God Moves in Mysterious Ways

“God moves in a Mysterious Way” is a hymn written by William Cowper in the 18th century. This hymn speaks to the glory and transcendence of God, who is beyond our understanding and comprehension. The lyrics also mention the divine providence of God, who is with us in all things.

According to Hymnary.org, “William Cowper…is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as “mad Cowper.” His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional stability, but the periods of severe depression returned. His depression was deepened by a religious bent, which often stressed the wrath of God, and at times Cowper felt that God had predestined him to damnation.

For the last two decades of his life, Cowper lived in Olney, where John Newton became his pastor. There he assisted Newton in his pastoral duties, and the two collaborated on the important hymn collection Olney Hymns (1779), to which Cowper contributed sixty-eight hymn texts.”

Bible Reference:

Colossians 1:26-27 ~ “The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I Am God.”

Read more: What Does it Mean That God Works in Mysterious Ways?

Photo credit: GettyImages/Divaneth-Dias

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/god-moves-in-a-mysterious-way/>

1 God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform.

He plants his footsteps in the sea

And rides upon the storm.

2 You fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds you so much dread

Are big with mercy and shall break

In blessings on your head.

3 His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding ev’ry hour.

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flow’r.

4 Blind unbelief is sure to err

And scan his work in vain.

God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

“God Be With You (Till We Meet Again)“

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“God Be With You (Till We Meet Again)” is a Christian hymn that was written by Jeremiah Rankin in 1880. Rankin was the minister for the First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. and had this to say about the hymn, “Written…as a Christian goodbye, it was called forth by no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a Christian hymn on basis of the etymology of “goodbye,” which is “God be with you.”

“God Be With You Till We Meet Again”, which was created by Jeremiah Rankin, was composed so his church choir could have a hymn to sing when they parted each week. Rankin was the minister for the First Congregational Church in Washington, D.C. and said this about the hymn, “Written…as a Christian goodbye, it was called forth by no person or occasion, but was deliberately composed as a Christian hymn on basis of the etymology of “goodbye,” which is “God be with you.” He got the idea for the first stanza of the song when he saw the dictionary definition of “good-bye” was short for “God be with you.” The hymn was written in 1882 when Rankin was 54 years old.

While Rankin was responsible for penning the lyrics, William Tomer, who was the music director at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, composed the music.

“God Be With You” became the official closing hymn for the Christian Endeavor Convention. Dr. Rankin said: “It has had no sweeter recognition than that given it by its adoption by the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor. Long, long, may they sing it!”

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/god-be-with-you-till-we-meet-again-/>

1 God be with you till we meet again,

By His counsels guide, uphold you,

With His sheep securely fold you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again. 

2 God be with you till we meet again,

’Neath His wings protecting hide you,

Daily manna still divide you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again. 

3 God be with you till we meet again,

When life’s perils thick confound you,

Put His arms unfailing round you,

God be with you till we meet again. 

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again. 

4 God be with you till we meet again,

Keep love’s banner floating o’er you,

Smite death’s threatening wave before you,

God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,

Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

Till we meet, till we meet,

God be with you till we meet again. 

Amen.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

“Go Tell It on the Mountain“

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“Go Tell It on the Mountain” is an African-American spiritual song, compiled by John Wesley Work, Jr., dating back to at least 1865, that has been sung and recorded by many gospel and secular performers. It is considered a Christmas carol because its lyrics celebrate the Nativity of Jesus.

John Wesley Work, Jr. can be credited for the fact that we still sing “Go Tell It On the Mountain” every Christmas, although he may not have originally created the Negro spiritual.  Work grew up in Nashville loving music as the son of a church choir director.  Even though he earned his Master’s in Latin and went on to teach ancient Latin and Greek, his first love continued to be music, and he went on to become the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals. 

This actually was a difficult task for Work as they were passed down verbally, from plantation to plantation; very few were ever written down.  But Work proved up to the challenge, publishing his first book, New Jubilee Songs as Sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, in Songs of the American Negro, six years later.  It was in this second volume that “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” first appeared.  The original singers of the song accomplished the same valued task the angels gave the shepherds on the first Christmas night outside of Bethlehem, proclaiming, “that Jesus Christ is born!”  And now, thanks to publishings of John Wesley Work, so can we.

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/go-tell-it-on-the-mountain/>

Refrain:

Go, tell it on the mountain, 

over the hills and everywhere;

go, tell it on the mountain 

that Jesus Christ is born.

1 While shepherds kept their watching 

o’er silent flocks by night, 

behold, throughout the heavens 

there shone a holy light. [Refrain]

2 The shepherds feared and trembled 

when lo! above the earth 

rang out the angel chorus 

that hailed our Savior‘s birth. [Refrain]

3 Down in a lowly manger

the humble Christ was born, 

and God sent us salvation 

that blessed Christmas morn. [Refrain]

Glorious Day

“Glorious Day“

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“Glorious Day” is a modern Christian song first performed by praise group Passion in 2017. This song’s theme focuses on God’s grace and mercy to save us from the death of sin.

