PRAISE TIME
Volume 4
Words of Love and Praise to Jesus
DFO
Privately published and circulated without cost to members only.
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Preface
Unlike the first three volumes of Praise Time, in this volume no distinction has been made between songs and poems of love to Jesus and songs and poems of praise. The reason for this is that some of the selections could just as well be listed under either category. In fact, they're all love and praise to Jesus! If we had come to this conclusion earlier, we probably would have merged the love and praise poems in the other volumes as well.
As with both the love and praise selections in the first three volumes, these songs and poems can all be used for both united and private praise and devotional times.
As explained in the preface to Praise Time, Volume 1, some of the selections have been adapted to be sung to Jesus. In addition to this, some have been further adapted to reflect the closer, more intimate relationship that Jesus wants to have with us. For example, in some cases the word "Savior" has been changed to "Husband." Adapted selections are marked as such.
The stars (**) next to the titles of some selections indicate those with more well-known melodies. Because we may record some of these for the Family in the future, and in order to stay in sync with the many Christians who sing some of these songs, we request that you not circulate new melodies to these songs. (You may, however, choose to make up tunes to these in your private devotional times, when you're singing privately to the Lord.)
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CONTENTS
A Song of Praise
7
Altogether Lovely
2
Bless the Lord, My Soul!
12
Blessed Bridegroom
3
Boundless Love
3
Break Forth into Song
7
Come Worship
2
Fairest of the Fair
7
Gentle, Sweet and Tender Love!
4
God Is Love!
9
His Praise Shall Tune My Voice
8
His Praises I Will Sing
13
How Sweet the Name
10
I Belong to Jesus
2
I Heard You Whisper
16
I Love Thee Better
6
I Sing Your Praises
2
I'm Holding On
7
In Your Presence
4
It Passeth Knowledge
6
Jesus Is My Sunshine
15
King Most Wonderful
9
Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs
11
Lily of the Valley
8
Love Unchanging!
5
More and More!
6
My God, I Thank Thee
14
My Love for You
16
My Precious Husband
16
O Jesus, Precious Savior
3
Pearl of Greatest Price
10
Praise Him Evermore!
11
Praise Him in His Majesty
12
Praise Our Creator
12
Praise to the Holiest
2
Praise without Ceasing
2
Praises to Our King
9
Redeemed!
13
Rejoice in the Lord
14
Rejoice
14
Serve the Lord
15
Sheer Joy
16
Singing of Thy Love
5
Sweet and Precious Story
9
Ten Thousand Voices Singing
15
The Everlasting Arms
15
The Privilege of Living
16
The Song of the Lamb
8
Thou Shalt Be My Song
5
Thy Love and Mine
3
Thy Mighty Name
11
Upon Thy Breast
4
We Are Singing
11
We Praise Thee!
13
Ye Servants of God
10
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ALTOGETHER LOVELY
Jesus, altogether lovely,
Spotless Lily of my heart,
Grow within my life forever;
I am Thine, and mine Thou art.
PRAISE TO THE HOLIEST
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
And in the depth be praise;
In all His Words most wonderful,
Most sure in all His ways.
--John Henry Newman
PRAISE WITHOUT CEASING
You I would be always blessing;
Serve You as Your hosts Above:
Pray and praise You, without ceasing;
Glory in Your perfect Love.
--Charles Wesley
I SING YOUR PRAISES
I bless You now and sing Your praises,
I bless You now, with all my soul;
I join the song all Heaven raises,
And let the anthem loudly roll!
COME WORSHIP
Come worship at His throne,
Come, bow before the Lord;
We are His work, and not our own,
He formed us by His Word.
--Isaac Smith
I BELONG TO JESUS **
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me;
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.
BLESSED BRIDEGROOM
Precious, gentle, holy Jesus!
Blessed Bridegroom of my heart,
In Thy secret inner chamber
We will never be apart.
O JESUS, PRECIOUS SAVIOR
O Jesus, precious Savior,
Whom, yet unseen, we love;
O Name of might and favor,
All other names above:
We worship Thee! We bless Thee!
To Thee alone we sing!
We praise Thee and confess Thee,
Our Lover, Lord, and King!
--Frances R. Havergal; adapted
BOUNDLESS LOVE
Jesus, Thy boundless Love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O bind my thankful heart to Thee,
And reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone I am:
Be Thou alone my constant flame.
O grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell, but Thy pure Love alone;
O may Thy Love possess me whole,
My joy, my treasure, and my crown.
