the cross to bear,
Thy wondrous love declare,
Some song to raise, or prayer,
Something for Thee.

Give me a faithful heart,
Likeness to Thee.
That each departing day
Menceforth may see
Some work of love begun,
Some deed of kindness done,
Some wanderer sought and won,
Something for Thee.

All that I am and have,
Thy gifts so free,
In joy, in grief, through life,
O Lord, for Thee!
And when Thy face I see,
My ransomed soul shall be
Through all eternity,
Something for Thee.

Sylvanus Phelps penned this lovely hymn in 1862.  It was originally entitled “Some­thing, my God, for Thee.”  He lived 1816-1895.  A Con­nec­ti­cut boy he was educated at Brown University in Rhode Island. He pastored at First Baptist in New Haven, Rhode Island.   

We know of four hymns that he wrote.  Hemarried and had a son who went on to become a preacher, author and professor.

Comments

I love the words of this hymn, a lovely song of worship, recognizing what Christ gave to us, and what we in turn give to him. 

These words strike me everytime I sing this song.

My feeble faith looks up,
Jesus, to Thee.
Help me the cross to bear,

This is me. My feeble faith needs the Lord.  Without him my faith struggles to survive. But Christ sustains, and the end result of that, is want to find a way to live my life for him.  Don’t you find the same?  

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

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I have sung When I Survey the Wondrous Cross for way to many years.  I’m not meaning that in a bad way.  It’s just so familar I have most of it memorized.   Another Isaac Watts song for you to enjoy. 

When I survey the wondrous cross

Lyrics

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

To Christ, who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.

This first youtube video is a tune I don’t often hear, but I thought it was a pretty tune and therefore thought you all might like it too, or perhaps it’s a version that YOU are familiar with. 🙂

History

lsaac Watts is the author of this lovely hymn.  According to the Center for Church Music, this song was written for a communion service. It was originally called “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ”.

Watts lived from 1674 to 1748.  Born in Southampton, England he became a Congregational Minister. He wrote at least 750 hymns over his lifetime. He enjoyed teaching more than preaching, and loved to train people.  Preaching to a particular denomination leaning was not his interest.

He eventually took a job as a private tutor for the Hartopps, and through them got to know the Abneys. Watts lived with the Abneys for a large portion of his life. 

Comments

The lyrics I found in the Cyber Hymnal contained five verses that I am very familiar with.  The sixth verse is a new one to me. It’s one of the things I find fascinating with looking at the hymns. Different tradition use different verses to sing, and sometimes they add new ones, change the words, or alter the tune. 

This song is no different.  Watts wrote a fourth stanza he expected would get left out, and two other verses were later added.  I remember a conversation I had with someone on facebook.  He understood the desire of people to update hymns to today’s linguistics, but as an author he felt bad for the people who wrote the songs.  What would they think of the words they wrote being changed?

I don’t know that Watts would have minded, since he changed some of the words himself. (visit the center of church music to learn more)  It just might be something we want to be cognizant of when we change music to suit our present day sensibilities and understandings.   It would not harm us to learn the meanings of unfamiliar words and learn to praise God using them, now would it?

Other Isaac Watts Songs:

Better is One Day

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I have SEARCHED for hymns with the word better in it. And even though cyber hymnal had some suggestions, I didn’t know a one of them, wasn’t crazy about the words, and couldn’t find them on youtube either.   Feeling dissatisfied I turned to a couple of musical friends.  One person suggested Better is One Day by Matt Redman. 

Better is one day

Lyrics

How lovely is Your dwelling place
O Lord Almighty
My soul longs and even faints for You
For here my heart is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask, and I would seek
To see Your beauty
To find You in the place Your glory dwells
Your glory dwells

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

A Matt Redman song, I don’t know if this song was inspired by Psalm 84 or not by the words are there: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.   (NIV)

I chose this song to go with the Write 31 days challenge. There’s a few of us in this challenge, everyone with a different approach, it’s rather neat to read through them.  You can meet all the writers!

