We sing hymns in our church, and we love them! Sure, I'm not always hip on the melodies as they can sometimes seem drab. However, the depth of the words are simply overwhelming. I often find myself studying and reflecting upon these words, wishing that time and the singing would halt so that I could reflect upon a single line. Oh that we would think deeply about our God as reflected in the words by these great artists.
If you've not heard of Indelible Grace Music you really should check them out. According to their website, "Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace." Here's a sample sound clip: Come and Welcome. If you're a musician, they even provide sheet music, words, overheads and sample clips on how to play each song in their online hymnbook.
Currently, I'm listening to "To Christ the Lord let Every Tongue". Reflect on this:
A thousand men could not compose
A worthy song to bring
Yet Your love is a melody
Our hearts can’t help but sing!
Amen!
To Christ the Lord Let Every Tongue
1. To Christ the Lord let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring
When He’s the subject of the song
Who can refuse to sing?
Survey the beauties of His face
And on His glories dwell
Think of the wonder of His grace
And all His triumphs tell
2. Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon His awful brow
His head with radiant glories crowned
His lips with grace overflow
No mortal can with Him compare
Among the sons of men
Fairer He is than all the fair
That fill the Heavenly train
3. He saw me plunged in deep distress
He fled to my relief
For me He bore the shameful cross
And carried all my grief
His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head
His presence gilds my darkest hours
And guards my sleeping bed
4. To Him I owe my life and breath
And all the joys I have
He makes me triumph over death
And saves me from the grave
To Heaven the place of His abode
He brings my weary feet
Shows me the glories of my God
And makes my joy complete
5. Since from His bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine
Had I a thousand hearts to give
Lord, they should all be Thine
A thousand men could not compose
A worthy song to bring
Yet Your love is a melody
Our hearts can’t help but sing!
©2001 Laura Taylor Music.
Words:
Samuel Stennett and
Laura Taylor
(2nd half of vs. 5)