My Heart Has Found Its Rest in Christ
Before my restless heart was found,
To worldly treasures it was bound.
The will that seemed so free within
Availed me nothing but to sin.
Posts for the ‘Hymn Texts’ Category
What Love Is This
While at Together for the Gospel 2006, Bob Kauflin led us in singing "How Sweet and Aweful is the Place." I had neither read this beautiful text by Isaac Watts nor sung the Irish melody it was set to, ST COLUMBA. Nevertheless, both of them remained stuck in my mind for the days that followed.
I found the hymn on The Cyber Hymnal and began to read and sing it often. The middle three stanzas struck me:
While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
Lord, why was I a guest?
“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”
’Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.
This led to extended meditation on the sovereign love of God that pursued me, called me, drew me, all while I was yet a spiritually dead sinner that hated God. This theme (and this tune) filled my mind one afternoon and forced me to sit down and pen a text on the theme of God's love to this tune.
David helped me polish the last verse of the text. I pray this blesses your hearts and helps the church to celebrate the redeeming love of God in Christ.
I Love You, Christ, My Crucified
This is one of the earliest hymns that I wrote. I believe the occasion was Good Friday, meditating on "the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
I Once Was Ignorant of Grace
In the tradition of songs like “And Can It Be,” this song articulates a Christian’s journey from one who is “ignorant of grace” to one comes to know God’s grace shown at the cross, then to one who will forever weep and sing because of God’s mercy. In verse one we remember our spiritual condition before God called us - we did not understand the grace of God (Colossian 1:6) even while enjoying the benefits of God’s goodness to humanity in general (Matthew 5:45). We were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1) and needed new hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). But God began his work when he opened our eyes to see our true condition before him and the wonder of grace that he would still give His Son for rebels like us. Because of the cross we need not shrink back before a holy God but may admire, love, and approach Him, thanking Him for giving us our savior, Jesus. And that thanksgiving will overflow into song as we forever remember the Lamb of God who was slain for us (Revelation 5:9).
The Fury of the Wind, The Raging of the Sea
This text is the fruit of contemplating a week in Biloxi ministering amongst Hurricane Katrina damage, anticipating the landing of Hurricane Rita, and mediating on some passages in Job 37-42.
This text has also been set to a modern tune.
He is Altogether Lovely
This text is based off of Jonathan Edwards' sermons "The Excellency Of Christ" from Revelation 5:5-6 in which he discusses the "admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies in Christ." It is an extended meditation on the "meekness and majesty" that meet in Jesus Christ.
Praise God Who Gave this Day to Me
This is a hymn intended to be sung in private or family worship at the start of each day. It reminds us of the great truths of Romans 5:1 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" and Romans 8:1 "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" which we are so prone to forget. It is easy to begin our day living as if the gospel were not true; as if we needed to earn favor or acceptance from God by our performance. We demonstrate this attitude when we feel dejected by God, far from God, or are oblivious to God's presence with us. We must start our day preaching the truth to ourselves that we are accepted and free before God only because of what Jesus has done for us.
Awake, My Dear Brethren
This hymn for ministers of the Gospel was adapted from a text found in "Primitive Hymns".
O Weary Saint
O weary saint is a song written particularly for those facing despair at the prospect of their own death or upon the death of a loved one. We are convinced that death is one topic that Christians don’t sing enough about; not what lies beyond death – the glories of heaven – but death itself. Even though Christians have the assurance that death has been conquered and its sting removed (1 Corinthians 15:54-57), we still face physical death and the fears and sorrows that accompany it. This song allows us to confront our grief but offers the encouragement of how Christ can transform it into hope so that we do “not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Notice that the song is written in a chiastic structure – the second verse is the crux through which the gloom and despair of the first verse are transformed into faith and hope of future promises. O believer, since you are in Christ you will rise again one day in soul and body to everlasting joy!
