God of Our Fathers

O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us the work that You did in their days, in the days of old.  You with Your own hand drove out the nations; then You planted them; You afflicted the peoples, then You spread them abroad.  For by their own sword they did not possess the land, and their own arm did not save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of your presence, for You favored them.  Psalm 44:1-4

God of Our Fathers
Daniel Crane Roberts (1841-1907)

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
leads forth in beauty all the starry band
of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,

our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

Thy love divine hath led us in the past;

in this free land by Thee our lot is cast;

be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,

Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,

be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;

Thy true religion in our hearts increase,

Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way;

lead us from night to never-ending day;

fill all our lives with love and grace divine,

and glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

.....

Six years before his death in 1907, Daniel Roberts wrote, "I remain a country parson, known only within my own small world."  This hymn was penned while he pastored a rural church in Brandon, Vermont.  He wrote it in 1876 to commemorate the one-hundredth birthday of the Declaration of the Independence, and it was sung for the first time at Brandon's Fourth of July celebration

Because the people of Brandon enjoyed the hymn, Roberts submitted it to the committee planning the Constitution's centennial celebration.  The committee chose it as the official hymn for the occasion and sent it to the organist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City to compose an original tune.  The new tune, with a dramatic trumpet fanfare, helped to make this hymn unique.

I still get goosebumps remembering the first time I heard the amazing organist at my childhood church play the trumpet fanfare.  

.....

Daniel C. Roberts | Hymnary.org

USNA Pipe Organ, "God of Our Fathers", Ty Thompson - YouTube  (This instrument is impressive.)

God Of Our Fathers by Hammond (George W. Warren) - YouTube (Good sound on this video.  Wait a bit to see ALL the pipes!)

Battle Hymn of the Republic

 ...then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.  For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy that will be abolished is death.  For He has put all things in subjection under His feet.  But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.   1 Corinthians 15:24-27

Battle Hymn of the Republic
Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910)

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword--

His truth is marching on.

Glory! glory, hallelujah!

Glory! glory, hallelujah!

Glory! glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps,

they have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps--

His day is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat,

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgement seat;

O be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;

as He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,

while God is marching on.

.....

Julia Ward Howe wrote these lyrics in the heart of the American Civil War.  She sent the words to the Atlantic Monthly magazine and received an honorarium of five dollars.  But the money wasn't her concern.  Her purpose was to provide some wholesome lyrics for the tune of "John Brown's Body Lies A-Moldering in the Grave."  She accomplished that and more.  When President Abraham Lincoln first heard the hymn, he asked to have it sung again.

The text is filled with biblical allusions.  The expression "grapes of wrath" refers to Revelation 14:19; the sounding trumpet is probably from Revelation 8.  For the Christian, the message of this song is that God's truth is eternal.  Although circumstances may appear overwhelmingly difficult, God will still accomplish His purposes, and His truth will endure.

It can be dangerous to identify political causes of even national patriotism with God's truth.  Nations my rise and fall, but God's truth remains forever.  "His truth is marching on."

.....

Julia Ward Howe | Hymnary.org

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" w/ the Mormon Tabernacle Choir LIVE from West Point | West Point Band - YouTube

How Great Thou Art

 "Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name, because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing."  Isaiah 40:26

How Great Thou Art

Carl Boberg (1859-1940)
Translated by Stuart K Hine (1899-1989)
Copyright © 1953, renewed 1981 by Manna Music, Inc., 35255 Brooten Rd., Pacific City, Or 97135. International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Outside USA: Copyright © 1953 Stuart K. Hine/Kingsway's Thankyou Music, P.O. Box 75, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NM, UK.

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!

When through the words 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,

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,

When Christ shall come with shout of acclimation

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!

.....

Although this hymn is often associated with the crusades of Billy Graham, it originated in nineteenth-century Europe.  In 1886 Swedish pastor Carl Boberg was caught in a sudden thunderstorm whilst visiting a beautiful country estate.  As the storm passed, giving way to the sweet songs of birds and a green countryside glistening in sunlight, Boberg composed the nine original stanzas of this hymn.

