My Faith Looks Up to Thee

This is a beautiful a cappella rendition of a favorite, old-time hymn. Enjoy!

The Story Behind All People That on Earth Do Dwell

William Kethe (, the author of the words to the hymn "All People That on Earth Do Dwell, was a Scottish clergyman forced to flee during the reign of "Bloody Mary", the Catholic queen who persecuted Protestants. His travels took him first to Germany and then to Geneva, Switzerland, where John Calvin was teaching and preaching.

John Calvin promoted the use of Psalms and other Scripture songs for worship. The Genevan Psalter, which he initiated, was published in 1562. Among the 150 Psalms were 25 by William Kethe, including Psalm 100. When he returned to Scotland in 1561, he took the Psalter with him. All of his Psalms were included in the 1564 version of the English Psalter.

The front piece to the 1618 Genevan Psalter

Louis Bourgeois (c.1510-1560), the composer of the tune The Old Hundredth,was a French composer who was the lead tune collector for the Genevan Psalter.

All People That on Earth Do Dwell

This stirring hymn is the first one in our church's hymnal. It was also played at Westminster Abbey for the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. Enjoy!

Children of the Heavenly Father

This is a beautiful hymn about God's tender care for us, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. What a comfort as we walk through this life.

Just As I Am

A beautiful hymn emphasizing our complete need for and reliance on God.

The Story behind From All That Dwell Below the Skies

From All That Dwell below the Skies is Isaac Watt's paraphrase of Psalm 117.
O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.

The Psalms were originally written to be sung. Many of them include musical notations. While the music has long since been lost, the words, as all of the Lord's words, have endured.

Watts believed that King David was divinely inspired to write many of the Psalms but also argued that David didn't fully understand the truths about which he wrote. We now, after Christ, can see the Psalms in all of the fullness of their meanings. He believed that the Psalms should be "imitated in the language of the New Testament." (from his 1719 metrical psalter).

From All That Dwell below the Skies

Another great hymn by Isaac Watts, one of the most beloved hymn writers.

The Story behind When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Isaac Watts, one of the best-loved hymn composers, began his prolific career at an early age. He complained to his father that the staid Psalms sung at that time in churches were not inspirational enough. His father challenged him to write his own church music, which he did.

Isaac penned this hymn in 1707 in preparation for a communion service. In its day, it was controversial - the first hymn to use a personal pronoun and to involve a personal religious experience. Such hymns were known as "hymns of human composure".

The hymn was first published under the title "Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ", as titles at that time summarized the theme of the hymn. There is also a fourth stanza that was so gory in its nature for its time that Watts said it could be deleted if need be. Thus, most of us have never sung it.  
His dying crimson, like a robe, 
Spreads o'er His body on the tree: 
Then am I dead to all the globe, 
And all the globe is dead to me.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

One of the most beloved hymns of Holy Week and Good Friday - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Rejoice, Again I Say Rejoice

Charles Wesley was no stranger to persecution. As the founder of the Methodists along with his brother John, he endured much ridicule for, what was at the time, his unusual ways of worship. Many of his fellow believers experienced persecution. Is it curious, then, that he chose to write a hymn calling on Christians to rejoice?

Not so. Paul wrote the book of Philippians, especially chapter 4:4 which this hymn is based on, while in prison in Rome. He himself had been beaten, stoned and had his life threatened numerous times.

But this rejoicing isn't a call to throw a party. This is a rejoicing in the Lord. A deep, abiding, hopeful trust in his care for us. Philippians 4:4-7 says this:
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; ⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our rejoicing comes from a life of prayer and trust. We come to the Lord with thanksgiving for all he has done for us and with our petitions. We lay aside all anxiety and, in doing so, Christ fills us with peace. For this, we rejoice. We have a sovereign God who is in control of every aspect of our life - good or bad.

There is no better reason to rejoice than that.

Rejoice, the Lord is King! 
 Your Lord and King adore; 
 mortals, give thanks and sing, 
 and triumph evermore. 
 Lift up your heart, 
 lift up your voice; rejoice; 
 again I say, rejoice. 

2. Jesus the Savior reigns, 
 the God of truth and love; 
 when he had purged our stains, 
 he took his seat above. 
 Lift up your heart, 
 lift up your voice; rejoice, 
 again I say, rejoice. 

3. His kingdom cannot fail; 
 he rules o'er earth and heaven; 
 the keys of earth and hell 
 are to our Jesus given. 
 Lift up your heart, 
 lift up your voice; rejoice, 
 again I say, rejoice. 

4. Rejoice in glorious hope! 
 Jesus the Judge shall come, 
 and take his servants up 
 to their eternal home. 
 We soon shall hear 
 th'archangel's voice; the trump of God 
 shall sound, rejoice!

 

The Story behind Rejoice, the Lord Is King

The text for this majestic hymn by Charles Wesley first appeared in his brother John's book Moral and Sacred Poems in 1744. In 1746, Charles published it as one of 16 selections in Hymns for Our Lord's Resurrection. It originally had six verses.

The hymn is based on Philippians 4:4. "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." The early Methodists experienced much persecution and hardship and Charles wrote this hymn, based on Paul's words penned while to prison, to encourage them.

