At church this evening we sang a John Newton hymn, which I don’t remember ever singing before- “Behold the Throne of Grace”. I enjoyed it immensely so I looked it up once I got home, and have pasted the full poem in below. This is great example of a poetic exposition of scripture with pastoral application. …
My poem of the week last week was a new baptism hymn written by one of my pastors, Justin Wainscott. We really do have a shortage of good baptism hymns, which is odd for Baptists, so I was delighted to see this new hymn from Justin, whose poems I have posted here before. It is …
Some of the best summaries of Reformation teaching are Wesley hymns. My poem of the week this week is Charles Wesley’s “Arise, My Soul, Arise.” We sang this grand hymn this past Sunday in church and I was reminded of what a wonderful summary of gospel truth it is. Arise, My Soul, Arise Arise, my …
Last night at church we sang this simple, old hymn, and it struck me that it too is a wonderful prayer for a new year. Indeed, may I in this year know more of Jesus, grow deeper in “communion with my Lord,” taking His word deep into my heart that I might obey Him more …
For this first week of a New Year, I have chosen this great hymn as the poem of the week. I don’t remember hearing this sung as I grew up, but I heard it beautifully sung while I was in college and it has been a favorite ever since. This is a fitting prayer for …
We sang this wonderful hymn at church yesterday, and I knew I wanted it to be my poem of the week. It beautifully makes the point that the all holy Jesus graciously decided to be a friend for sinners, to love us and redeem us. Then it points out in helpful particularity various ways in …
For this first week of Advent, my poem of the week is this wonderful 7th century hymn that I have only recently come across. I hope you enjoy it as I have. Creator of the stars of night, Thy people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, And hear Thy servants when they call. Thou, …
My poem of the week this week is William How’s magnificent hymn, “For All the Saints.” Sung to Ralph Vaughan Williams majestic tune, “Sine Nomine”- particularly with a good pipe organ- this is one of my favorites- a grand tune reminding us of the great cloud of witnesses about us. I rarely can get through …
My poem of the week this week, is this bold hymn by Johann Michael Altenberg, 17th century German pastor. He wrote this hymn during the turbulent times of war which followed the Reformation, and they seem pertinent today. Be Not Dismayed, Thou Little Flock Be not dismayed, thou little flock, Although the foe’s fierce battle …
I have long appreciated the wonderful hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” It extols the majestic greatness of God in his utter holiness. Recently I was introduced to a new verse written for the hymn. I was singing this familiar hymn along with the congregation when all of a sudden, at the fourth verse, there were new …