Isn’t it good though?  To consider the goodness of being in God’s presence and how it supercedes all other possibilities?  Even if only for one day.   It’s better the other options.

I have to admit, sometimes I struggle with that idea.  Struggle to understand the majesty and beauty of God.  But the scriptures would have us know this, otherwise why would God let the Psalmist write such words?  Worth considering eh?

Reach Out Thine Hand

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Today’s Write 31 Day Challenge word is Reach.  I found this song entitled Reach Out Thine Hand.  To reach implies action, either on your part and/or on the part of another.  When you reach the desire to grab on to something.  Hold that thought while you read the words of this hymn.

reach

Lyrics

Reach out Thine hand, my Savior dear,
I long to feel Thy presence near;
When Thou art near, my soul is blest,
In Thee I find sweet peace and rest.

Refrain

O Savior dear, reach out Thine hand,
And by Thy side, O let me stand,
Till Thou shalt say, Enough, My child,
No longer face the tempest wild.

Reach out Thine hand and take me in,
And let me now Thy favors win;
I’m sorely tossed upon the sea,
I long to hide myself in Thee.

Refrain

How oft I’m tempted on the way,
And foes surround me every day;
O Savior dear, reach out Thine hand,
And lead me to the Beulah land.

Refrain

Reach out Thine hand, and hold me fast,
Until the tempests all are past;
Then I shall mount on wings of love,
And reach the promised land above.

Refrain

reach out thine hand

Comments

There are no youtube videos for this song.  Not a single one. I did manage to find the sheet music for it though. 

Holland L Boyd is actually a fairly recent hymnist.  This American started releasing his music in 1915, and wrote about 40 songs.  This particular one he dedicated to Miss Elgil Bradford of Alabama.  Other than that we don’t know a whole lot about him.  

But did you read the words?  Isn’t this a lovely plea?  Calling out to the Lord to hang on tight, while temptations and storms surround.  Oh… lovely words.  I wonder why it’s not sung any more?

Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious

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I will freely admit that I am not familiar with this hymn at all, but the Write 31 day challenge word for the day is Notice.  I couldn’t find a hymn with the word notice in it, but a synonym of notice is look!   Look, Ye Saints!  The Sight is Glorious points us toward the Lord, commanding us to notice him. 

Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious

Lyrics

Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious:
See the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious,
Every knee to Him shall bow;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow,
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.

Crown the Savior! angels, crown Him;
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
In the seat of power enthrone Him,
While the vault of heaven rings;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown the Savior King of kings,
Crown the Savior King of kings.

Sinners in derision scorned Him,
Mocking thus the Savior’s claim;
Saints and angels crowd around Him,
Own His title, praise His name;
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame,
Spread abroad the Victor’s fame.

Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
Hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station;
O what joy the sight affords!
Crown Him, crown Him,
Crown Him, crown Him,
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!

History

Thomas Kelly is the author of Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious.  Kelly is an Irishman who originally planned to be a lawyer.  Then he came to know the Lord and his focus shifted to ministry. 

Originally an Anglican priest he eventually became one of the dissenters.  Over the course of his lifetime he wrote some 760 hymns.   He lived was born in 1769 and died 1855.  He was known to be a friend of good men, as a excellent biblical critic, and for his piety.  

Comments

I read the words to hymn and I have to ask myself… do I really take the time too look and notice the Lord?  Have I really noticed what happened when he died? 

But then see it… See how Jesus wasn’t left on his own.  He was alone, but yet he wasn’t alone.  Notice how the angels were gathered round.  We know they were at the tomb.  I know, I know… it’s a bit fanciful.  We aren’t told in scripture that as the soldiers scorned and mocked that the angels were there to be mindful of the Lord Jesus. 

Do we really notice the station that Jesus holds?  His is no longer lonely human, suffering with man on earth, but instead is full of kingly, heavenly glory.  NOTICE him!  See him there.  This is the Jesus that we worship!

notice = look