I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

may be sung to AZMON (8.6.8.6.) (C.M.)

(O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing)

tune by Carl G. Glaser (1784-1829)

I know that my Redeemer lives

The thunder claps and cries

The oceans roar to lift His name

He speaks from starry skies.

And though I face this darkening hour

With struggles in my soul

I will not yield to dark despair

My God is in control.

The sun will shine, the clouds roll back

The birds resume their song

And from these troubles I shall rise

With joy to sing along.

I know that my Redeemer lives

And on the earth shall stand

I rest, I nestle in His arms

And trust His mighty hand.

Be Joyful in the Lord, O Lands (Jubilate)

(Psalm 100)

Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

may be sung to KINGSFOLD 

(traditional English melody) 

(O Sing A Song of Bethlehem)

secondary tunes: 

ELLACOMBE 

(I Sing the Mighty Power of God)

                 and FOREST GREEN

Be joyful in the LORD, O lands

Let shouts of gladness rise

Acknowledge now your gracious God

The Sovereign of the skies

He shaped us by His grand design

He rules the cosmos well

We are His sheep, His precious flock

In His green fields we dwell.

O bring thanksgiving through His gates

Your loud and grateful songs

Come bless our just and holy God

To Him our praise belongs

For He is good, His mercy lasts,

His truth endures always

Let all His kingdom rise in awe

To render shouts of praise. 

Your Home is Magnificent (Psalm 84)

Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

may be sung to the Welsh hymn tune ST. DENIO

(Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)

Your home is magnificent, LORD of the skies

From here in Your courtyard I lift up my eyes

The views are delightful, my eyes drink them in

My heart sings for joy at the beautiful scene.

The sparrow has found here a peaceable home

And even the swallow, a place for her young

For here on Your altars they placidly rest

While angels are watching they feather their nest.

How happy are those who call Your house their own

Their strength is in You, and to You they can run

Far better one day here than living with kings

I rest in Your presence, my happy heart sings!

Come Let Us Sing Unto the Lord (Venite)

Psalm 95:1-7; 96:9, 13

words: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

may be sung to MELITA (8.8.8.8.8.8.)

(Eternal Father, Strong to Save)

music by John B. Dykes (1823-1876)

Come let us sing unto the LORD

With songs of joy for His strong arm

And grateful to His presence come

With glad and thankful psalms of praise

Come lift your voice and gladly sing

To glorify our mighty King.

He is the Lord, above all gods

In His strong hand He holds the earth

The strength of all the hills is His

He made the sea and owns its waves

Come lift your voice and gladly sing

To glorify our mighty King.

O let us worship and bow down

Before the LORD our Maker kneel

For He is Yahweh, gracious God

We are the sheep of domain

Come lift your voice and gladly sing

To glorify our mighty King.

O worship Him in holiness

And let the whole earth stand in awe

For now He comes to judge the earth

With righteousness and in His truth

So come, with saints and angels sing

To glorify our mighty King.

God the Father, Great Creator

Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary H. Hicks 

Polish folk tune W ZLOBIE LEZY

(Infant Holy, Infant Lowly)

1. God the Father, Great Creator

From before the dawn of time

You are holy, You are worthy

With a gracious plan in mind

We acclaim You with the angels

With Your Church throughout the ages

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

2. Son of God, our great Messiah

To a virgin’s womb You came

Suffered humbly here among us

Jesus Christ, the highest name

Made us righteous by Your Passion

Hear our praise from every nation

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

3. Holy Spirit, Wind from heaven

Breath of Jesus, Heavenly Dove

Come and break us, come to change us

Fill our hearts with holy love

Blessed Trinity, together

From eternity, forever

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD!

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight (Anne Steele)

I was introduced to Anne Steele by the Indelible Grace hymns project and by the group Jars of Clay, which has recorded several of her hymns with new tunes and rhythms.
Anne Steele

Born: May 1716, Broughton, Hampshire, England.

Died: November 11, 1778, Broughton, Hampshire, England.

Buried: Broughton, Hampshire, England.

Pseudonym: Theodosia.

Anne was the daughter of William Steele, a timber merchant who was also a lay preacher at the Baptist church in Broughton. She lost her mother at age 3. At age 19, a severe hip injury made her a lifelong invalid. At age 21, her fiancé drowned the day before they were to be married. From this ser­ies of tragedies rose 144 hymns and 34 versified Psalms, which were enormously popular. Her main work was Poems on Subjects Chiefly Devotional (1760). When Trinity Church in Boston, Massachusetts (where Phillips Brooks later became rector) published its hymnal in 1808, 59 of its 144 hymns were from the pen of Anne Steele. She preferred to remain anonymous, though, writing under a pen name. Her tombstone carried the following words:

     Silent the lyre, and dumb the tuneful tongue,

     That sung on earth her great Redeemer’s praise;

     But now in Heaven she joins the angelic song,

     In more harmonious, more exalted lays.