In time the hymn was translated into German and Russian.  It was noticed by a British missionary who was serving in the Ukraine.  That missionary, Reverend Stuart K. Hine, often sang the song with his wife as they ministered there.  Later they translated three stanzas into English from the Russian and Hine himself added a fourth.

.....

George Beverly Shea: How Great Thou Art [Live], 1957. - YouTube (That choir! That piano!) #SomedayInHeaven 

How Great Thou Art | Hymnary.org

"How Great Thou Art" - Handbell Choir Ensemble - YouTube  (The bells! The chimes! I've played in quite a few handbell choirs.)

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.  Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen.  1 Timothy 1:15-17

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
Walter Chalmers Smith (1827-1908)

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might.

They justice like mountains high soaring above

Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life Thou livest, the true life of all.

We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

and wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight.

All praise we would render: O help us to see

'tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

.....

The great British hymnologist Erik Routley calls this hymn "full of plump polysyllables."  The hymn was inspired by the apostle Paul's words to young Timothy: "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever" (1 Timothy 1:17, KJV).  The writer of this hymn, Walter Chalmers Smith, was a pastor in the Free Church of Scotland for forty-four years (1850-1894).  Smith wrote many hymns, but this is the only one still in use today.  In our day of casual Christianity and almost flippant prayer, we desperately need to catch glimpses of God's unspeakable character.  In these wonderful stanzas, we who "wither and perish" come face-to-face with or immortal, invisible, unchanging God.  And amazingly, this great God, whom even polysyllables cannot describe, loves us dearly.

.....

Immortal, invisible, God only wise Hymn (+lyrics) - Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day Service 2020 - YouTube

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise - Steve Green - Lyrics - YouTube

Walter C. Smith | Hymnary.org

Walter Chalmers Smith - Wikipedia

ST. DENIO | Hymnary.org

Ancient of Days

 I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool.  His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire.

A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:9-10

Ancient of Days
William Croswell Doane (1832-1913)

Ancient of Days, who sittest throned in glory,

to Thee all knees are bent, all voices pray;
Thy love has blessed the wide world's wondrous story
with light and life since Eden's dawning day.

O holy Father. who has led Thy children
in all the ages with fire and cloud,

through seas dryshod, through weary wastes bewildering,

to Thee in reverent love our hearts are bowed.

O holy Jesus, Prince of Peace and Savior,

to Thee we owe the peace that still prevails,

stilling the rude wills of men's wild behavior,

and calming passion's fierce and stormy gales.

O Holy Ghost, the Lord and the Life giver,

Thine is the quickening power that gives increase:

from Thee have flowed, as from a mighty river,

our faith and hope, our fellowship and peace.

O Triune God, with heart and voice adoring,

praise we the goodness that doth crown our days;

pray we that Thou wilt hear us, still imploring

Thy love and favor, kept to us always.

.....

In 1886, the city of Albany, New York, was celebrating its bicentennial.  Episcopal bishop William Croswell Doane wrote this hymn for the occasion, and J. Albert Jeffery, who was in charge of music at St. Agnes School and the recently completed All Saints Cathedral, wrote the music.  That new cathedral was the setting for the hymn's introduction, and Bishop Doane himself conducted the singing.  It was a memorable day in Albany, as it celebrated its own "ancient days."

But the hymn draws our attention father back, to the majesty of the triune God who existed before all time began.  In stanza one, we see the Ancient of Days, in stanza two the Father who leads us through the wilderness, in stanza three the Son who calms the storms, in stanza four the Holy Spirit who gives life and hope, and in stanza five the triune God who answers our prayers and sustains us day by day.  In all these ways, our great God deserves our praise.  What a wonderful God we serve!

.....

