Wordwise Hymns

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Also see 30+ Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing in your church. As others have contributed ideas, this wonderful resource has grown to over 80 items now. And, for more than three dozen reasons why congregations should still use hymn books rather than merely projecting words on the wall, see The Value of Hymn Books.

Words: Lelia Naylor Morris (b. Apr. 15, 1862; d. July 23, 1929)
Music: Lelia Naylor Morris

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Lelia Morris)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org

Note: Ohio church organist and hymn writer Lelia Naylor gave us many fine songs. In 1881 she married Charles Hammond Morris. This is the reason in some song books she is called Mrs. C. H. Morris.

It’s frustrating to make a purchase, then find that the product isn’t what we needed, or doesn’t work as promised. But our annoyance may be compounded when we learn from the seller “there are no returns” on the product.

On the other hand, it’s encouraging when we’re told, before putting out the money, that the store or company policy is “Satisfaction guaranteed.” Essentially, this is a promise that, if the customer isn’t satisfied, the item can be returned and a full refund will be given.

Beyond the issue of who bears the responsibility, an important factor of public relations (“P. R.”) is involved. What will the customers tell their friends? And how will this affect the business’s bottom line later on? In the first instance, we may warn others not to do business there. In the second, we more likely will tell our friends how fair and helpful they’ve been to us.

Some larger companies, restaurant chains, car dealerships, and so on, have a whole department responsible for public relations. Their job is listening to customers, and communicating with everyone about what they have to offer, and how concerned they are that customers are happy with their product or service. We see television commercials along that line. They may even include actual customers telling us how well the company treated them, and how satisfied they are with their purchase.

The Bible uses various forms of the word “satisfied” many times. Sometimes, it points to what is not satisfying, particularly because its benefits aren’t lasting. But also, human nature being what it is, we can often become dis-satisfied with the things of this life. All we want is more. “The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing” (Ecc. 1:8). “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity” (Ecc. 5:10).

But more often the biblical theme is a positive one–about the soul satisfaction found in God, and of the abundance of blessings in and through Him.

“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness” (Ps. 107:9).

“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Ps. 145:16).

“I will bless You while I live…my soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips” (Ps. 63:405).

“Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” (Ps. 90:14).

The Lord Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10).

“[God] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).

“He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Tit. 3:5-6).

And “God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (II Cor. 9:8).

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’” (Jn. 6:35).

All of this raises the question: Why do so many insist on looking elsewhere to find fulfilment and satisfaction in life? “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?…Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live” (Isa. 55:2-3). In spiritual and eternal terms, abundant satisfaction is found in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone.

Published in 1905 is a song by Lelia Morris called Nothing Satisfies but Jesus. It expresses the truths discussed above.

CH-1) Nothing satisfies but Jesus,
Bread of life to mortals giv’n;
May His presence now refresh us
Like the morning dew from heav’n!

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus;
Take the world, but give me Jesus;
To satisfy with every blessing,
His love and peace my soul possessing;
To all beside my heart replies:
There’s naught but Jesus satisfies!

CH-2) Since I heard the voice of Jesus,
Since mine eyes beheld the King,
All my love, my heart’s affection,
All I have to Him I bring.

CH-3) With His joy my heart is thrilling,
All my hope in Him I see;
Doubt and gloom and fear dispelling,
Christ is all in all to me!

Questions:
1) What are some of the areas in which Christ brings satisfaction beyond what the world can offer?

2) What are some reasons many search for satisfaction elsewhere?

Links:
Wordwise Hymns (Lelia Morris)
The Cyber Hymnal
Hymnary.org