Just Another Melodic Monday - Before the throne of God above

It's funny - I was just looking back over the Melodic Monday blog posts since I began them in October 2015, looking for inspiration for a song for this week, and I realised that there is a classic hymn that we haven't featured but one that has become popular over the last couple of decades.

"Before the throne of God above" was written by Charitie Lees Smith in 1863.  It's original title was "The Advocate" as the song expresses the role of Jesus Christ "who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us" (Romans 8:34).  It was given a new melody in 1997 by Vikki Cook from Sovereign Grace Music, and this acoustic version is performed by Mark Rasmussen and friend.

Just Another Melodic Monday - How Can I Keep From Singing?

Here is a hymn that I haven't heard in a long time!  "How can I keep from singing" was first published in 1868, with music written by Robert Lowry.  However, it's unknown who originally wrote the words.  

The hymn expresses how the hope of future glory and the eternal security we have in Christ give us a joy that is able to withstand the griefs of this present world. The words of the first verse are:

My life flows on in endless song;

Above earth's lamentation,

I hear the sweet though far-off hymn

That hails a new creation;

Through all the tumult and the strife

I hear the music ringing;

It finds an echo in my soul—

How can I keep from singing?

Just Another Melodic Monday - Yield Not To Temptation

Wow - I haven't heard this hymn in a long time!  "Yield not to temptation" is a hymn that calls us to obedience to and reliance upon Jesus Christ.  It was written by Horatio Palmer in the nineteenth century and is performed here by Hasan Green.

Just Another Melodic Monday - My Jesus, I love thee

"My Jesus, I love thee" is performed here by Red Mountain Church, from their album "Depth of Mercy".  This hymn was written by William R. Featherston about 150 years ago and proclaims the love that Christians have for their Saviour, Jesus Christ, through all the seasons of life and into eternity.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Be Still, My Soul (Acapella)

The hymn "Be still, my soul" was written by Katharina von Schlegel in the 1700's, then translated into English by Jane Borthwick in the 1800's.  This acapella version contains an additional chorus.  The words of the final verse are:

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Be A Lamp

"Be a lamp" by Kha Do is a hymn that expresses the Christian's prayer for light in a dark world.  The song is performed by the Norton Hall Band.

Be a lamp for all my days, Lord, bear a torch that I might see

Through the fog of bitter pain and know your purpose lies beneath

Oh, to taste and see the gospel as I never have before!

Be a lamp for all my days and I shall walk in endless joy

Just Another Melodic Monday - Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted

In this video, which combines song lyrics with verses from the Bible, Thomas Kelly's hymn "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted" is performed by Fernando Ortega.

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Just Another Melodic Monday - Trust and Obey

The hymn "Trust and Obey" by John Sammis, performed by Chelsea Moon and the Franz Brothers.

Trust and obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey

Just Another Melodic Monday - Be Thou My Vision

This is the hymn "Be thou my vision" performed by Kenta Dedachi and Yuyu, with an additional bridge that goes:

O God, be my everything! Be my delight!

Be, Jesus, my glory! My soul satisfied!

Just Another Melodic Monday - Abide with me

A gentle start to the week with "Abide with me", a testimony of - and prayer for - God's ongoing help and guidance.  Words by Henry Lyte, music by Justin Smith and performed by Indelible Grace Music.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Wonderful, Merciful Saviour

Selah perform a more modern hymn called "Wonderful, Merciful Saviour" which reminds us of the incredible God - Father, Son and Spirit - whom we encounter when we believe the gospel.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Jesus shall reign

"Jesus shall reign" is a hymn by Isaac Watts about the return of Christ when "every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:11).  The hymn was written about 300 years ago, but has recently had a chorus added by Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Jason Waller performs the classic hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", a sung prayer that expresses the Christian's desire to be in fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Great is thy faithfulness

The hymn "Great is thy faithfulness" was written by Thomas Chisholm, and here is performed by Jimmy Needham.  The hymn recognises that, even though the world around us changes, we always have "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow" because of the unchanging faithfulness of our God.

Just Another Melodic Monday - All Creatures of our God and King

I had planned to meet with Nathan Smith last week, Lead Pastor of Grace Church Bristol, but we had to postpone.  I first met Nathan at a Sovereign Grace Conference several years ago, and we've continued to meet up a couple of times a year to share news and encourage each other - while having a nice meal, of course!  You can visit their church website at gracechurchbristol.org.

Here is a song from Sovereign Grace Music that we sing regularly, combining words from the sixteenth and twenty first centuries!

Just Another Melodic Monday - How Deep The Father's Love For Us

"How deep the Father's love for us" was written by Stuart Townend in 1995. It draws our attention to the immense love of God and the glory of Jesus Christ, both of which are displayed at the cross.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Ancient Words

This modern hymn was written by Lynn DeShazo and is performed here by Michael W. Smith.  The lyric express an appreciation for the power and importance of God's Word, the Bible, and a desire to be changed by it.

Just Another Melodic Monday - Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul

The title of my sermon last Sunday morning was "Faith and Doubt", and this hymn seemed a very suitable way for us to respond to the message.

Just Another Melodic Monday: Psalm 139 (Were I to Cross from Land to Land)

I've recently been listening an album of "New Scottish Hymns", and wanted to share this version of Psalm 139, "Were I to Cross from Land to Land", which reminds us of the sovereignty of God in life and death, and the joy of knowing his steadfast love.

Just Another Melodic Monday - How Deep The Father's Love For us

How deep the Father's love for us!  How vast beyond all measure!

An encouraging reminder of God's love with an acoustic version of the hymn, "How deep the Father's love for us".