A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Music

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

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A former slaver wrote Glorious things of Thee are Spoken, a song that speaks to God’s love for Zion and for his people.   I am most familar with the first four stanzas, but the fifth holds truth as well. 🙂  Get to know this Newton hymn, you’ll be glad you did!  🙂

Glorious things of thee are spoken

Lyrics

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t’assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a covering
Showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from our banner
Light by night and shade by day;
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which He gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God.
’Tis His love His people raises,
Over self to reign as kings,
And as priests, His solemn praises
Each for a thank offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name:
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.

this tune I am most familiar with

Author

John Newton wrote this hymn in 1779 for Book 1 of the Olney Hymns.   He collarborated on this hymnal with William Cowper.  How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds is just one of several hymns that Newton wrote. 

Newton intended this songs more “for public worship, and for the use of plain people”.  His evangelical heart yearned to help the poor and to be of service to the people of the church.   (source)   

John Newton is a former slave trader who turned abolitionist.  He loved the church and used music to help teach gospel truths. 

this tune is completely new to me

Pondering more

Based on Psalm 87 (ESV)

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
    city of God:
4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
    and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

7 As they make music they will sing,
    “All my fountains are in you.”

Can you see the words of this Psalm in this hymn?  Does it help you understand Psalm 87 better?   Seeing God’s love for Zion and her people, it’s so apparent in Newton’s hymn. 

Aren’t you glad we can sing?

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name:

In Christ There is No East or West

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I’m sitting here, watching Star Trek Enterprise with my sweetheart, as I try to recall the last time I sung In Christ there is no East or West.  It’s been quite a while.   I hope you take the time to get to know it, it’s a lovely hymn. I was so pleased to be reminded of it in the Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal. 

in Christ there is no east or west

The Lyrics

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.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.

I grew up with this tune

Author of In Christ there is no east or west

William A. Dun­ker­ley is the author of this hymn according to the Cyber Hymnal, other hymnals attribute authorship to John Oxenbaum.  Oxenbaum is one of Dunkerley’s pseudonyms.  So regardless of who it is attributed to, it’s the same person.  🙂

William A. Dun­ker­ley lived 1852-1941, an Englishman. 

This is a new tune to me

Pondering Truth in a Hymn

Do you see it?  I know.. right now with people sequestering themselves away into homes and aways from fellowship with each other it might be hard to see.  BUT without Covid-19 interference, do you see that the church is one great fellowship of love?  We are all part of one body of believers, worshipping the same God.  Whether we are believers in China, Ghana, Europe, Australia or Canada.  One large body of believers. 

We are all gathered around Christ, he is our head, our connecting point.  So regardless of creed, nationality, or colour.  Let us remember that central truth.  We are all believers together. Let’s work together, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord!  Brothers and sisters, one and all, joined in faith. 

I Love to Tell the Story

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Lift up Your Hearts has brought me another wonderful song to share with you.  I love to tell the story can be an upbeat song or a quiet melody of praise remembering the truths we know. 

i love to tell the story

Lyrics

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story; more wonderful it seems
Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams.
I love to tell the story, it did so much for me;
And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

Refrain

I love to tell the story; ’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.

Refrain

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

Refrain

History and Author

Did you know the words from this song come from an old poem called The Story Told?  That poem has some 42 verses, and I love to tell the story has only four so a lot was left out! 🙂   Katherine Hankey is the author.  This particular song comes from the second part of her poem, another song “Tell me the Old, Old Story” comes from the first part of her poem. 

Ms. Hankey was born in London, England in 1834.  Her dad was a wealthy banker.  Part of the “Clapham Sect” along with her father, Katherine wrote her poem during a lengthy illness. The first part is titled, The Story Wanted and was written in January, 1866. The second part, The Story Told, was written in the following November.

The Clapham Sect was a group of wealthy Christians who pushed for the abolition of slavery and promoted foreign and domestic mission work. 

Digging Deeper

Whenever I sing this song I do so with gutso.  I love the melody and the words are easy to remember.  In more serious moments it does cause me to question if I really do.  Do I love to tell the story of Christ, his love for me, and that message of salvation?  Too often I fear I don’t.  It’s just too easy to keep to my own way.   It’s a good reminder to actually push myself a bit.

For All The Saints

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For all the saints is another hymn from the Lift up Your hearts hymnal. I don’t recall singing this lovely hymn very often as I was growing up.  I’m trying to recall where I picked it up… perhaps in the Baptist church I attended for a while.  They had LOVELY hymn sings every month which were a whole lot of fun.  🙂

Lyrics

For all the saints,
Who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith
Before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus,
Be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

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!

O blest communion,
Fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle,
They in glory shine;
All are one in Thee,
For all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

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!

From earth’s wide bounds,
From ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl
Streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father,
Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

This Hymn has many stanzas, to see them all visit The Cyber Hymnal. 

For all the saints

History

Will­iam W. How is the author of For all the Saints.  He was the son of a lawyer and became an Anglican Priest.   He eventually became Bishop of Wakefield.  How was known as the ‘Poor Man’s” bishop.  Author of more than 50 hymns he is known to have said “A good hymn is something like a good prayer—simple, real, earnest, and reverent.” (source)

Thinking Deeper

Can you imagine writing a song with 11 stanzas?  What all would you say in such a song?  Author William How covers saints, evangelists, soldiers, apostles and martyrs. He not only shows the work they do, but the struggles they have. This reminder is given for all these hard-working folks: the King of glory is coming, a better day awaits. 