Ancient of Days, Who Sittest Throned in Glory (Ancient of Days) - YouTube [hymn page and piano]

Ancient of Days [Acoustic] - Shane & Shane - YouTube  A different version by Shane & Shane

Ancient of Days (Live) - Ron Kenoly - YouTube  Another rendition with Ron Kenoly.  I've sung this version just like they do here; it was awesome night of praise!  Get your worship on!

William Croswell Doane - Wikipedia

William Croswell Doane | Hymnary.org

Holy, Holy, Holy

And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come."

And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 

the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

 
"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created." 

 Revelation 4:8-11

Holy, Holy, Holy
Reginald Heber (1783-1826)

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy--there is none beside Thee,
perfect in pow'r, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
All Thy words shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

.....

Reginald Heber was always trying to improve the music at the Anglican church he served in Hodnet, England.  Though his superiors frowned on the use of anything but metrical psalms, Heber introduced hymns by Newton and Cowper and even wrote new hymns of his own.  This one would impress Alfred, Lord Tennyson as the world's greatest hymn.

After serving sixteen years as a parish priest in England, Heber accepted the call to become the bishop of Calcutta, India.  Whether in England, as he surveyed the prevalence of vice, or in India, where he was surrounded by the worship of false gods, Heber was impressed with the holiness of God.  "Only Thou art holy," he wrote.  The tune to which this hymn is usually sung is called "Nicaea," named after the church council that met in 325 AD which formulated the Nicene Creed and affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity.

.....

Holy, Holy, Holy - YouTube  [a cappella men's chorus]

Holy, Holy, Holy! - YouTube  [choir, orchestra, the works]

More about Reginald Heber
Reginald Heber - Wikipedia
Reginald Heber | Hymnary.org

About the tune: NICAEA (Dykes) | Hymnary.org (a long (mostly ads) but informative article!)

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove

 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.  Acts 2:2-4

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove,
with all They quick'ning pow'rs;
kindle a flame of sacred love
in these cold hearts of ours.

Look, how we grovel here below,

fond of these earthly toys;

our souls, how heavily they go,

to reach eternal joys.

In vain we tune our formal songs,

invain we strive to rise;

Hosannas languish on our tongues,

and our devotion dies.

Father, and shall we ever live

at this poor dying rate.

Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,

and Thine to us, so great?

Come, Holy Spirit, Heav'nly Dove,

with all Thy quick'ning pow'rs;

Come, shed abroad a Savior's love,

and that shall kindle ours.

.....

Isaac Watts was disturbed with "business-as-usual" Christianity.  He knew that the only way Christians could be shaken out of their lethargy was if they had a fresh touch of the Spirit.  Just as Jesus is described both as a meek lamb and a fearsome lion, so the Holy Spirit is described as both a dove and fire.  Sometimes Christians need to experience the Holy Spirit as a gentle dove, but often we need to know Him as a roaring fire.  

One stanza of this hymn that is often omitted from this hymn is "Father, and shall we ever live at this poor dying rate, our love so faint, so cold to Thee, and Thine to us so great?"  It was this contrast between our love for us that disturbed Watts.  He knew that only the fire of the Spirit could kindle our hearts into deeper love.

Let us pray to seek how the Spirit is working and be ever-mindful of His gentle nudging.  

.....

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (St Agnes) - YouTube (with sheet music)

And now for something completely different: 

Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (ST. AGNES) - YouTube

Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now

 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.  These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.  

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not leat your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

John 14:24-27

.....

Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
German Hymn
Cantionale Sacrum, 1651
Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Lord Jesus Christ, be present now,
our hearts in true devotion bow,

Thy Spirit send with grace divine,

and let Thy truth within us shine.

Unseal our lips to sing Thy praise,

our souls to Thee in worship raise,

Make strong our faith, increase our light

that we may know Thy name aright.

Until we join the hosts that cry,

"Holy art Thou, O Lord, most high!"

And in the light of that blest place

fore'er behold Thee face to face.

Glory to God the Father, Song,

and Holy Spirit, Three in One!

To Thee, O blessed Trinity,

be praise throughout eternity!

.....