--------------------------------------------------
words by Anne Steele (1760) 

tune by Gary Hicks (2005) © 2010 Gary L. Hicks 

(written music available from caedmullen@gmail.com)

1. Thou lovely Source of true delight,

Whom I unseen adore;

Unveil Thy beauties to my sight,

That I may love Thee more.

Thy glory o’er creation shines; 

But in Thy sacred Word,

I read in fairer, brighter lines,

My bleeding, dying Lord.

2. Jesus, my Lord, my Life, my Light,

O come with blissful ray;

Break radiant through the shades of night,
And chase my fears away.

’Tis here, whene’er my comforts droop,
And sins and sorrows rise,
Thy love with cheerful beams of hope,
My fainting heart supplies.

3. Then shall my soul with rapture trace
The wonders of Thy love;
But the full glories of Thy face
Are only known above.

Jesus, my Lord, my Life, my Light,

O come with blissful ray;

Break radiant through the shades of night,
And chase my fears away.

Christ Gives the Soul a Sabbath Rest

(Hebrews 4:1-11; Philippians 4:6-7; John 14:27)

words: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: Norwegian folk melody LANDÁS 

(My Faith Has Found A Resting Place) (C.M.)

or Gaelic folk melody THE STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

1. Christ gives the soul a Sabbath rest

On ev’ry busy day

A shelter from the stormy strife

And joy to light the way.

WE FIND OUR REFUGE IN THE LORD

WHOSE ARMS ARE OPENED WIDE

HIS SABBATH REST IS OURS TODAY

WHILE IN OUR ROCK WE HIDE.

2. We lean on everlasting arms

We gaze upon His face

No foe can steal our deeper joy

That rests upon His grace.

3. There is a hill where Jesus died

An empty, beaten grave

They testify to love divine

And Jesus’ pow’r to save.

4. We have a bleeding Advocate

Who stands before the throne

He shows His scars, reveals His wounds

And names us as His own.

Author of Life Divine (Eucharistic Prayer) (John Wesley)

words by John Wesley (vv.1,2) & Gary Hicks (v.3)

music by Gary Hicks 

(lead sheet available by request - caedmullen@gmail.com)

© 2010 Gary L. Hicks

1. Author of life divine, 
You have a table spread,

Furnished with mystic wine 
And everlasting bread,

Preserve the life that You have giv’n,

Preserve the life that You have giv’n,

And feed and train us up for Heaven.

2. Our needy souls sustain 
With fresh supplies of love,
Till all Your life we gain, 
And all Your fullness prove,
And, strengthened by Your perfect grace,
Strengthened by Your perfect grace,

Behold without a veil Your face.

3. Author of life divine, 
Who loves us all our days,

Fill us with Your new wine 
And everlasting praise,

Lord, take us from this holy place

Take us from this holy place

To bless the earth with heaven’s grace.

Depth of Mercy (Charles Wesley) new tune & chorus

This beautiful hymn text by Charles Wesley 
is relatively obscure and unused in the 21st century. 
It touches me deeply and should be rescued 
from obscurity using a 21st century musical setting, 
whether this one suggested by me, 
or one written by someone else.


words: verses by Charles Wesley (altered)  

           chorus by Gary Hicks

music by Gary Hicks 

(lead sheet available by e-mail -- caedmullen@gmail.com)

© 2010 Gary L. Hicks

Depth of mercy! Can there be 

Mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear, 

Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace, 

Long provoked Him to His face,

Would not hear His gracious calls, 

Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

CHORUS:  LORD HAVE MERCY, CHRIST HAVE MERCY

LORD HAVE MERCY, CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME.

Jesus, answer from above, 

Is not all Your nature love?
Will You not the wrong forget, 

Lord, I fall before Your feet?

Now incline me to repent, 

Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore, 

Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood! 

He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move, 

Justice lingers into love.

There for me the Savior stands, 

Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel; 

Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Rap -- Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name (Psalm 8)

text: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: OLD 100TH (Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow) 

by Louis Bourgeois (1510-1561)

1. LORD, how majestic is Your name
In all the earth and all the skies

The little children sing Your praise
From infant lips Your songs arise.

2. When I consider all Your works
The moon and stars in vast array

I marvel at Your love for us – 
The man and woman You have made.

(rap) How glorious is the name of the LORD

All His people should praise and adore

When (even) little children lift their praise

The power of the foe is done away.

