Treasured Hymns

To be sure, there is nothing in all of the earth to compare with the resound of treasured hymns sung from the lips of the faithful within the House of God.  Few things so spur the heart to such immortal love for God. 

Martin Luther passionately believed music was of God, not man, and he longed to restore congregational singing to the church, for this was something the Church was not accustomed to.  Happily, Luther accomplished this, and published his first hymnal in 1524.  It featured eight hymns, four written by himself. 

Today, we have a marvelous assortment of hymns to enjoy.  I am sharing three of my favorite hymns, and telling you a little bit about why I love each one particularly so! 

One tune that never fails to make me smile is Up from the Grave He Arose.  When singing with a sufficient number of people, it feels like a jubilant celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death.  This hymn is especially befitting for the season, as we prepare to commemorate His resurrection this Easter!  I have transcribed the lyrics below for your convivence! 

Up from the Grave He Arose

Low in the grave He lay
Jesus my Savior!
Waiting the coming day
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed
Jesus, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Death cannot keep his prey
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away
Jesus my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign
He arose! (He arose)
He arose! (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

I first became acquainted with what is now my favorite of all hymns whilst watching the adaptation of Little Women with Winona Ryder.  This hymn is none other than For the Beauty of the Earth.  For days and days, I would hum the delightful tune and sing the only words I could recall: “Lord of all to thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.”  Eventually, I came to know the lyrics little by little, and came to love the hymn even more!   Through singing and meditating on its words, you are truly “entering His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.”

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth, 
For the glory of the skies, 
For the love which from our birth 
Over and around us lies.

Lord of all to Thee we raise 
This our hymn of grateful praise.

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.

Lord of all to Thee we raise 
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, 
Brother, sister, parent, child, 
Friends on earth and friends above, 
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all to Thee we raise 
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the church, that evermore 
Lifteth holy hands above, 
Offering up on every shore 
Her pure sacrifice of love.

Lord of all to Thee we raise 
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thyself, best Gift Divine. 
To our race so freely given, 
For that great, great love of Thine, 
Peace on earth and joy in Heaven.

Very recently, I read Elizabeth Elliot’s impeccable book, Through Gates of Splendor.  The story as a whole was indescribably moving, but one aspect in particular has remained with me.  Shortly before the five missionaries faced their death, they praised their Father with the hymn, We Rest on Thee.  I was not familiar with this hymn at the time, so I looked it up.  As I read and listened to the lyrics, tears gathered in my eyes!  I instantly was reminded of Psalm 23, where it says, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I was reminded of that which is paramount in this earthly pilgrimage.  I am not truly able to describe my joyous feelings, (I am making a terrible muck of it!) so it is my hope that once you read and listen to this powerful piece, you will know. 

We Rest on Thee

We Rest On Thee, Our Shield And Our Defender!
We Go Not Forth Alone Against The Foe;
Strong In Thy Strength, Safe In Thy Keeping Tender,
We Rest On Thee, And In Thy Name We Go.
Strong In Thy Strength, Safe In Thy Keeping Tender,
We Rest On Thee, And In Thy Name We Go.

Yes, In Thy Name, O Captain Of Salvation!
In Thy Dear Name, All Other Names Above;
Jesus Our Righteousness, Our Sure Foundation,
Our Prince Of Glory And Our King Of Love.
Jesus Our Righteousness, Our Sure Foundation,
Our Prince Of Glory And Our King Of Love.

We Go In Faith, Our Own Great Weakness Feeling,
And Needing More Each Day Thy Grace To Know:
Yet From Our Hearts A Song Of Triumph Pealing,
“We Rest On Thee, And In Thy Name We Go.”
Yet From Our Hearts A Song Of Triumph Pealing,
“We Rest On Thee, And In Thy Name We Go.”

We Rest On Thee, Our Shield And Our Defender!
Thine Is The Battle, Thine Shall Be The Praise;
When Passing Through The Gates Of Pearly Splendor,
Victors, We Rest With Thee, Through Endless Days.
When Passing Through The Gates Of Pearly Splendor,
Victors, We Rest With Thee, Through Endless Days.

What is music but words set to a melody?  However, these hymns are more than just that, for they draw our hearts to God, and have done so for generations.  They connect us to the church of ages past.  Some melodies become “stuck” in my head and grow quite bothersome, but these never shall!  I have shared only three, but I just know there are countless out there still yet to be discovered!  What are your favorites? 

            Peace and joy,

            Amelia Clementine