Wordwise Hymns

Great to hear from you, Glenn! All the men you mention made an important contribution to 19th century hymnody. But as far as I know, William Bradbury wrote only tunes. That was certainly most of his focus. Philip Bliss and Robert Lowry have this in common, that they often wrote both words and music. (We sang Lowry’s “Shall We Gather at the River” at my mother’s funeral a few years back.) Of those two, Lowry lived to the age of 73, but Bliss was killed in a tragic train accident at the age of 38. For that reason, it’s difficult to compare the output of the two. However, I personally prefer the work of Bliss for its simplicity and devotional depth.

Songs such as “Hallelujah! What a Saviour!” and “More Holiness Give Me” are fine examples. But my favourite is “Jesus Loves Even Me.” I’ve sung it as a solo many times. (The hymn tune Slane works well with the words.) Hymn books often put this in the Children’s Hymns section, but that is a mistake. It is a hymn that should be sung–often–by all of us.

Here are a couple of quotations about the man.

George Stebbins, a gospel musician who knew him, said years later of Bliss: “As to Mr. Bliss’s place among the writers of gospel hymns, it has long been admitted that he occupied a preeminence that still stands unrivalled….There has been no other writer of verse since his time who has shown such a grasp of the fundamental truths of the gospel, or such a gift for putting them into poetic and singable form.”

Evangelist Dwight L. Moody said of him: “I believe he was raised up of God to write hymns for the church of Christ in this age, as Charles Wesley was for the church in his day….He was the most highly honoured of God of any man of his time, as a writer and singer of gospel songs and, with all his gifts, he was the most humble man I ever knew.”

Well, there’s an opinion to chew on! The book P. P. Bliss, Songwriter by William Guest, was first published the year after his death. It has been reprinted (in 1997) by Ambassador Productions Limited, and is well worth reading.

Glad you enjoy the blog! As to By Grace I Will, it’s tough to find another tune, since the metre is so odd (9.7.9.7 in the stanzas, and 11.7.7.7.7 in the refrain!) I listened to the tune on the Cyber Hymnal, and actually found it quite singable. You might slow it down slightly, and smooth out the rhythm a bit, but otherwise it seems okay to me.

As to hymns relating to Romans 4 and 5, the theme there is justification by faith. It’s tricky to suggest songs for you, since I don’t know the type of hymns you sing, or what you’re familiar with. Here are a few suggestions:

And Can It Be?
Arise, My Soul, Arise!
Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know?
Blessed Assurance
Christ Receiveth Sinful Men
I Know Whom I Have Believed
It Is Well
Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

And do you know Complete in Thee? I especially appreciate the version with the refrain added by James M. Gray. It clearly reflects the teaching of Romans:

Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too shall be!

Great to hear from you. Drop by any time! 🙂

Thank you for your delightful post. I wish I could be of help, but I can’t. I know both songs, of course–have even sung the former as a solo. But have no idea where (or whether) French versions are available. Since I’ve received comments on my blog from (so far) 183 countries, this isn’t the only time I’ve been asked–for Polish words, or Czech words, etc. The funny thing is, I usually urge inquirers to contact people like you–missionaries who work in that particular language! 🙂 I’d say, “Why not translate them yourself?” but as you know, that’s not an easy task–choosing words that make sense, and fit the metre.

That you were an organ major in college is wonderful. It got me reminiscing. My father was a church organist for many years (self taught). He also played the violin and cello in a church orchestra, and led a superb gospel quartet. I recall one time in the 1950’s when we were in New York City. He and a friend went to hear a concert by Virgil Fox at Riverside Church. For a time, we had a couple of Baldwin organs in our living room (long story!). Dad would get on one, and I on the other. (I doodle around, but have never worked at it enough to handle the pedals). For me, the majestic power of a pipe organ for hymns is incomparable. (In electronic organs, I guess an Allen organ can come close.)

Again, your encouragement is appreciated. Drop by any time.

Thank you for your gracious and encouraging note. Believe me, I know where you’re coming from!

The church my wife and I attend at the present time still uses the hymn book, and we sing mostly hymns, with an occasional good chorus included. But you’re absolutely right about how many churches are so skewed to featuring the young, and appealing to the young, that they’ve forgotten to feed and encourage the “pillars” of the church.

I was the guest speaker in a church one time, and I knew as soon as I walked into the sanctuary that something was up. All the seniors were crowded into the very back rows, as far from the platform as they could get. As soon as the singing started, I realized why. Powerful speakers at the front started thundering out a deafening bedlam of sound. The older folks were trying to keep as far from it as possible. I was in another church recently that has a beautiful grand piano. But once the singing started, I couldn’t hear it–and I was only about fifteen feet away! The amplification of the “worship team” on the platform was so loud it drowned everything else out. I couldn’t even hear those next to me singing!