My selfish will far from my soul remove;
May every act, word, thought be love.
O Love, how cheering is the ray;
All pain before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow, melt away,
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire, or seek, but Thee.
In suffering, be Thy Love my peace;
In weakness, be Thy Love my power;
And, when the storms of life shall cease,
My Lord, in that important hour,
In death, as life, be Thou my guide,
And save me, Who for me hast died.
--Paul Gerhardt; Transl.: John Wesley
THY LOVE AND MINE
I love Thee, Lord; yet 'tis no love of mine
That goeth forth to that great heart of Thine:
'Tis Thine Own Love which Thou hast given me
Returning back, O loving Lord, to Thee.
Chorus:
Oh! Help me, Lord, to take, by grace divine,
Yet more and more of that great Love of Thine;
That day by day my heart may give to Thee
A deeper love, and growing constantly.
The earth absorbs the soft, refreshing rain,
And sends it back to flowers and fruits again;
So I receive Thy Love so rich and free,
And send it back in joy and praise to Thee.
The moon receives the sun's bright, golden light,
And gives it forth to cheer the darksome night;
So I receive the rays of Love divine,
And with them cheer this weary world of Thine.
'Tis by Thy Love that I can love and bless
The foes who seek to blast my happiness;
Can e'en rejoice, when bearing wrong and shame,
And gladly suffer for Thy precious Name.
Naught but Thy Love can satisfy my heart,
Constrain my will from self and sin to part:
In Love so great Thou giv'st Thyself to me;
For Thou art Love -- for all eternity.
--Rev. J. Mountain
GENTLE, SWEET AND TENDER LOVE!
O gentle, sweet and tender Love!
Greatest and best Thou art!
Thou comest on Thine angel-wing
Straight from our Father's heart.
Son of Love, expand Thy wings,
Watch o'er my heart today;
Fill me with Heav'nly tenderness
As now to Thee I pray.
UPON THY BREAST
As John upon his dear Lord's breast,
So would I lean, so would I rest;
As empty shell in depths of sea,
So would I sink, be filled with Thee.
Like singing bird in high blue air,
So would I soar, and sing Thee there.
Nor rain, nor stormy wind can be,
When all the air is full of Thee.
And so, though daily duties crowd,
And dust of earth be like a cloud,
Through noise of words, O Lord, my Rest,
Thy John would lean upon Thy breast.
--Rose from Brier
IN YOUR PRESENCE
I see Your face, O Jesus --
You smile in love on me;
You fill my heart with rapture,
My soul with ecstasy.
The scars of deepest anguish
Are lost in glory bright;
I see Your face, O Jesus --
It is a wondrous sight!
And since I've seen Your beauty
All else I count but loss;
The world, its fame and pleasure,
Is now to me but dross.
Your light dispels my darkness,
Your smile is, oh, so sweet!
I see Your face, O Jesus --
I can but kiss Your feet.
I hear Your voice, O Jesus --
You tell me of Your Love,
And call me Your Own treasure,
Your undefiled, Your dove.
It comes like softest music
Across an ocean calm,
And seems to play so sweetly,
Some wondrous holy psalm.
I feel Your hand, O Jesus --
When my brow, it throbs with care
You touch me there so softly,
And whisper, "Do not fear."
Like clouds before the sunshine,
My cares now roll away;
I'm sitting in Your presence --
It is a cloudless day.
I know You're coming shortly
To take us all Above;
We'll sing Redemption's story:
The story of Your Love!
We'll hear Your voice and music,
We'll feel Your hand of care;
You'll never rest -- You say so --
Until You have us There.
adapted
SINGING OF THY LOVE
My Savior, teach me, day by day,
Love's sweet lesson to obey;
Sweeter lesson cannot be,
Loving Him Who first loved me.
Teach me, I am not my own,
I am Thine and Thine alone;
Thine to keep, to rule, to save,
From all sin that would enslave.
With a child's glad heart of love,
At Thy bidding may I move;
Prompt to serve and follow Thee --
Loving Him Who first loved me.
Though Thy will should cross my own,
May it instantly be done;
Thus may I rejoice to show
That I feel the love I owe.
Thine, Lord, was a bitter cup,
Thou didst meekly drink it up;
Thou, the Father's only Son,
Ever saidst, "Thy will be done."
Teach me thus Thy steps to trace,
Strong to follow in Thy grace;
Learning how to love from Thee --
Loving Him Who so loved me.