According to Wikipedia,

Kristian Paul Stanfill (born April 9, 1983) is an American Christian music singer, songwriter, and worship leader from Atlanta, Georgia. His album, Mountains Move (2011), reached No. 64 on the Billboard 200. He is currently the worship pastor at Passion City Church and a worship leader at Passion Conferences.

Stanfill was born in Marietta, Georgia on April 9, 1983. After showing an interest in songwriting, Stanfill began playing guitar at the age of 13. At age 15, he began to lead worship in his Sunday school at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. In 2002, after graduating from George Walton Comprehensive High School, Stanfill attended Samford University, and shortly after graduating, he started leading worship at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. His brother, Brett, is also a worship leader with North Point Worship.[citation needed] While in college, Stanfill met his wife, Kerri. They were married in 2004, and have four children.

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/glorious-day/>

Verse 1 & 2:

I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight?

It was my tomb

‘Til I met You

I was breathing, but not alive

All my failures I tried to hide

It was my tomb

‘Til I met You

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~ Ephesians 2:1-10

Chorus:

You called my name

Then I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

“When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders came to me.” ~ Deuteronomy 5:23

“Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” ~ John 11:38-44

Give Me Joy In My Heart

“Give Me Joy In My Heart“

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Although the author of “Give Me Joy In My Heart” is unknown this joyous hymn remains popular and used today in Christian services. The lyric of this hymn’s chorus, “Sing Hosanna,” means to express your admiration and praise of God by song. This hymn is a great source of joyous worship for bringing people together in reverence of the Lord.

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/give-me-joy-in-my-heart/>

1 Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising.

Give me joy in my heart, I pray.

Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising.

Keep me praising till the break of day.

Refrain:

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,

sing hosanna to the King of kings!

Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,

sing hosanna to the King!

2 Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting.

Give me peace in my heart, I pray.

Give me peace in my heart, keep me resting.

Keep me resting till the break of day. [Refrain]

3 Give me love in my heart, keep me serving.

Give me love in my heart, I pray.

Give me love in my heart, keep me serving.

Keep me serving till the break of day. [Refrain]

Give Me Jesus

“Give Me Jesus“

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“Give Me Jesus” is an Afro-American spiritual hymn whose original author is unknown. The simple yet powerful lyrics of this song end each stanza and the refrain with “Give me Jesus.”

According to umcdiscipleship.org, the origin of this hymn arose from a merger of traditions in American culture,

“The origins of this spiritual appear to be a confluence of the white hymn tradition and the creativity and existential experiences of enslaved Africans. Numerous first stanzas appear over the decades with the refrain “Give me Jesus,” though the most commonly used initial stanza now begins “In the morning when I rise.”

Related scripture quotes:

1 John 5:19 ~ We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 2:15 ~ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Mark 8:36 ~ For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

Photo credit: GettyImages/shuang paul wang

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/give-me-jesus/>

1 In the morning when I rise,

in the morning when I rise,

in the morning when I rise,

give me Jesus.

Refrain:

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.

You may have all this world, give me Jesus.

2 Dark midnight was my cry,

dark midnight was cry,

dark midnight was my cry,

give me Jesus. [Refrain]

3 I heard the mourner say,

I heard the mourner say,

I heard the mourner say,

give me Jesus. [Refrain]

4 Oh, when I come to die,

oh, when I come to die,

oh, when I come to die,

give me Jesus. [Refrain]

For The Beauty of The Earth

“For the Beauty of the Earth.“

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“For the Beauty of the Earth.”, written by Folliot Pierpoint in 1864, praises the beautiful world that we inhabit and the many things he loved. He mentions many aspects of existence for which he is grateful, including the earth and skies, tree and flower, human love and “best gift divine.” This joyous hymn is a great reminder of all the beauty that surrounds us and to not take this for granted!

The initial poem was published in eight, four-line stanzas under the title, “The Sacrifice of Praise.”  British hymnologist J. R. Watson proposes, “It is said to have been inspired by the view of Folliot Pierpoint’s native city of Bath on a spring day.” The original refrain, “Christ, our God, to thee we raise This our sacrifice of praise,” reflects the theology of the Lord’s Supper as a sharing in Christ’s sacrifice. “For the beauty of the earth” appeared in the final “Miscellaneous Hymns” section of Lyra Eucharistic.  Changes made to the hymn and accepted by the author made it suitable for a larger scope of liturgical opportunities. The metaphysical outlook of this hymn coincides with many others on this subject. For example, earlier hymns by Isaac Watts – “I sing the almighty power of God” from 1715 – and Cecil Frances Alexander – “All things bright and beautiful” from 1848 – focus on the natural created structure. These hymns were written to illustrate the first article of the Apostles’ Creed, “I believe in God the Father, Maker of heaven and earth,” for relevance to younger readers and listeners.  Pierpoint, writing for the Eucharist, extends the discussion beyond the natural created order to humanity, the church, and, in the original, the martyrs, prophets, and the incarnation.