When I’m the speaker at a service, I’m kind of stuck there. But there’ve been times when I was not speaking that I’ve actually walked out of services. Just couldn’t stand the noise! This isn’t music, and it isn’t honouring to the Lord. The Bible says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (I Jn. 2:15). But this blatant attempt to copy the musical styles of the secular world is an example of that very thing. Do they not understand why the music of the world is the way it is? Three things–that can easily be proven by many comments of the secular musicians of our day:

1) The pounding rhythms are an expression of anger and rebellion against authority. This is contrary to the Bible’s message–that we are to submit to those in authority over us (unless to do so would go against the will of God).

2) The constant syncopation is meant to represent sensual and sexual activity. The dress and actions of the performers demonstrate that this is what is being represented, immoral and perverse behaviour that God condemns.

3) The loudness of the music is intended to turn the sound into an emotional experience that is felt through the entire body. The world is void of answers to man’s deepest needs. They must substitute an outwardly generated experience instead.

Now, will somebody tell me what part of that belongs in the house of God. We want to exalt the Lord and express our desire to obey and serve Him, not shake an angry fist in His face. And we want to promote sexually purity before marriage, and fidelity within marriage, not immorality. Further, we have the transforming grace of God to offer. We don’t need mechanically generated thrills. Our thrills should come from our meditation on the Word of God, and our fellowship with Him.

Some make the claim that music is neutral, it all depends what words are put with it. But this is nonsense. Music is a language all on its own, and it needs to be sending the same message as the words, or the result is confusion. I taught a philosophy of Christian music course at a Christian college for years, and heard all the arguments many times. But I ended up more convinced than ever that the “contemporary” drift of many churches today is both spiritually harmful and biblically indefensible.

I encourage you to keep the faith. Glad you have found a church where you can worship. Drop by my blog any time, and see what’s new. The tens of thousands who have communicated with me across the world assure me that many feel is we do. God bless.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

It’s sad when churches abandon our heritage of Christian hymnody. I would agree that not all contemporary music is bad (nor are all hymns and gospel songs of high quality). But speaking generally, there’s a richness of doctrine and depth of devotion in many hymns that is unmatched by contemporary songs, which tend to be more me-centred and touchy-feelie.

Not all churches have left our traditional hymnody behind. Ours hasn’t. And I’ve preached in other churches where hymns are the main staple, with occasional newer choruses.

I wouldn’t be too worried about not having someone to play the piano or organ–though I think both or either can be used effectively. Singing without accompaniment can be a joy too. When you have hymn books in front of you (with music notation), and even a few folks who can carry a part, the result can be worshipful and inspiring.

I’m interested to know how you know that the tune for Amazing Grace was sung in bars. Actually, almost nothing is known of its origin for sure–even what country it came from. There have been some guesses, but nothing provable. It sounds like a variation on the old “Martin Luther used barroom tunes” notion–which he didn’t.

I’ve studied this subject for many years. Actually taught a college course on it. And I’ve heard all the arguments before, arguments that seek to justify bringing the world’s music into the church. And none of them really holds water. “Culture” should not be our guide. Scripture should, and sound biblical principles.

God bless. And have a great Christmas!

Thanks so much for your question. It’s a beautiful song. However, in checking many resources I have, I couldn’t find anything specific on it. But, I believe I have some across a few things that may interest you.

Noah Benjamin Herrell (1877-1953) was a pastor in Virginia until a heart condition forced his retirement. I’m more familiar with another song he wrote entitled “The Unveiled Christ” (“Once our blessed Christ of beauty / Was veiled off from human view; / But through suff’ring death and sorrow / He has rent the veil in two”), referring, of course, to the dramatic event that took place when Christ died, Matt. 27:51).

The story about that song is known. And though you didn’t ask about it, I’ll share a little, because it’s indicative of the spiritual depth of the man. “The Unveiled Christ” was written in 1916, when the Herrell family was dealing with the heartbreak of the death of their five-year-old son. Pastor Herrell says:

“I began to realize more fully what our heavenly Father had gone through in giving His Son to die on the cross. It was a fearful and fateful day when the creature crucified his Creator. Even nature trembled and refused to look upon that dread scene enacted on Golgotha. I heard the cry, ‘It is finished!’ and in my mind’s eye I saw Him bow His head and die. But it was not in vain, for within the sacred sanctuary of the temple, an unseen hand tore in two the veil which has separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. Before that moment, no one could enter the Holy of Holies except the high priest, and he could only do it once a year, and that ‘not without blood.’ But now the blood of the Paschal Lamb had been shed, once for all, opening the way to all who would enter through the merits of that blood. Now God’s children could come boldly before the throne of grace to make their requests known and find help in time of need, because the veil of separation had been rent in two. The truth so took hold of me, that had I been an artist, I would have painted a picture. But I used the talent God had given me and wrote ‘The Unveiled Christ.'” (Al Smith’s Treasury of Hymn Stories, p. 175)

If you haven’t heard it, there’s a wonderfully touching rendition of “Sweeter Than Them All” on YouTube, sung by a pastor shortly before his death. He combines the song with the refrain of Lelia Morris’s “The Stranger of Galilee,” and it fits perfectly. I encourage you to give it a listen by clicking here:

God bless you, and thanks again for the question.