Love in loving finds employ,
In obedience all her joy;
Ever new that joy will be,
Loving Him Who first loved me.
Though a foolish child and weak,
More than this I need not seek;
Singing, till Thy face I see,
Of Thy Love Who first loved me.
--Jane E. Leeson
LOVE UNCHANGING!
O, Love unchanging, Love sublime!
Not all the hosts Above
Can reach the height or sound the depth
Of God's eternal Love.
This wondrous Love enfolds the world,
It fills the realms Above;
'Tis boundless as eternity:
Oh, praise the God of Love!
--Fanny Crosby
THOU SHALT BE MY SONG
Jesus, my Lord, my Love, my all,
Hear me, blest Savior, when I call;
Hear me, and from Thy dwelling-place
Pour down the riches of Thy grace.
Jesus, my Love, I Thee adore;
O help me love Thee more and more!
How can I love Thee as I ought?
Jesus, so late I Thee have sought;
And how extol Thy matchless fame,
The glorious beauty of Thy Name?
Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore;
O help me love Thee more and more!
Jesus, what didst Thou find in me
That Thou hast given so lovingly?
How great the joy that Thou hast brought,
So far exceeding hope or thought!
Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore;
O help me love Thee more and more!
Jesus Thou shalt be my song;
To Thee my heart and soul belong;
All that I have or am is Thine;
And Thou, blest Savior, Thou art mine.
Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore;
O help me love Thee more and more!
--Henry Collins
I LOVE THEE BETTER
I know I love Thee better, Lord,
Than any earthly joy --
For Thou hast given me a peace
Which nothing can destroy.
I know that Thou art nearer still
Than any earthly throng,
And sweeter is the thought of Thee
Than any lovely song.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart;
Then well may I be glad;
Without the secret of Thy Love
I could not but be sad.
O Jesus, precious Savior mine!
What will Thy presence be,
If such a life of joy can crown
Our walk on Earth with Thee?
MORE AND MORE!
For Thy goodness, O my Husband,
I would praise Thee o'er and o'er;
May the Holy Spirit teach me
How to love Thee more and more.
For the blessings that surround me,
For what mercies lie in store;
For Thy care so deep and tender,
I would love Thee more and more.
Raging tempest, rolling billows,
Thou hast brought me safely o'er;
Thou hast led me, safely led me,
And I long to love Thee more!
Till my journey here is ended,
Till I reach the Heav'nly Shore,
This my earnest supplication --
That my soul may love Thee more.
--L. Edwards; adapted
IT PASSETH KNOWLEDGE
It passeth knowledge, that dear Love of Thine,
My Jesus, Savior; yet this soul of mine
Would of Thy Love, in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth, its everlasting strength,
Know more and more.
It passeth telling, that dear Love of Thine,
My Jesus, Savior; yet these lips of mine
Would fain proclaim to sinners far and near,
A Love which can remove all guilty fear,
And love beget.
It passeth praises, that dear Love of Thine,
My Jesus, Savior; yet this heart of mine
Would sing that Love, so rich, so full, so free,
Which brings a rebel sinner, such as me,
Nigh unto God.
But though I cannot sing, or tell, or know
The fulness of Thy Love, while here below,
My empty vessel I may bring:
O Thou, Who art of Love the living spring,
My vessel fill.
Oh, fill me, Jesus, Savior, with Thy Love!
Oh, lead me to the Living Fount Above;
There may I, in simple faith, draw nigh,
And never to another fountain fly,
But unto Thee.
And when Thee, Jesus, face to face I see,
When in Thy warm embrace at last I'm free,
Then of Thy Love, in all its breadth and length,
Its height and depth, its everlasting strength,
My soul shall know.
--Mary Shekleton; adapted
A SONG OF PRAISE
God of Love and God of might,
God of Truth and God of light,
Heart and voice we would unite,
Giving praise to Thee.
We adore Thee, God most high,
We Thy mercy magnify;
On Thy Word our souls rely,
Trusting peacefully.
We have heard Thy Words of cheer
On our pilgrim journey here;
We have known Thy presence near,
Shining constantly.
--Rev. R.F. Gordon
BREAK FORTH INTO SONG
Now from the altar of my heart,
Let incense-flames arise;
Assist me, Lord to offer up
My daily sacrifice.
Awake, my love; awake, my joy;
Awake, my heart and tongue!
Sleep not when mercies loudly call,
Break forth into a song.