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/for-the-beauty-of-the-earth/>

1 For the beauty of the earth, 

for the glory of the skies, 

for the love which from our birth

over and around us lies. 

Refrain: 

Christ, our Lord, to you we raise 

this, our hymn of grateful praise. 

2 For the wonder of each hour 

of the day and of the night, 

hill and vale and tree and flower, 

sun and moon and stars of light, [Refrain ]

3 For the joy of human love, 

brother, sister, parent, child, 

friends on earth, and friends above, 

for all gentle thoughts and mild, [Refrain] 

4 For yourself, best gift divine, 

to the world so freely given, 

agent of God’s grand design: 

peace on earth and joy in heaven. [Refrain]

For All The Saints

“For All the Saints“

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“For All the Saints” was drafted as a processional hymn by the Anglican Bishop of Wakefield, William Walsham How. The hymn was first published in Hymns for Saints’ Days, and Other Hymns, by Earl Nelson in 1864. “For All the Saints” was performed to the tune Sarum, by the Victorian composer Joseph Barnby, until the publication of the English Hymnal in 1906. This hymnal used a new melody by Ralph Vaughan Williams which he named Sine Nomine (translated, “without name”) in connection to its use on the Feast of All Saints, 1 November (or the first Sunday in November, All Saints Sunday in the Lutheran Church). It has been characterized as “one of the finest hymn tunes of [the 20th] century.”

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/for-all-the-saints/>

1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,

who Thee by faith before the world confessed;

Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2 Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4 And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

5 But when there breaks a yet more glorious day;

the saints triumphant rise in bright array;

the King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

6 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,

through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

in praise of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Fight The Good Fight

“Fight The Good Fight“

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This popular hymn encourages mankind to pursue righteousness with the guidance and strength that God provides. It is inspired by 1 Timothy 6:12 which says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

“Fight The Good Fight” is a traditional, classic favorite hymn and Christian song  It was written by Rev. John Samuel Bewley Monsell and published in Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church’s Year (1863).  It is sung to the tune Pentecost, written in 1864 by William Boyd.

The hymn is based on the King James Bible’s version of Paul’s First Epistle to Timothy, Chapter 6, verse 12: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” The hymn lyrics urge the listener to “Fight the good fight,” “lay hold on life,” “run the straight race,” “cast care aside”, and “faint not nor fear.”

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/fight-the-good-fight/>

1 Fight the good fight with all thy might.

Christ is thy strength and Christ thy right.

Lay hold on life, and it shall be 

thy joy and crown eternally.

2 Run the straight race through God’s good grace;

lift up thine eyes, and seek Christ’s face.

Life with its way before us lies;

Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

3 Cast care aside; lean on thy guide.

God’s boundless mercy will provide.

Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove

Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

4 Faint not nor fear: God’s arms are near.

God changeth not, and thou art dear.

Only believe, and thou shalt see

that Christ is all in all to thee.

Farther Along

“Farther Along“

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“Farther Along” is a beautiful Southern gospel hymn created in the early 20th century. Its theme focuses on trusting that the truth will eventually be revealed to us and we’ll understand why things have happened. This song has been covered by numerous American Country music artists who have built its reputation and popularity through the last century.

According to Wikipedia, “Farther Along” is an American Southern gospel song of contested signature. The song deals with a Christian’s dismay at the apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of the righteous. The repeated theme is that “farther along”, the truth will be revealed.

There are several attributions for the authorship of this song. The oldest known print edition is in the 1911 hymnal Select Hymns for Christian Worship and General Gospel Service; its only attribution is “Arr. B. E. W.”, referring to the hymnal editor Barney Elliott Warren.

The song has also been recorded by Hank Williams, Glen Campbell, Van Dyke Parks, Pete Seeger, Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Mississippi John Hurt, Bill Anderson, Ellen McIlwaine, Smoking Popes, Josh Garrels, Brad Paisley and the Million Dollar Quartet among others.

From <https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/farther-along/>

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder

Why it should be thus all the day long;

While there are others living about us,

Never molested, though in the wrong.

Refrain:

Farther along we’ll know more about it,

Farther along we’ll understand why;

Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine,

We’ll understand it all by and by.

Sometimes I wonder why I must suffer,

Go in the rain, the cold, and the snow,

When there are many living in comfort,

Giving no heed to all I can do.

Tempted and tried, how often we question

Why we must suffer year after year,

Being accused by those of our loved ones,

E’en though we’ve walked in God’s holy fear.

Often when death has taken our loved ones,

Leaving our home so lone and so drear,

Then do we wonder why others prosper,

Living so wicked year after year.

“Faithful till death,” saith our loving Master;

Short is our time to labor and wait;

Then will our toiling seem to be nothing,

When we shall pass the heavenly gate.

Soon we will see our dear, loving Savior,

Hear the last trumpet sound through the sky;

Then we will meet those gone on before us,

Then we shall know and understand why.