Rebuke Me Not In Anger (Psalm 6)

words: Gary Hicks (8.29.2010), copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: “St. Christopher” by Frederick Maker, 1881

“Beneath the Cross of Jesus”

Rebuke me not in anger, have mercy on my soul

Your discipline is hard to bear, and I am swallowed whole

Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed, this bed is soaked with tears

My eyes are faint, my soul is weak, my mind is filled with fears.

Return, O God, and free me, deliver me again

Come save me for Your mercies’ sake and heal me from my sin

I cannot thank You from the grave or serve You when I’m gone

But may this day, each waking hour, bring praise to You alone. 

How long, O Lord, forever? At last you see my grief

You hear my voice of weeping and You offer sweet relief

And all my foes turn back in shame, they run and disappear

O bless the Lord! O magnify! My God is present here!

In This Fair Morning (Psalm 5)

words: Gary Hicks

copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: Scottish folk song “Bunessan”

(“Morning Has Broken”)

In this fair morning, God, hear my whisper

Come to my rescue, Come as I call

Mercy I need, and mercy You offer

Here at Your altar, Father, I fall.

You take no joy in wicked endeavors

Surely with You no evil can dwell

Spread your protection over Your children

Give us Your favor, save us from hell.

Clear is Your voice and righteous Your pathway

When I am weak, your mercy is strong.

I can rejoice for You are my refuge

I can be glad for You are my song.

Great are blessings, Lord, they surround us

You are our shield, protecting us all.

Mercy we need, and mercy You offer

Here at Your altar, Father, we fall.

New Hymns Recording - Can You Help?

Hi friends,

Recently my friends Ben and Jillian Trawick

recorded my "Hymn of Welcome",

using the old “Beach Spring” tune.

They did a great job, and I’m very grateful for this kind of support.

Now I’m turning to you –

other friends who are musicians and singers.

Would you consider recording 

one of my hymns or songs?

In return, I’d be glad to promote your projects 

on my blogs,

on Facebook and Twitter.

Over the next year I am hopeful to gather

ten to twenty digital recordings

of hymns or songs I’ve written.

These would be made available to others

for download from my website or by e-mail attachment.

These can be simple vocals 

with guitar or keyboard accompaniment,

or they could be more elaborate,

based on your taste, time, and access to a recording environment.

In general, “raw” is better than refined.

You are welcome to adapt lyrics or tunes

to suit your personal sense of style.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

When you settle on a song to record,

please let me know

so that several won’t inadvertently be recording the same song.

Many of my hymn and song texts 

are available at the “New Hymns” blog 

(www.wattswesley.blogspot.com).

I can provide lead sheets or four-part hymn notation 

for most of them.

A lot of the hymn tunes used

are public domain folk tunes or old hymn tunes.

Thanks for reading!

God bless you,

Gary Hicks

On A Hill Far Away (House of the Rising Sun)

words: George Bennard, adapted

folk tune: “House of the Rising Sun”

words & music paired and arranged by Gary Hicks

arrangement copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

lead sheet available on request

     from caedmullen@gmail.com

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross

The emblem of suffering and shame

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

2. In the old rugged cross stained with blood so divine

A wondrous beauty I see

For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died

To pardon and sanctify me.

3. To the old rugged cross I will ever be true

It’s shame and reproach gladly bear

Then he’ll call me someday to my home far away

Where His glory forever I’ll share.

4. So I’ll cherish, I’ll cherish the old rugged cross

Till my trophies at last I lay down

I will cling, I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown.

Lord, How Majestic Is Your Name (Psalm 8)

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: OLD HUNDREDTH by Louis Bourgeois (1551)

“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”

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.

3. A little lower than the host

Of angels gathered round Your throne;

You crowned our heads with glory

And gave us all the earth to own.

4. 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.

5. Lord, how majestic is Your name

In all the earth, in all Your ways

We join to raise a thankful noise

We lift our hearts in grateful praise!