The composer of the tune most associated with the hymn, John Darwall, first published the tune with the words of Psalm 148 in 1770. G.F. Handel wrote a tune specifically for this hymn in 1750 and published in 1826 by Samuel Wesley, Charles' son.

Rejoice, the Lord Is King

A beautiful hymn for this season of the year.

The Story Behind Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

This hymn has obscure beginnings. We do know that it was written by Robert Lowry, a well-known hymn writer, in 1876. Lowry, a Baptist minister and professor at Lewisburg (Bucknell) University, wanted to be known more as a preacher than as a hymn writer. He would have rather preached a sermon to an appreciative audience than to write a hymn. Yet, more than 100 years after his death, what Lowry is best remembered for is his many popular and well-loved hymns. Nothing But the Blood of Jesus is among these.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus was first introduced at a camp meeting in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Ocean Grove was established in 1869 as a place of spiritual retreat and revival and a place to escape the summer heat of northeastern cities. Over the years, many famous hymn writers came to Ocean Grove, including Fanny Crosby, William Kirkpatrick, and Eliza Hewitt, as well as Robert Lowry. Ocean Grove still hosts many famous preachers and speakers, as well as musical artists.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

'Twill Be My Theme in Glory

I'm a storyteller by trade. I love to tell stories. Give me your ear (or eye, as the case may be) and I'll give you a story. It doesn't take much to trigger a story idea.

Yet the most beautiful story that has ever been told, that can ever be told, is the story of Jesus and his love. We can never get enough of that story - the story of our salvation.

        I love to tell the story,   it did so much for me;   and that is just the reason   I tell it now to thee. 

It's more than a story, isn't it? It's the truth! It's fact, not fiction. You can hang all your hope on it, because every word is the Word of God.

        I love to tell the story,   'twill be my theme in glory,   to tell the old, old story   of Jesus and his love.

This is the song we'll sing in glory for all eternity. Jesus and his love will always be in our minds and on our tongues.

        And when, in scenes of glory,   I sing the new, new song,   'twill be the old, old story   that I have loved so long.

       I love to tell the story,   'twill be my theme in glory,   to tell the old, old story   of Jesus and his love.

This is a story that we can't keep to ourselves. It's a story that begs to be shared - with every tribe, every nation, every tongue.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Romans 10:14

Each time we hear it or we tell it, it becomes even more beautiful than it was before.

        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.

Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story. Acts 11:4.

The Story Behind I Love to Tell the Story

The author of this hymn, Katherine Hankey, was raised in a Christian home. She organized Sunday school for the poor and disadvantaged. At only 30 years old, in 1866, she suffered from a serious illness and an extended recovery time. While she convalesced, she wrote a lengthy poem on the life of Christ. The first section, composed of 50 verses, gave us the hymn "Tell Me the Old, Old Story". It was titled The Story Wanted. The second section, titled The Story Told, brought forth the hymn "I Love to Tell the Story".

Katherine herself wrote music for both of the hymns. They never gained popularity with those tunes. William Doane wrote another tune for "I Love to Tell the Story". The hymn received the tune we know today when William G. Fischer, a Philadelphia musician and piano dealer composed the music.

I Love to Tell the Story

This classic hymn is a favorite of many. Enjoy!

When I in Awesome Wonder

When dark clouds begin to gather in the west, we often sit in our glass-enclosed sun room. It's like being outside without being outside. The lightning flashes, the deep echo of the thunder sounds, and the rain slashes at the roof. Awesome. Powerful. Wonderful. Chills zip through you as you sit and watch.

Who made the storm which displays such potent wonder? The Lord speaks through the storms.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

The writer of Psalm 19 puts it this way:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

The Lord created the storm with its awful majesty so that there will be none without excuse. We can come to know a little something of our Creator through his amazing creation and we can worship the One who spoke the universe into being.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

He doesn't display himself only in the storm. As Moses found, He can be known in the quiet, too, and in the simple things of nature.

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!


The most powerful way the Lord speaks to us is through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross to atone for our sins and through his powerful rising from the dead to conquer death forever.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1, 2

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

And when we ponder the great love the Father has for us, our only response is:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee:
How great thou art! How great thou art!

Then will come that glorious day when we will bow at the Lord's feet and sing his praises through all eternity.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

They held harps given them by God and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Revelation 15:2b-4

The Story Behind How Great Thou Art

Carl Boberg, a young Swedish pastor, was inspired to write this poem in 1885 after he was caught in a sudden thunderstorm. The lightning flashed, the wind blew and the rain poured down. Once the storm had passed, the birds sang again.

Pastor Boberg never intended the poem to become a hymn. Imagine his surprise when he heard his poem being sung at a church service to the tune of a Swedish folk song.

The poem was translated into German and Russian. Stuart K. Hine and his wife, English missionaries to the Ukraine, heard the hymn sung in Russian and translated the three verses into English. Mr. Hine added the fourth verse upon his return to England upon the outbreak of WWII.

The hymn gained popularity when George Beverly Shea sang it almost nightly at the Billy Graham evangelistic crusades in the 1950s.

How Great Thou Art

This week's hymn is a favorite of many. Chris Rice does a beautiful job, simply singing this song.