You are my Sun and Shield,
My Keeper and my Guide;
Your care is on my weakness shown,
Your mercies multiplied.
New time, new favor, and new joys
Do a new song require;
Till I shall praise Thee as I would,
Accept my heart's desire.
--John Mason; adapted
FAIREST OF THE FAIR
I cannot breathe enough of Thee,
O gentle breeze of Love;
More fragrant than the myrtle tree
The Rose of Sharon is to me,
The Balm of Heaven Above.
I cannot gaze enough on Thee
Thou fairest of the fair;
My heart is filled with ecstasy,
As in Thy face of radiancy
I see such beauty there.
I cannot work enough for Thee,
My Savior, Husband, Friend;
I do not wish to go out free,
But ever, always willingly,
To serve Thee to the end.
I cannot sing enough of Thee,
The sweetest Name on Earth,
A note so full of melody
Comes from my heart so joyously,
And fills my soul with mirth.
I cannot speak enough of Thee,
I have so much to tell;
Thy heart, it beats so tenderly
As Thou dost draw me close to Thee,
And whisper, "All is well."
adapted
I'M HOLDING ON
You redeemed and made me whole,
I can forget You never;
Out of the depths You brought my soul;
Now I am Yours forever.
Great is Your Love, O Christ my King,
Love that no power can sever;
Joyful and glad, my tongue shall sing
Praise to Your Name forever.
--Grace Emmons; adapted
LILY OF THE VALLEY
Blessed Lily of the Valley,
Oh, how fair is He!
Sweeter than the angels' music
Is His voice to me,
Where the lilies fair
Are blooming by the waters calm,
There He leads me and upholds me
By His strong right arm;
All the air is love around me,
I can feel no harm,
He is mine, I am His.
Let me sing of all His mercies,
Of His kindness true.
Fresh at morn and in the evening,
Comes a blessing new,
With the deep'ning shadows
Comes a whisper, "Safely rest!
Sleep in peace, for I am near thee,
Naught shall thee molest;
I will linger till the morning,
Keeper, Friend and Guest,"
He is mine, I am His.
Though He lead me through the valley
Of the shade of death,
Should I fear when, oh, so tenderly,
He whispereth,
For the sunshine of His presence
Doth illumine the night,
And He leads me through the valley
To the mountain height;
Out of bondage into freedom,
Into cloudless light,
He is mine, I am His.
THE SONG OF THE LAMB
Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore,
Give ye to Him Who our battle hath won,
Whose are the Kingdom, the crown and the throne.
Soundeth the Heav'n of the heav'ns with His Name;
Ringeth the Earth with His glory and fame;
Ocean and mountain, stream, forest and flower
Echo His praises and tell of His power.
Ever ascendeth the song and the joy;
Ever descendeth the Love from on high;
Blessing and honor and glory and praise,
This is the theme of the hymns that we raise.
Give we the glory and praise to the Lamb;
Take we the robe and the harp and the palm;
Sing we the song of the Lamb that was slain,
Dying in weakness, but rising to reign.
--Horatius Bonar
HIS PRAISE SHALL TUNE MY VOICE
Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted* fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there;
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.
--William Cowper
*wonted: accustomed; usual.
KING MOST WONDERFUL
O Jesus, King most wonderful,
Thou Conqueror renowned,
Thou Sweetness irresistible,
In whom all joys are found!
When once Thou visitest the heart,
Then truth begins to shine,
Then earthly vanities depart,
Then kindles Love divine.
O Jesus, Light of all below!
Thou fount of life and fire!
Surpassing all the joys we know,
And all we can desire.
--From the Latin, Medieval;Transl.: Edward Caswall; adapted
SWEET AND PRECIOUS STORY
Hallelujah! How You save me;
Oh, the sweet and precious story!
I will give You all the glory,
And adore Your Love to me.
Hallelujah! How You hear me,
When in prayer Your throne addressing,
While in faith I seek Your blessing,
Then Your smile revealed I see.
Hallelujah! How You lead me;
I will doubt Your promise never,
But believing, follow ever
You Who gave Your life for me.
Hallelujah! How You keep me;
In the Rock You safely hide me.
Every comfort You provide me,
Never Friend so dear to me.
--Grace J. Frances; adapted
GOD IS LOVE!
"God is Love!" -- His Word proclaims it;
Day by day the truth we prove.
Heav'n and Earth with joy are telling,
Ever telling, "God is Love!"