There are several ways to answer the question, Where is Jesus?  As God, He is omnipresent and all around us.  He said that He was somehow present in the poor and needy people whom we might meet.  Scripture also speaks of Him sitting at the right hand of God.  This is an honorable place and where He waits for the right time to return to the triumphantly return to earth.  Through His Spirit, He is present in our hearts.

If Jesus is in all these places, why should we invite Him to be present now?  There are several other Scriptures of which you might want to take note.  One verse says that the Lord inhabits His people's praise.  Another says that He would be there where two or three are gathered, each time we worship.  And Christ is in some way present when we observe the Lord's Supper.

This lovely hymn is a call to worship, inviting Christ to inspire, inhabit, and enjoy our praises.  It also serves to remind us that Christ has promised to join us on such occasions.

.....

Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now - YouTube

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  Galatians 5:1-18

Holy Spirit, Truth Divine

Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892)

Holy Spirit, Truth divine,

dawn upon this soul of mine;

word of God and inward light,

wake my spirit, clear my sight.

Holy Spirit, Love divine,

glow within this heart of mine; 

kindle every high desire,

perish self in Thy pure fire.

Holy Spirit, Power divine,

fill and nerve this will of mine;

by Thee may I strongly live,

bravely hear and nobly strive.

Holy Spirit, Right divine,

King within my conscience reign;

be my Lord, and I shall be

firmly bound, forever free.

.....

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the first great American poets, is acclaimed for works like "Evangeline," "The Song of Hiawatha," and "Tales of a Wayside Inn."  About the same time he was penning "Tales of a Wayside Inn," his brother, Samuel Longfellow, was compiling a hymnbook.  Samuel included in this hymnbook a hymn he had recently written called, "Holy Spirit, Truth Divine."  

The hymn itself is one that is acceptable to all Christians.  The Holy Spirit is lauded as truth, love, power, and right.  The last stanza reminds us of the words in the Gospel of John where it says that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.  The Spirit does carry on this  ministry within us as that "still, small voice" that shows us the way.  As Longfellow wrote, may we pray that the Holy Spirit reign as king within our consciences.

.....

HOLY SPIRIT TRUTH DIVINE || MHB 288 - YouTube  Beautiful rendition!

Samuel Longfellow - Wikipedia

Samuel Longfellow | Hymnary.org

Mom's Church Songbooks (full of photos!)

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

May my praise be pleasing to Him;

As for me, I shall rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 104:33-34

[[[This post is full of pictures, so grab a cool beverage and take in all this musical goodness!]]]

My grandma played the piano and organ and led congregational singing; my mom mostly led the congregational singing but played the piano for herself.  She also sang whilst playing said piano and convinced me to sing harmony with her.  Some special memories, for sure.

I found some old songbooks my mom had given me before she became incapacitated by aphasia.  Some were hers and some were her mom's.  Look at these covers!  #oldschool

You'll notice Grandma had two of the black/white/green songbooks in the lower right corner.  I can imagine she had one copy kept in the piano bench at church (you know, where you lifted up the piano bench seat and there was storage underneath) and one she kept on her piano in the parsonage.  That book was published in 1943!

Here is the inside cover:

.....

In the upper middle left is a book of grandma's called "One Hundred Hymns and Gospel Songs" by Frank C. Huston published in 1955.  Here are some images of the inside covers:

That dedication above:  I don't have that nose tickle and a throat lump, not at all.

What joy Mr. Huston must have found in leading people in worship!

More about Mr. Huston: 
 Frank C. Huston - Wikipedia
Frank C. Huston | Hymnary.org
Commander-in-Chief Frank C. Huston (suvcw.org)

.....

Grandma was a Bullet Journaler!  Okay, not in the sense we know today, but she sure listed out some lyrics in the well-worn composition book you see below.

She had two volumes of these composition books and they were kept together.  So much so that the coils have intertwined with each other and have essentially become one book.  I didn't have the heart to take them apart.