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

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I was leafing through Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal and saw Christ is Made the Sure Foundation and started singing.  My hubby looked at me oddly since we were also watching a TV show at the time.  🙂   Good to prove to him I can multi-task eh?  🙂

Regent Square, the Tune I grew up singing.

Lyrics

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation,
Pours perpetual melody,
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call Thee,
Come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
With Thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear Thy servants as they pray.
And Thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all Thy servants
What they ask of Thee to gain;
What they gain from Thee forever
With the blessèd to retain,
And hereafter in Thy glory
Evermore with Thee to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One;
Consubstantial, co-eternal,
While unending ages run.

Westminster Abbey, This tune is new to me

History

The author is this lovely hymn is unknown.  It was translated by John M. Neale in 1851 for the hymnal Med­iae­val Hymns.  Generally it is sung to either the tune Westminster Abbey (a new tune to me) or Regent Square (which I grew up with).

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

One of the things that is good to do when considering what song to sing to look at the words.  Consider well the first verse of this lovely hymn. 

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
Chosen of the Lord, and precious,
Binding all the Church in one,
Holy Zion’s help forever,
And her confidence alone.

Isn’t that just good theology?  Seeing who Christ is… chosen of the Lord, his precious one (beloved son). Christ who holds all the church together, one in whom we have confidence. That hope we have in Christ keeps us all-together and reminds of us the help we have in him.  A good song eh?

I love thy kingdom, Lord

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I love thy kingdom, Lord I also know as a shorter song I love your church, O Lord. In the lyrics below I red texted the verses normally found in the shorter song (just change the thee’s and thou’s to you/your).  🙂  It’s a good song of praise, give it a listen!  🙂

i love thy kingdom Lord

Lyrics to I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord

I love Thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of Thine abode.
The church our blessed Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.

I love Thy church, O God.
Her walls before Thee stand.
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And written on Thy hand.

If e’er to bless Thy sons
My voice or hands deny,
These hands let useful skills forsake,
This voice in silence die.

Should I with scoffers join
Her altars to abuse?
No! Better far my tongue were dumb,
My hand its skill should lose.

For her my tears shall fall
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given
Till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

Jesus, Thou friend divine,
Our Savior and our king,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.

Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield
And brighter bliss of Heaven.

Author

Written in 1800 by Timothy Dwight, I love thy kingdom Lord is believed to be the oldest hymn written by an American still in regular use.

Massachutsetts born, this Congregationalist preacher was a grandson of Jonathan Edwards.  Contracting small pox (from receiving an inoculation) affected him all his life, particularly with pain in his eyes.  He could only read for 15 minutes at a time.  Despite this, he wrote songs and manuscripts, served as a minister, was president of Yale, helped found the Andover The­o­lo­gi­cal Sem­in­a­ry, learned Latin, and gained his doctorate of Divinity.   Wiki has much to say about him. 

The tune below I have sung this old hymn too as well, but it is a much less common version. 

Looking Deeper

When I read about Dwight’s handicap and saw all that he had accomplished I was simply amazed.  What a determined fellow he must have been. Dealing with that ever present pain, and yet still doing so much.  Very good of God isn’t it?

As I read the words of this hymn, it was apparent how much Dwight loves the church.  He sees it as the kingdom of God… well that might not be quite right.  He sees God’s kingdom, and the church is a distinct part of it.  Perhaps he could join in with those who mock the church, but doesn’t.  Instead he sees the good of the church. 

It makes me think.  With all the divisions that are in the church do we pray for her?  Do we see the good or do we scoff at the differences?  How do we see the church?  As part of the God’s kingdom as it surely is?  Consider carefully the group of believers that the Lord calls his own.

He Is Lord

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I grew up only singing one verse to this song.  Imagine my surprise when leafing through Lift Up Your Hearts, I saw that there are four verses to He is Lord.   I thought, oh, wouldn’t it be fun to share this old campfire song.  🙂

He is Lord

Lyrics to He is Lord

He Is Lord; He Is Lord
He Has Risen From The Dead
And He Is Lord,
Every Knee Shall Bow,
Every Tongue Confess
That Jesus Christ Is Lord.

He Is King; He Is King
He will draw all nation to him, he is king
And the Time shall be,
When the world shall sing
That Jesus Christ Is King.

He Is Love; He Is Love
He Has shown us by his life
That He Is Love,
All his people sing,
with one voice of joy
That Jesus Christ Is Love.

He Is Life; He Is Life
He Has died to set us free
And He Is Life,
And he calls us all,
to live evermore
For Jesus Christ Is Life.

History

Now it’s known that Marvin Frey is the author of the first verse, who wrote the last three no one really knows. 

Rev Frey, an Oregon native, wrote over 2000 spiritual songs over his life. He was active in the nondenominational Independent Assemblies.   Many of his songs were used in evangelistic meetings.  If you would like to know more about his life, I found an obituary in the NY Times. 

Learning from He is Lord

Sometimes simple songs are more profound than you think they are eh?   Just to remember the Lordship of Christ.   He is Lord and that means something.   The unknown author of the next three verses fill in some of what that means to him.

What does Jesus Christ being Lord mean to you?  It’s a good thing to ponder don’t you think?