Hallelujah! Tell the story,
Sung by angel choirs above;
Sounding forth the mighty chorus --
"God is Light, and God is Love!"
--Julia Sterling
PRAISES TO OUR KING
Savior, blessed Savior,
Listen while we sing,
Hearts and voices raising
Praises to our King;
All we have to offer,
All we hope to be,
Body, soul and spirit,
All we yield to Thee.
Nearer, ever nearer,
Christ, we draw to Thee,
Deep in adoration
Bending low the knee.
Thou for our redemption
Came on Earth to die;
Thou, that we might follow,
Hast gone up on high.
--Godfrey Thring
HOW SWEET THE NAME **
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In the believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
'Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.
Dear Name! The rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding-place,
My never-failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace.
Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.
--John Newton; adapted
PEARL OF GREATEST PRICE
I've found the "Pearl of greatest price,"
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ I have --
Oh, what a Christ have I!
My Christ He is "The Lord of lords,"
The sovereign "King of kings,"
The risen "Sun of Righteousness,
With healing in His wings."
My Christ He is, "The Tree of Life,"
That in God's Eden grows,
The living "clear as crystal" Stream
Whence life forever flows.
Christ is my meat; Christ is my drink;
My medicine, my health;
My portion, mine inheritance,
Yea, all my boundless wealth.
YE SERVANTS OF GOD
Ye servants of God,
Your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad,
His wonderful Name!
The Name all-victorious,
His Kingdom is glorious,
And rules over all.
Salvation of God,
Who sits on the throne;
Let all cry aloud,
And honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus,
All angels proclaim;
Fall down on their faces,
And worship the Lamb.
Then let us adore,
And give Him His right:
All glory and power,
All wisdom and might,
All honor and blessing,
With angels above,
And thanks never-ceasing,
And infinite Love.
--Charles Wesley
WE ARE SINGING
Singing, singing, we are singing
Of Thy wondrous Love so free,
How it floweth ever onward
Like a vast and mighty sea;
And our souls mount up with gladness,
While we swell the lofty strain:
"Glory, glory, hallelujah
To the Lamb for sinners slain!"
--Grace J. Frances
THY MIGHTY NAME
Thy mighty Name Salvation is,
And keeps my happy soul Above;
Comfort it brings, and power, and peace,
And joy, and everlasting Love;
To me, with Thy dear Name, are given
Pardon, and holiness, and Heaven.
Jesus, my all in all Thou art;
My rest in toil, my ease in pain,
The medicine of my broken heart,
In war my peace, in loss my gain,
My smile beneath the tyrant's frown,
In shame my glory and my crown.
In want my plentiful supply,
In weakness my almighty power,
In bonds my perfect liberty,
My light in Satan's darkest hour,
My joy in grief, my shield in strife,
In death my everlasting life.
--Charles Wesley
LET US JOIN OUR CHEERFUL SONGS
Come, let us join our cheerful songs
With angels round the throne;
Ten thousand thousands are their tongues,
But all their joys are one.
"Worthy the Lamb that died," they cry,
"To be exalted thus;"
"Worthy the Lamb," our lips reply,
"For He was slain for us."
Jesus is worthy to receive
Honor and power divine;
And blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, forever Thine.
Let all that dwell above the sky,
And air, and earth, and waves,
Unite to lift Thy glories high,
And speak Thine endless praise.
The whole creation joins in one,
To bless the sacred Name
Of Him that sits upon the throne,
And to adore the Lamb.
--Isaac Watts; adapted
PRAISE HIM EVERMORE!
Praise the Lord! His glories show,
Saints within His courts below,
Angels round His throne Above,
All that see and share His Love!
Earth to Heaven, and Heaven to Earth,
Tell His wonders, sing His worth!
Age to age, and shore to shore,
Praise Him, praise Him, evermore!
Strings and voices, hands and hearts,
In the concert bear your parts.
All that breathe, your Lord adore!
Praise Him, praise Him, evermore!
--Henry Francis Lyte
BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL!
Praise the King of Glory,
He is God alone;
Praise Him for the wonders
He to us hath shown;
For His promised presence
All the pilgrim way,
For the flaming pillar,
And the cloud by day.
Praise Him shining angels,
Strike your harps of gold;
All His hosts adore Him,
Who His face behold!
Through His great dominion,
While the ages roll,
All His works shall praise Him,
Bless the Lord, my soul!