Another Day, Another Praise

words & music by Gary Hicks

copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

lead sheet available on request

(caedmullen@gmail.com)

1. Another day, another praise

You bless me, Lord, so many ways

And even though my faith is small

I look to You, my All

How could I deserve a faithfulness like Yours

I stand amazed!

HALLELUJAH!

HALLELUJAH!

HALLELUJAH!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE!

(2x)

2. Another day, another praise

You bless me, Lord, so many ways

I come to bow, with thanks I fall

I offer You my all

How could I deserve a faithfulness like Yours

I stand amazed!

I Lift My Eyes Beyond These Hills (Psalm 121)

words by Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: BELMONT, from Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies, 1812

(“When All Thy Mercies”)

I lift my eyes beyond these hills

Beyond the shimmering skies

No human power is my defense

But God my strength supplies.

Almighty is the Lord’s right arm

To comfort and defend

No sleep or slumber does He know

But watches without end.

So I will come and go today

To serve, to laugh, to love

With confidence I rest in Him

And all His mercies prove.

Shine On Us (Psalm 4)

words by Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: “Scarborough Fair” (traditional Scots/English folk tune)

Hear me, God, to heaven I call

In Your mercy answer my prayer

And may the light, the light of Your face

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

Men will turn Your glory to shame

They will love delusion and lies

But You have set Your children apart

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

Teach me, God, to listen for You

On my bed in silence I lie

O search my heart, Lord, quiet my mind

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

By Your grace I trust and obey

All my anger lost in the flow

My heart alive with wonder and joy

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

I lie down and slumber in peace

You alone my fortress, my rock

And You alone, my wonder and joy

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

When You shine, the darkness is gone

When You shine, the morning appears

And in Your blessing, wonder and joy

Shine on us, O, shine on us.

Go Tell It

(American 12-bar blues)

words & music by Gary Hicks

(lead sheet available on request)

based on the traditional spiritual

copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

THAT JESUS CHRIST IS BORN

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN

THAT JESUS CHRIST IS BORN

HEAVEN STOOPED DOWN

TO KISS THE EARTH THAT MORN.

Well, shepherds were watchin’ their flocks in the silent night

Watchin’ their flocks in the dark of the silent night

The sky blazed out with a beautiful holy light.

They were shakin’ their shoes as the angels started to sing

Singin’ the blues til the angels started to sing

Bethlehem’s manger cradled a newborn King.

They ran to the stable to worship Mary’s boy

 Rushed to the stable to see her pride and joy

God came down as a helpless baby boy.

Our Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

words: Gary Hicks, based on Edward Mote (1797-1874)

copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: Norwegian folk melody LANDAS

“My Soul Has Found a Resting Place”

1. Our hope is built on nothing less

Than on the Saviour’s blood

We stand on Jesus' righteousness,

Our brother and our God.

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK WE STAND

ALL OTHER GROUND WILL FAIL

WE TRUST HIS FIRM UNCHANGING HAND

AND JESUS WILL PREVAIL.

2. When darkness seems to hide His face

We rest upon His love

Our confidence is heavenly grace

Lord, help us not to move!

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support us in the storm

When all around us falls away

We rest upon His arm.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound

We’ll rise from earth’s decay

And in His city coming down

Enjoy that endless day!

(I hope to improve this with additional editing.)

My Trials and My Troublers (Psalm 3)

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: ST. DENIO ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise")

My trials and my troublers increase every day

They taunt and distress me, they scornfully say,

“Your God cannot help you, he will not provide.”

But You are my shield – in Your mercy I hide.

Lord, You are my helper, You lift up my head

My hope is restored and I follow Your lead

In weakness I call and You hear my faint cry

I lie down to rest for You linger nearby.

So I shall not fear, though I’ve ten thousand foes

I will not retreat, I will follow You close

You rise up to save me, You strengthen my hand

Defeat the accuser, and rule o’er the land.

Salvation belongs to our God on the throne

He will not abandon, nor leave us alone

In feast or in famine His mercies we feel

In strength or in weakness His blessings are real.

O worship, O honor our Father, our Friend

O shout to declare that His reign has no end

O bow down with angels and elders above

Come rest in His peace, and delight in His love!