        

    

Look at that last picture (above).  She had written out words to "Jesus Loves Me" in two different languages:  Shona and Portuguese.  Grandma and Grandpa were always missions-oriented.  Must be where I get it.

.....

The following booklets are some of the ones my mom had.  They are mostly from the 1970s so you might see some real groovy-ness in these pictures.  Enjoy!  #eyecandy

   

   

.....

   

.....

   

.....

  

,,,,,

Some extra special groovy-ness in the booklet below.  We'd think the book was a steal at $1.25 today!  I sure was fascinated by the embroidery pictured on the cover below.  I made sure it was displayed prominently on my mom's piano.  I secretly wanted that embroidery on a pair of jeans--can you blame me?  I don't remember my mom giggling at my girlishness organization or how many times she secretly gave me the ol' SideEye.  #notfarfromthetree

   

A pic of some groovy 1970s graphics for ya:

Some cool-hair-groovy-ness below:

What conditioner did he use?  Honestly.

   

Check out that last picture above:  "What?  No guitars where you are? No bass? No drums?  Take heart!  They're as close as your music supplier!"

This book was published in 1971 and churches were moving toward using more instruments besides the piano and organ.  Church music had to change with the times whether we liked it or not.

.....

Please share your memories in the comments; I'd love to hear them!

I know I am very much looking forward to spending the rest of eternity singing with the Saints in that heavenly choir, joining my parents and grandparents and great-grandparents along with these amazing men and women who wrote these songs and compiled these collections.

"We're all walking each other Home."

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

 ...but just as it is written, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.  For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
let us Thine influence prove;

source of the old prophetic fire,

fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost, for moved by Thee

the prophets wrote and spoke;

unlock the truth, Thyself the key,

unseal the sacred book.

Expand Thy wings, celestial Dove,

brook o'er our nature's night;

on our disordered spirits move,

and let there now be light.

God, through Himself, we then shall know

if Thou within us shine,

and sound with all Thy saints below,

the depts of love divine.

.....

Two Scripture passages are in this hymn: the very first Biblical reference to the Holy Spirit and one of the last.  Genesis 1:2 finds the Holy Spirit "hovering over the waters" involved in creation.  The earth has just been described as "formless and empty" but the Spirit oversees the ordering of our world.  In the next verse, light shines at God's command and the rest of that chapter details the forming of a creation that God said was "good."

2 Peter 1:19-21 urges the readers to pay attention to the word of the prophets, "as to a light shining in a dark place."  These prophets were inspired by God, "as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

If you are familiar with Charles Wesley, he has included solid theology into this hymn.  The Spirit brings order out of our chaos. He shines light into our dark places.  He does this through the Scriptures.  He unlocks the truth spoken by the ancient prophets so it makes sense in modern times.

.....

Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire - YouTube
tune is called 'St Stephen' - composed by William Jones (1726-1800)

Hymn 261 Come Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire - YouTube
Melody: TALLIS’ ORDINAL (Thomas Tallis, c.1505-1585)
'St Columba' - which is listed as an 'Irish Melody'.

Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - YouTube

Redeemed

 ...knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.  For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  1 Peter 1:18-21

Redeemed

Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915)

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

Redeemed, redeemed,

His child, and forever, I am.

Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,

No language my rapture can tell;

I know that the light of His presence

with me doth continually dwell.

I think of my blessed Redeemer,

I think of Him all the day long;

I sing, for I cannot be silent;

His love is the theme of my song.

I know I shall see in His beauty

the King in whose law I delight;

Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,

and giveth me songs in the night.

.....

I remember singing many Fanny Crosby songs out of the hymnal when I was a child growing up in the church and my mom taught me a bit about her.  Fanny was just a few weeks old when a doctor placed hot poultices on her eyes to draw out an infection.  However, this did not work and Fanny became blind.  She didn't start writing hymns until she was forty years old but she made up for lost time, writing around 8,000 poems that were set to music.  These poems are filled with joy and longing for the Lord.  "Redeemed and so happy in Jesus" is not just a line that sounds good in a hymn, it is the story of Crosby's life.  She may have been blinded to the light of this world, but Fanny Crosby had a light shining in her soul.