Praise Him for redemption,
Free to ev'ry soul;
Praise Him for the fountain
That can make us whole;
For His gifts of kindness
And His loving care,
For the blest assurance
That He answers prayer.
Praise Him for the trials
Sent as cords of love,
Binding us more closely
To the things Above;
For the faith that conquers;
Hope that naught can dim,
For the land where loved ones
Gather unto Him.
--E.E. Hewitt
PRAISE OUR CREATOR
Praise our Creator and Savior eternal!
Him who redeemed us from death and the grave;
Sing of His greatness, oh, hail and adore Him,
Strong to deliver and mighty to save.
Praise our Creator, the Fountain of goodness!
Now in His grandeur exalted Above;
Rest in His mercy and trust in His promise,
Ever to keep us, upheld by His Love.
--Fanny Crosby
PRAISE HIM IN HIS MAJESTY
Praise Him in His majesty and strength arrayed;
Praise Him in the firmament His hands have made;
In our lives acknowledge Him the King of kings,
Then in safety we may dwell beneath His wings.
Praise Him in His righteousness, the Holy One;
Spread abroad the wondrous work that He hath done.
Through His perfect sacrifice the world is blest,
Whosoever will, may to Him come and rest.
--Ira D. Sankey
HIS PRAISES I WILL SING
I've learned to sing a glad new song
Of praise unto our King!
And now with all my joyful heart
His praises I will sing.
I've learned to sing the song of peace,
'Tis sweeter ev'ry day,
Since Jesus calmed my troubled soul,
And bore my sins away.
I sing the song of perfect Love,
It casteth out all fear!
O breadth, oh length, oh depth, oh height!
O Love so full of cheer!
I've learned to sing the song of joy;
My cup is running o'er
With blessings full of peace and love:
And still there's more and more.
Soon I shall sing the new, new song
Of Moses and the Lamb,
With all the sainted hosts Above,
Before the great I AM!
--J.B. Aitchinson
WE PRAISE THEE!
We praise Thee, we bless Thee our Savior Divine,
All power and dominion forever be Thine!
We sing of Thy mercy with joyful acclaim,
For Thou hast redeemed us: all praise to Thy Name!
All honor and praise to Thine excellent Name,
Thy Love is unchanging, forever the same!
We bless and adore Thee, O Savior and King;
With joy and thanksgiving Thy praises we sing!
The strength of the hills and the depths of the sea,
The Earth and its fulness, belong unto Thee;
And yet to the lowly Thou bendest Thine ear,
So ready their humble petitions to hear!
Thine infinite goodness our tongues shall employ;
Thou givest us richly all gifts to enjoy;
We'll follow Thy footsteps, we'll rest in Thy Love,
And soon we shall praise Thee in mansions Above!
--Fanny Crosby
REDEEMED!
Redeemed! Redeemed! My song shall be
Through time and through eternity!
Redeemed! Let all the ransomed sing
Eternal praise to Christ our King!
Glory to Him, Whose Love unknown
Touched man's abyss from Heaven's high throne;
Like some new star its radiance beamed,
A new song rose --
Redeemed! Redeemed!
Redeemed! Creation joyful brings
Its tribute to the King of kings;
Redeemed! Earth's million voices raise
One sounding anthem to His praise.
--Rev. S.F. Smith
REJOICE IN THE LORD
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
All ye that are upright in heart;
And ye that have made Him your choice,
Bid sadness and sorrow depart.
Be joyful, for He is the Lord,
On Earth and in Heaven supreme;
He fashions and rules by His Word;
He's mighty and strong to redeem.
What though in the conflict for right
Your enemies almost prevail.
God's armies, just hid from your sight,
Are more than the foes which assail!
Though darkness surround you by day,
Your sky by the night be o'ercast,
Let nothing your spirit dismay,
But trust till the danger is past.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,
His praises proclaiming in song;
With harp, and with organ, and voice,
The loud hallelujahs prolong!
--M.E. Servoss
REJOICE
Rejoice in hope and fear;
Rejoice in life and death;
Rejoice when threatening storms are near,
And comfort languisheth;
When should not we rejoice
Whom Christ His Bride He calls?
We hear and know His guiding voice
When on our hearts it falls.
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MY GOD, I THANK THEE
My God, I thank Thee, Who hast made the Earth so bright,
So full of splendor and of joy, beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here, noble and right.
I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made joy to abound;
So many gentle thoughts and deeds, circling us 'round;
That in the darkest spot of Earth some love is found.