(break)

(rap) When I look at the earth with its mighty oceans

My heart is stirred to deep devotion

The beauty of flowers, (and) the strength of trees

(The) graceful dolphins and the fish in the sea

The hummingbird and (the) mighty lion

(And) midnight stars like Struve and Orion

(break)

(rap) But God made humans His greatest love

He destined us for heaven above

(We’re) Lower than the angels for a (little) while,

But it’s us who make the Father smile

He put all the earth under our feet

It ours to manage ‘til (the) time is complete.

3. You gave us an exalted place
And, though You know us very well

Put all your works beneath our feet
All creatures that on earth do dwell.

4. LORD, how majestic is Your name
In all the earth, in all Your ways

We join to raise a joyful noise
We join our hearts to lift Your praise.

(rap) How glorious is the name of the LORD
All His people should praise and adore

Sing Hallelu! lift up your voice
Give to the LORD a joyful noise!

(rap “chorus”)

Sing Hallelu! lift up your voice
Give to the LORD a joyful noise!

Sing Hallelu! lift up your voice
Give to the LORD a joyful noise!

Father, How You Bless Us (Trinity Hymn)

text: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: NICAEA (Holy, Holy, Holy) by John B. Dykes (1823-1876)

1. Father, how You bless us, Shelter and protect us

Though our hearts are turned away to follow lesser things

Still Your hand is blessing, Comforting, correcting

Father, to You this hymn of thanks we bring.

2. Jesus Christ, our brother, Born to be like us

Crushed for our iniquities, You freely bore our shame

Died and resurrected, Gloriously ascended

Jesus, we stand to magnify Your name.

3. Holy Spirit, fill us, Come and renew us

Burn in us with holy fire to set the world ablaze

Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Now and forever Worthy of all praise.

(4. Play verse again as the people praise.)

Now He is Ris'n Indeed, The Master of the Day (Malachi 4:2)

text: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: DIADEMATA (Crown Him With Many Crowns) 

6.6.8.6.D. (S.M.D.)

George J. Elvey (1816-1893)

1. Now He is ris’n indeed, the Master of the Day

His glorious beauty fills the earth and shadows flee away

Our Sun of Righteousness with healing in His wings,

He rises high to bless the earth, our radiant King of kings.

2. Now He is ris’n indeed, the Master of the Night

Our fear of death must fall away before His strength’ning light

No enemy can stand before the Rising Son

He stoops to conquer ev’ry foe, His day of strength has come.

3. Now He is ris’n indeed, the Lord of heav’n and earth

And in His wake we rise to claim the promise of new birth

Sing loud, adoring praise: His victory is won

We too shall rise to reign with Him around the heav’nly throne!

We Boldly Declare the Word of the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:21-24)

text: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: LYONS (O Worship the King) 10.10.11.11.

attributed to Johann Michael Haydn (1737-1806), 

in Wm. Gardiner’s “Sacred Melodies”, 1815

1. We boldly declare the Word of the LORD

For He is our strength, His scripture our sword

We stand on His promise, we speak to obey

Affirming the truth of His wonder-filled way.

2. The battle is fierce, the enemy strong

Take courage to fight, and lift up a song:

“Give praise to the LORD, for His mercy endures!”

The foe will retreat and the land will be ours.

3. So thanks be to God, who leads us with pow’r

We triumph in Him, His victory is ours

The kingdom of darkness before us must fall

It cannot prevail – Jesus rules over all.

Come Bring the Music, Bring the Song

text: Gary Hicks © 2005 Gary L. Hicks

music: GREENSLEEVES (English folk tune, 16^th century)

(What Child Is This)

1. Come bring the music, bring the song

And lift Him high before us

O crown Him Lord, our faithful God

And raise His mighty chorus.

Chorus: SHOUT! SHOUT THE JOYFUL NOISE

LIFT HIGH THE CROWN, SING PRAISES

LOUD, LOUD, DECLARE HIM LORD

THE MASTER OF THE AGES.

2. O raise the sound of Jubilee

Shout freedom to the nations

For Christ the Lamb is slain for us

The Author of salvation.

3. He shall descend with trumpet blast

And ev’ry eye will see Him

To rule the earth with peace at last

His just and glorious kingdom.

O How Gracious, O How Kind

I learned this simple Gaelic tune (whose name I can't pronounce) from the "Irish Heartbeat" CD by Van Morrison and The Chieftains in the the song "My Match It Is Made." 

text: Gary Hicks © 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: TÁ MO CHLEAMHNAS DÉANTA (Gaelic folk tune)

1. O how gracious, O how kind

Freely You lavish mercy on us

We would be foolish, we would be blind

Never to sing, never to thank You.

  

2. O how perfect is the love

Freely You offer in Your Son

We would be foolish, we would be blind

Never to sing, never to thank You.