Robert

H-m-m… Well, first of all, you’re not being a pest. But I don’t seem to be able to help you. I checked the sources that I have, and don’t have a copy of the song. You can learn a bit about Mr. Presley and his songs at Hymnary.org here: http://www.hymnary.org/text/this_life_is_filled_with_sorrow_and_trou They list only one hymn book that contains the song (and their records are very extensive). Wish I could be more help.

Sad indeed. Many of these congregations have drifted away from the great hymns of the faith because they’ve been sold some questionable arguments. (E.g. People don’t understand the old hymns; we need to attract the youth, we need to be “contemporary,” etc.) Because of faulty arguments, God’s people are being deprived of the richness of their heritage.

I can recall helping to plan a Remembrance Day (Memorial or Veteran’s Day) service that was to involve several churches. We met in a church that did use a hymn book, and one of the pastors picked up a copy and said, scornfully, “Is there anything in here that isn’t four hundred years old?!” Well, of course there is. But maybe he needs to revisit some of Watts’ and Wesley’s work, and see what his people are missing.

This pastor’s church uses a lot of noisy rock music, and simple choruses sung ten or twelve times, “to work people into a state of worship” (his words). And they have a Coke machine in the sanctuary, so anyone who wants to can wander over and grab a Coke during the service. I know for a fact that his sermons are pretty shallow, because we’ve talked about it. He believes “doctrine” is a dirty word, and we should just get together and “love Jesus.”

I mention these things because it seems the avoidance of hymns many times is just one symptom of a deeper problem. There’s a kind of entertainment mindset that confuses having a good time with spiritual blessing, and stirred up emotion with true worship. “Success” for the local church is defined in terms of how many are attracted to the services. And the pastor mentioned has a full church, but at what cost? I talked with a couple visiting in the area who have relatives that attend there, so they decided to try it out. Their succinct comment, “We couldn’t stand the noise!”

Actually, I think we can trace the departure from hymns to what many of our Bible colleges are doing. (I taught in two of them, and have seen what happens.) There is a concern to fill desks, because otherwise the bills won’t get paid. So, in order to do that (the thinking goes) we need to be “contemporary.” We need music that the young people know and understand. So, in come the drums, the amplified guitars, and the shallow choruses. And as if that weren’t bad enough, these schools offer no training in Hymnology. Students aren’t learning about the treasury of Christian hymnody even in courses. What a tragedy!

I do differ with you slightly on one point. If my wife and I were looking for a new church, it wouldn’t have to be one that uses “hymns only.” Our traditional hymns and gospel songs are not all of equal worth, nor are all contemporary choruses equally bad. If some good choruses are used occasionally, they can be very effective. Sometimes, I’ve had the folks sing a hymn, and then we’ve moved into a related chorus at the end.

Also, at the beginning of our Prayer and Praise Time, I sometimes use a chorus to highlight a theme I want to emphasize. For example, there’s some good spiritual meat in Kittie Suffield’s:

God is still on the throne,
And He will remember His own,
Though trials may press us
And burdens distress us
He never will leave us alone.
God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own.
His promise is true;
He will not forget you.
God is still on the throne.

Or at the beginning of the Lord’s Supper we might sing:

Far above all, far above all,
Jesus the crucified far above all;
Here at His footstool adoring we fall,
God has exalted Him far above all.

We do lots of singing in our services. Usually four hymns, occasionally more, with one or two choruses (at most) strategically placed. Keeping the emphasis on songs that have a strong message is what’s important to me, not so much whether they are technically hymns.

Thanks so much for writing. Your concern is shared by many people around the world that I hear from. God bless you, and I hope He leads you to a church that meets your need.

“Long-winded”? Not necessarily, since you have something worthwhile to say. Since I’m a bit short-winded at the moment :-), I’ll only add my “Amen!” God bless.

No problem, Roy. The material is there to be used. I like folks to provide a link to Wordwise Hymns when they quote me in print, but a concert is a little different. Sounds as though you did give me credit. Lorraine called and told me about the meeting, and I had a good chuckle over it. Yes, I was a Hamilton boy. My parents attended Philpotts, and then Garside, where my father was organist and choir director for many years, and where I directed the choir later on.

Since Lehman died in 1986 his songs are quite recent, and are therefore not in the public domain. The song Whatever He Wants for Me does not seem to be available in many places. I think it may be found in a book called A Little Bit of Heaven Songbook, available from Amazon. Hope that’s a help.

You’re welcome! A couple of tunes that might work with Go to Dark Gethsemane are: Toplady, to which we sing Rock of Ages, and Pilot, the tune for Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me.

No, I don’t have a FaceBook page. And as to how to sign up to receive blog posts 🙂 …Now you’ve asked me a question for which I don’t have an answer. Strange, since I’ve been blogging for years, and I know I have individuals who automatically receive my blog each time. If you find out, please let me know. God bless.