I thank Thee more that all my joy is touched with pain;
That shadows fall in brightest hours, that thorns remain;
So that Earth's bliss may be my guide, and not my chain.
For Thou Who knowest, Lord, how soon our weak heart clings,
Hast given us joys, tender and true, yet all with wings,
So that we see, gleaming on high, diviner things.
I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept the best in store;
I have enough, yet not too much to long for more:
A yearning for a deeper peace not known before.
I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls, though amply blest,
Can never find, although they seek, a perfect rest --
Nor ever shall, until they lean on Thy sweet breast.
--Adelaide Anne Proctor
SERVE THE LORD
Oh, serve the Lord with gladness,
And come before His throne;
He is the great Creator,
And He is God alone!
The Heav'ns declare His glory,
The Earth His power displays;
While millions without number
To Him glad anthems raise.
Oh, serve the Lord with gladness,
And come before His throne;
He is our great Redeemer,
And He is God alone.
Oh, serve the Lord with gladness,
And glad hosannas bring
To Him, the sovereign Ruler,
The universal King!
Forever through the ages
His Truth unchanging stands;
Let all the nations fear Him,
And reverence His commands.
Oh, serve the Lord with gladness,
His Love to all proclaim;
Exalt Him in the highest,
And spread abroad His fame.
All majesty, dominion,
All power and glory be
To Him Who reigns in triumph,
Through all eternity.
--Fanny Crosby
TEN THOUSAND VOICES SINGING
I hear ten thousand voices singing
Their praises to the Lord on high;
Far distant shores and hills are ringing
With anthems of their nation's joy:
Praise ye the Lord! For He hath given
To lands in darkness hid, His light,
As morning rays light up the heaven,
His Word has chased away our night.
Hail to Thee, Lord! Thy people praise Thee;
In every land Thy Name we sing;
On Heaven's eternal throne upraise Thee,
Take Thou Thy power, Thou glorious King!
JESUS IS MY SUNSHINE
The Love of Jesus is my sunshine
His presence is my joy and song,
His loving-kindness floods my being
And keeps me gladsome all day long.
And so my happy heart is singing --
For Jesus is my Lord and King;
His peace to me a heaven is bringing,
And, where He dwells, 'tis always spring.
--A.B. Simpson
THE EVERLASTING ARMS
Arms of Jesus, fold me closer
To Thy strong and loving breast,
Till my spirit on Thy bosom
Finds its everlasting rest.
And when time's sands are sinking,
Shield my heart from all alarms,
Softly whispering, "Underneath thee,
Are the everlasting arms."
--A.B. Simpson
MY LOVE FOR YOU
There are things we cannot measure
Like the depth of waves and sea,
And the height of stars in Heaven,
And the joy You bring to me ...
Like eternity's long endlessness,
And the sunset's golden hue,
There is no way I can measure,
The deep love I have for You!
--Helen Steiner Rice
SHEER JOY
Oh, the sheer joy of it!
Living with Thee,
Lord of the universe,
Lord of a tree,
Maker of mountains,
How I love Thee!
Oh, the sheer joy of it!
Breathing Thy air;
Morning is dawning,
Gone every care,
All the world's singing,
"Love's everywhere."
Oh, the sheer joy of it!
Walking with Thee,
Out on the hilltop,
Down by the sea,
Life is so wonderful,
Life is so free.
Oh, the sheer joy of it!
Ever to be
Living in glory,
Living with Thee,
Lord of my life,
Oh, how I love Thee!
MY PRECIOUS HUSBAND
My precious Husband, day by day,
My love for Thee grows more and more;
Thy gifts are strewn along my way
Like sands upon the great seashore.
My precious Husband, Lord of Love,
Thy gentle gifts all creatures share,
The rolling seasons as they move
Proclaim to all Thy constant care.
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I HEARD YOU WHISPER
I heard You whisper to me, sweet and low;
Your voice went thrilling through me -- I did know
That Your precious Self was near me,
That You'd brought Your Love to cheer me as I go.
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THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING
Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of living,
The privilege of breathing Your air,
The privilege of being alive in the midst
Of such beauty everywhere!
Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy
In giving me eyes to see,
A mind to learn, and voice to speak,
And a faith in Eternity.
Thank You, Lord, for the privilege of loving,
For sharing Your Earth and Your sky --
For Your tender care and for a gift
So rare as the gift of life.
adapted
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family