3. Alleluia! Allelu!

Praise to the Father, the Spirit, the Son

Great is Your mercy, grateful our song

Ever we sing, ever we thank You.

4. La, la, la, la… Ever we sing, ever we thank You.

Holy Spirit, Come in Blessing

text: Gary Hicks(October 8, 2005) 

© 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: BEECHER (8.7.8.7.D.) 

(Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)

by John Zundel (1815-1882)

1. Holy Spirit, come in blessing,

Breathe on us Your holy fire

Burn to bring the sweet refreshing

Burn to kindle fresh desire.

We confess our sin before You

We admit this stain of pride

While in wonder we adore You

Come and cleanse Your waiting bride.

2. Holy Spirit, come and shake us

Break our grasp from lesser things

Call us to a higher purpose

Now to serve the King of kings.

Dying to each vain ambition

Willing now to suffer loss

Bring Your plan to sweet fruition

As we bear the servant’s cross.

3. Holy Spirit, come in power

Give us vision for these days

As we face this trying hour

Breathe through us to sing Your praise.

In the streets and to the nations

May the Name of Jesus sound

Break the yoke and bring salvation

Scatter blessing all around.

I Hear Sweet Music In the Night

words: Gary Hicks (October 6, 2005 revised May 21,2010)
© 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: traditional American folk tune APPALACHIA (8.8.8.8.)

1. I hear sweet music in the night
A strengthening song upon my soul
I rise in hope to face the light
And by its brightness I am whole

2. There is no enemy so strong
There is no darkness over me
For in my heart I hear that song
My spirit sings its harmony.

3. And though I cannot see His face
Though troubles threaten all around
In Him I find a plenteous grace
In Him I hear a joyful sound.

4. We hear the angels as they sing
Our weary ears hear that sweet sound
We lift our voice, our offering
And feel His glory all around.

5. There is no dread, no lingering fear
But rising sun and dawning day
“Come, LORD, and speak, we want to hear
We want to listen and obey.”

the flaw and the fix

right here
this is where the war is

i want to be God’s man

sold out

fiery hot for Him

but like paul says

i wrestle

here’s an inner weakness

a soul stupidity

i can beat it back

but it never fully leaves

always lurking somewhere

it’s an idle curiosity

a stumbling sin i want to hide

a wandering thought, a lazy hour

a secret vanity

but today I beat it back

i rise

i pray

i listen

i humble myself, as best i can

i give God my first time

drink from the Spirit’s well

put on my armour

i give others my love, my time

turning upward

and turning outward

i lose myself

and that’s always a good thing

Romans 8:12-14

¹²Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. ¹³For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ¹⁴because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

If God Be For Us (Romans 8:31-39)

text: Gary Hicks © 2005

music: old English tune GOD REST YE MERRY, GENTLEMEN

1. If God be for us, who can stand to charge us or condemn?

The Father offered up His Son to suffer for all men

And Christ is risen now indeed to comfort and defend.

O TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY, COMFORT AND JOY

O TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY.

2. What foe shall separate us from the love of Christ our Lord,

No fearsome tribulation, persecution or the sword

In ev’ry trial we overcome to conquer by His Word!

O TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY, COMFORT AND JOY

O TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY.

3. So come and bless Jehovah and revel in His love

No pow’r can separate us from our Friend who reigns above

Let ev’ry tongue declare His praise and all creation prove

HIS TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY, COMFORT AND JOY

O TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY.

O Sing, O Sing Before the Lord

(Cantate Domino) (Ps. 149 & 150)

words: Gary Hicks(October 4, 2005, revised May 3, 2010) © 2010

music: I SING THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD

            (traditional English folk melody FOREST GREEN) (8.6.8.6.D) (C.M.D.)

or O SING A SONG OF BETHLEHEM (English melody KINGSFOLD)

1. O sing, O sing before the LORD

A brand new song of praise

Come all you faithful, lend your voice

And alleluias raise

O celebrate our Maker’s Name

Be joyful in our King

Exult before Him in the dance

And strike your tambourine!

2. For God delights in us, in us,

Reflect and stand amazed

He may rejoice in other things

Yet we command His gaze

How bless’d to be His heart’s desire,

The focus His love

O shout, O shout your heartfelt praise

His sweet affections prove.

3. Praise God within His holy house

And under open sky

Employ your music and your art

To lift His glory high

The trumpet and the violin

Sweet flute and strong guitar

Loud cymbals and the thundering drum

To spread His praise afar!

4. Let ev’ry living, singing tongue

Declare the Maker’s praise

We have no other name to bless

Who loves us all our days.

He triumphs over ev’ry foe

And helps us do the same

O sing, O sing before the LORD

And magnify His name!