.....

More on Fanny Crosby:  

Fanny Crosby Biography | Inspirational Christians

Fanny Crosby › Texts | Hymnary.org

Fanny Crosby - Wikipedia

Redeemed † With Lyrics - YouTube

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.  Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another.  My heart faints within me!  Job 19: 25-27

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Samuel Medley (1738-1799)

Tune: Duke Street

I know that my Redeemer lives:
what joy the blest assurance gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my everlasting Head!

He lives to bless me with His love;

He lives to plead for me above;

He lives my hungry soul to feed;

He lives to help in time of need.

He lives and grants me daily breath;

He lives and I shall conquer death;

He lives my mansion to prepare;

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name;

He lives, my Savior, still the same;

What joy the blest assurance gives;

I know that my Redeemer lives!

.....

Every now and then there is a verse that simply makes my heart sing.  These particular words jump out of the Old Testament and take on new meaning.  Job had lost his fortune, his family, and much of his health.  He displayed a stunning faith and expresses his only remaining hope: "I know my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth."  These words are fulfilled in Jesus!

Jesus gave His life to redeem us, to buy us back from our slavery to sin.  His  death was the price for our freedom.  But hallelujah, because of Easter morning, we can say with Job, I know my Redeemer lives!  He lives!  Death could not hold Him, He lives, to finish salvation's work in me!

The writer of this hymn, Samuel Medley, often repeated words and phrases in his songs.  What is repeated here is the most important concept:  "He lives...He lives...He lives."

.....

I Know that My Redeemer Lives-Easter at Concordia Ev Lutheran Church, Chicago, Spring 2020 - YouTube  (Not a great recording, but you'll get the idea of the song especially if you know this melody)

Nicole C Mullen My Redeemer lives{Official Video} - YouTube  This is one of my favorite versions; I sang this in a trio with my sister and the music minister.  We had a fabulous three-part harmony, I must say.

He Lives! (I Serve A Risen Saviour) - YouTube  Another favorite of mine.  I requested this song be played by the organist after I was baptized.  

Samuel Medley | Hymnary.org  More on the life of Samuel Medley

Staying Salty: Word Study - Propitiation (saltedstudy.blogspot.com)

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna!  BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel."  
John 12:12-13

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Jeannette Threlfall (1821-1880)

Hosanna, loud hosanna

the little children sang;

through pillared court and temple

the lovely anthem rang;

to Jesus, who had blessed them

close folded to His breast,

the children sang their praises, 

the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed

'mid an exultant crowd,

the victor palm branch waving,

and chanting clear and loud;

the Lord of men and angels

rode on in lowly state,

nor scorned that little children

should on His bidding wait.

"Hosanna in the highest!"

that ancient song we sing,

for Christ is our Redeemer,

the Lord of heaven our King.

O may we ever praise Him

with heart and life and voice,

and in His blissful presence

eternally rejoice!

.....

Jeannette Threlfall had not many reasons to praise God.  She was orphaned young, shuttled between relatives, and was injured in an accident and became an invalid.  Yet she remained cheery and faithful and penned many Christian poems and hymns.

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem was a scene of a curious exchange between Jesus and the religious leaders.  A crowd was following Jesus on the donkey waving palm branches and singing, "Hosanna!"  This term, literally meaning "Lord, save us!" was also a cry of praise.

The crowd included a number of children, who were unsurprisingly caught up in the excitement of the day.  The leaders asked Jesus to tell the children to stop this singing.  Surely Jesus wouldn't want innocent children to be guilty of blasphemy?  They asked Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"

Oh yes, Jesus replied, quoting Psalm 8:2, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise" (See Matthew 21:6).

Just like these children, Jeannette Threlfall's life was a cry of hosanna! to her victorious Savior.

.....

Hosanna Loud Hosanna (webstream, 11 AM) - YouTube  Oh the organ!