Thy holy wings O Savior, Spread gently over me And let me rest securely Through good and ill in thee. Oh, be my strength and portion, My rock and hiding place, And let my every moment Be lived without thy grace. We sang this hymn a few weeks ago in my parish. I led the worship so prayed these words at four different services over the weekend. Both the tune and the deep meaning of the lyrics lingered in my soul like a pleasant fragrance and a warm hug. The words are based on Matthew 23: 37: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing.” The other Bible verse reflected in this hymn is Psalm 91:4: "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge." The image of Christ as a hen gathering us under his wings is both soothing and also unusual for me. You too? … [Read more...]
Meet Sylvia Dunstan
Ever hear of Sylvia Dunstan? I hadn’t until I noticed her name at the bottom of a Lenten hymn, we sang at church a few weeks ago. The words from Bless now, O God, the Journey were meaningful, especially the last line. Here is one verse: Bless now, O God, the journeyThat all your people makeThe path through noise and silenceThe way of give and takeThe trail is found in desertAnd winds the mountain roundThen leads beside still watersThe road where faith is found. We find faith while we journey, not only when we finally make it to our destination. Our path winds through noise, silence, give, take, deserts and mountains. It’s all part of life, ever shaping us. As the hymn concluded, I wondered who wrote these powerful words – Sylvia Dunstan. Then I noticed it: (1955-1993) She was younger than me and what? She died so young? I knew I wanted to learn more about this writer of words that won my soul. Canadian Sylvia Dunstan told others her love of music came from her … [Read more...]
Hark, the Glad Sound Hymn Story
“Hark, The Glad Sound” was the first hymn we sang this year during our church’s midweek Advent Service. I noticed it also is the first hymn listed in our hymnal in the Advent section. I knew this song but didn’t know much about its author and enjoying learning the hymn stories behind our church music. Its words present wisdom and insight for our Advent time too. Philip Doddridge wrote this hymn in 1735. Do you know anything about him? I didn’t and was surprised to learn he composed more than 400 hymns in all, Most of his music wasn’t published but was created for and intended for his congregation, generally to accompany his sermons. His congregation didn’t use hymnals, but instead had someone sing the hymn line by line from the pulpit with the congregation repeating each line in turn. I was also amazed on how old Hark the Glad Sound was - created almost 300 years ago. Doddridge was born in London, June 26, 1702. He was the youngest of 20 children and at birth … [Read more...]
Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song – Hymn and a Prayer
Hymns are beautiful forms of worship and moments of prayer. Often, I just say, not sing, hymn lyrics when being with God. This practice deeply connects me with that song plus gives me wonderful expressions that help me articulate what I want to say to God through cries for help, praise, lament, comfort, desire, and love. Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song was a new hymn for me when we sang at our synod assembly a few weeks ago. I stopped singing just to breathe in the words. I closed my eyes and listened deeply. I worshipped. I prayed. Later I wrote them out in my journal and have used them in my morning devotion. “Those who sing, pray twice” has always been one of my favorite sayings. I think those who pray songs, sing twice! This hymn was originally composed in French by “Les petites soeurs de Jésus” ("The Little Sisters of Jesus"). The tune is a little hard to follow which probably explains why we haven’t sung it much in church, but I do love the words. Such … [Read more...]
Lift Every Voice and Sing – Hymn Story
Lift Every Voice and Sing is one of the hymns sung in my church. Just a side note: my local parish just recently resumed in-person worship gatherings – yes, masks and social distancing - but no singing due to the aerosol projection making it unsafe – and wow, do I miss the singing but for the sake of others, we don't. I knew this hymn but never knew its story until it became part of the news stories last month. Here is the song in case you don't know it: Lift Every Voice and Sing Story Lift Every Voice and Sing was written by James Weldon Johnson and what a life of accomplishment, creativity, service, and leadership he gave our country. He surely used the gifts that God gave him in many ways. Johnson was a civil rights activist, writer, composer, politician, educator and lawyer. Born in Florida in 1871and he was the first African American to pass the bar exam in Florida. After graduating from Atlanta University, Johnson worked as a principal in a grammar school and … [Read more...]
Paying Attention When God’s Speaks – Come thy Fount of Every Blessing
I wasn't paying attention. The spiritual practice of paying attention is a key way to open your heart and ears when God speaks. But last week during the worship portion of Speak Up conference, I allowed distractions to take me away from the moment of praise and attuning to the Lord. If fact, I stewed critically about the old, out of date words in the hymn on the screen before me. I loved the melody, but my heart scrutinized the lyrics in what I believed to be old fashioned "what in it for me?" narrow-focused terms. I silently mouthed the first two verses with aimless alertness. Then God surprised me with tears when I sang the next verses. Immediately I was present, before him. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God… How His kindness yet pursues me Mortal tongue can never tell… Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O … [Read more...]
O Come, O Come Emmanuel Hymn Story
O Come, O Come Emmanuel is one of the favorite Advent hymns sung in many churches. The haunting tune and pensive lyrics invite us into this holy season. Instead of a long blog post today, just pause. Read the words of this well known song. See what stirs in your soul. Talk with God about what you experience. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem, unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, and give them victory o'er the grave. Refrain O come, O Key of David, come and open wide our … [Read more...]
In the Bleak Midwinter – Hymn Story
Quick quiz: Do you know the hymn “In the Bleak Midwinter”? Do you know who wrote it? This song called to my heart this Advent, so I thought I would explore it. Come along with me. Often when a word, phrase or like this a song resonates in my heart, stirs my spirit, invites me closer – I pay attention. I talk with God about it. I sit quietly, holding the gift in my open hands, listening to its lesson or just enjoying its presence with its Creator. Who Wrote “In the Bleak Midwinter”? Poet Christina Rossetti wrote the words of this hymn. She lived from 1830 to 1895 and originally published this as a poem called “A Christmas Carol.” Rossetti never married and lived quite independently. She used her poems and words to bring attention to issues of the day, such as slavery, animal experimentations and sexual exploitation of young women. She was often sick and without much money, but devoted her life to her family, her faith, and ministry with former prostitutes. Quite a … [Read more...]