Hymn of Welcome - Free Download!

Last Saturday my friends Ben and Jillian Trawick
recorded my “Hymn of Welcome”.

You can have a free download of the recording
(sent to you by email)
if you contact me by email:
caedmullen@gmail.com

We Welcome You, O Humble Child

words: Gary & Connie Hicks

copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: ELLACOMBE  

from Gesangbuch der Herzogl, Wurttemburg, 1784.

[tune: I SING THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD]

We welcome You, O humble child 

            who to a stable came

You laid aside Your mighty power 

            to take a lowly name

We welcome You, Eternal Word, 

            made flesh and blood and bone

You know our weakness and our pain, 

            yet claim us for Your own.

We worship You, O spotless Lamb,

            who suffered in our place

You paid the awful sacrifice

            to bring us heavenly grace

We worship You, despised of men,

            subjected to such loss

The Bridge who brings us back to God

            by Calvary's cruel cross.

We lift You high, O Risen Sun,

            our Brother and our Friend

Exalted to the highest place,

            Your praise shall have no end

Your name above all other names

            let every tongue confess

For You are Lord above all lords,

            Our Peace and Righteousness!

Almighty God, Our Father, Our Provider

Thanksgiving Hymn

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: FINLANDIA by Jean Sibelius

Almighty God, our Father, our Provider

All good and perfect gifts come down from You

Your mighty hand sustains us and defends us

You are our rock, our strength this whole life through

We lift our hearts in wonder and thanksgiving

With songs of praise we come to worship You.

Though we had gone astray, Your love was reaching

Our debt was paid by Your beloved Son

He died and rose again for our salvation

And through Your Spirit we are made as one.

How great Your love, how strong Your grace and mercy!

We yield our hearts, our lives ‘til life is done.

Why Do the Nations Plot (Psalm 2)

Psalm 2

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks (8.10.2010)

tune needed

Why do the nations plot against the Lord?

Why do they groan, and rage against the Son?

Vain are their plans, and futile every word

When darkness falls, their schemings come undone.

But hear God thunder from His heavenly place:

“I set my King upon the holy hill.

Be wise, and my beloved Son embrace,

For in my mercy you are welcomed still.”

“Come ask of me, for I will give the earth

 And every nation to this Son I love.”

Yes, Lord, we come to sing Your power and worth

To serve Your cause, and every promise prove!

I Need Your Mercy Every Hour

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks
inspired by the gospel song “I Need Thee Every Hour”
tune: KINGSFOLD, traditional English melody
(“O Sing a Song of Bethlehem”) (The United Methodist Hymnal #179)
may be sung to any Common Meter Double (CMD) tune

I need Your mercy every hour

O Fortress, safe and strong

You are my refuge and my rock

My joy, my strength, my song.

I need Your mercy every hour

When Your sweet voice I hear

The winds subside, the waves roll back

And storm clouds disappear.

I need Your mercy every hour

For sin’s allure is strong

Or subtle in its sly deceit

Enticing me to wrong.

I need Your mercy every hour

Forgive me of my sin

Restore my joy and cleanse my heart

O make me pure within.

I need Your mercy every hour

Help me to sing Your praise

And lift up holy hands to You

The Maker of my days.

I need Your mercy every hour

Your guiding staff and rod

O bless me as I come to You

My Saviour and my God.

How Blessed Are Those (Psalm 1)

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

Tune: BELMONT, from Gardiner’s Sacred Melodies, 1812

(When All Thy Mercies) (see "PRAISE: Our Songs and Hymns" #14)

How blessed are those who will not heed

The words of sinful men

Who will not walk in scoffers’ ways

Nor blindly sit with them.

But may Your Word be my delight

My guide in dark’ning days

To meditate, by day and night

On Your great, gracious ways.

O Lord, You know my words, my deeds

With You I choose to stand

And with Your faithful common saints

That motley blood-washed band.

Then as the passing years will trace

My fleeting, aging frame

Yet, like a watered, fruitful tree

I’ll glorify Your name.