How Excellent is Your Great Name

Psalm 8

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

tune: HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING by Robert Lowry

O how majestic is Your name

Your glory high above us

So great, in majesty enthroned

Yet You stoop low to love us.

Your name rings out as children sing

As infant tongues adore You

And every foe is silenced then

On bended knee before You.

HOW EXCELLENT IS YOUR GREAT NAME

HOW GREAT YOUR LOVE AND FAVOR

WE STAND TO WORSHIP AND TO PRAISE

OUR LORD, OUR KING, OUR SAVIOUR!

When I consider all Your works

The universe around me

I see Your great creative hand

The sea and sky astound me

And we were made, the human race

With glory and with honour

To rule all creatures great and small

And to reflect Your wonder.

HOW EXCELLENT IS YOUR GREAT NAME

HOW GREAT YOUR LOVE AND FAVOR

WE STAND TO WORSHIP AND TO PRAISE

OUR LORD, OUR KING, OUR SAVIOUR!

Thank You, Thank You Lord

(a Prodigal Son Blues)

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

THANK YOU, THANK YOU LORD

THANK YOU, THANK YOU LORD

THANK YOU, THANK YOU JESUS

THANK YOU, THANK YOU LORD

YOU ARE GOOD AND YOUR LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!

1. You called me to come when I was almost gone

Called me to come when my life was almost done

Held me close and You welcomed me to Your home.

   

2. You gave me a robe and a beautiful family ring

Clean white robe and a beautiful family ring

Put shoes on my feet and You taught me how to sing.

3. You laid out a banquet and the music started to play

Good food on the table and the band began to play

Party goin’ on at Father’s house today!

Through My Tears (Mary Magdalene's Song)

[John 20:10-18] 

from the cantata "Mary's Son"

words & music by Gary Hicks ©1987 Gary L. Hicks

(lead sheet available on request)

Weeping as I came to the place where You were laid

All my hopes had vanished on that hill   

All Your noble words, and those eyes that shone with love

Everything I lived for now was stilled.

THEN, THROUGH MY TEARS, WHO IS THAT I HEAR?

RABBONI, MY SAVIOR AND MY FRIEND

THROUGH MY TEARS, THROUGH ALL MY CRUSHING FEARS,

COMES THE SWEET ASSURANCE THAT YOU LIVE AGAIN...

RABBONI...   ADONAI...   MY FRIEND!

Behold the Morning Sun

Here's Isaac Watts' take on Psalm 19. 

Does anyone have a new tune for it?

(published in 1719)

Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

But where the Gospel comes
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.

How perfect is Thy Word!
And all Thy judgments just!
For ever sure Thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.

My gracious God, how plain
Are Thy directions giv’n!
O may I never read in vain,
But find the path to Heav’n!

I hear Thy word with love,
And I would fain obey:
Send Thy good Spirit from above
To guide me, lest I stray.

O who can ever find
The errors of his ways?
Yet with a bold, presumptuous mind
I would not dare transgress.

Warn me of every sin,
Forgive my secret faults,
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.

While with my heart and tongue
I spread Thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Savior and my God.

On Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:

the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:

sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned:

and in keeping of them there is great reward.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

converting the soul (Psalm 19:7)

your law, your word, is perfect

fully what you intend it to be

flawless in its nature and quality

true in its essence and totality

correct in its statements

right in its judgement

pure in its motivation

your testimony is sure,

and it affects us when we read it

it touches us when we hear it

it changes us when we meditate on it,

chewing and swallowing and digesting.

it nourishes us

and inevitably it changes us

our souls are converted

we are altered at your altar

what do we need?

we don’t even know

but there is a longing for you

a desire to move with you

to resonate with the tones you’ve produced

to partner with you in the dance

to be with you, in you

to be a part of you

a yearning, an aching sometimes

more to be desired than gold

more to be enjoyed than rubies

sweeter than honey

better than raspberries with ice cream

how good you are!

and I want to love you more

how good is your word,

and I want to love it more!

Psalm 19

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks
tune: RESTORATION, from Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835
(Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy)


Oh, what beauty in the heavens

Lord, I marvel at their song

For they sing of Your creation

Speak Your greatness clear and strong

You have made the sun above us

So to bless the earth with light

Rising strong to warm the nations

Setting strong to give us night

But Your word is even stronger

Than the radiance of the sun

As You speak and as we listen

Deep inside Your kingdom comes

How Your word makes wise the simple

More to be desired than gold

How Your message brings rejoicing

To the worn and weary soul

Keep my mind from vain presumption

Keep my heart from boastful sin

Train me in the way of Jesus

Teach me to be pure within

Let my words meet Your approval

Let my actions win Your praise

Live in me, O Holy Spirit

Guard my heart and guide my ways

Psalm 19 (King James Version)

 ¹The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 ²Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

 ³There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

 ⁴Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

 ⁵Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

 ⁶His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

 ⁷The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

 ⁸The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

 ⁹The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

 ¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

 ¹¹Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

 ¹²Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

 ¹³Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

 ¹⁴Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

BEHOLD THE MORNING SUN (Psalm 19)

(Isaac Watts, 1719)

Behold, the morning sun
Begins his glorious way;
His beams through all the nations run,
And life and light convey.

But where the Gospel comes
It spreads diviner light;
It calls dead sinners from their tombs,
And gives the blind their sight.

How perfect is Thy Word!
And all Thy judgments just!
For ever sure Thy promise, Lord,
And men securely trust.

My gracious God, how plain
Are Thy directions giv’n!
O may I never read in vain,
But find the path to Heav’n!

I hear Thy word with love,
And I would fain obey:
Send Thy good Spirit from above
To guide me, lest I stray.

O who can ever find
The errors of his ways?
Yet with a bold, presumptuous mind
I would not dare transgress.

Warn me of every sin,
Forgive my secret faults,
And cleanse this guilty soul of mine,
Whose crimes exceed my thoughts.

While with my heart and tongue
I spread Thy praise abroad,
Accept the worship and the song,
My Savior and my God.

Unbelief Be Gone

Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks (tune needed)

I believe You, Lord

Unbelief be gone

Free me from these sorry chains

Let my heart be one

No domain of pride

No divided place

Sweet repentance here I find

At Your throne of grace

I believe You, Lord

You are here with me

Ever faithful, patient friend

Set my spirit free

You are all my hope

Light upon my way

Lord, I need You every hour

Every passing day.

I believe You, Lord

Unbelief be gone

Free me from these sorry chains

Let my heart be one

No domain of pride

No divided place

Sweet repentance here I find

At Your throne of grace.

Come and Sing Your Joyful Songs

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: traditional Scottish folk melody MARIE’S WEDDING (7.7.7.6.)

1. Come and sing your joyful songs

Clap your hands and dance along

Play the music loud and strong

To the King of glory.

CHORUS:

MERCIFUL AND GOOD IS HE

DEPTH OF MERCY, CAN THERE BE?

GRACE TO PARDON, POWER TO FREE

SING TO THE KING OF GLORY.

2. Lift your gates, O ancient doors

Welcome now the LORD of lords

King of angels evermore

Is the King of glory.

CHORUS

3. Worship Him in one accord

Worship your exalted LORD

Strong and faithful to His Word

Is the King of glory.

CHORUS

4. Lai, lai, lai…

CHORUS

Sing to the Lord a Brand New Song

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: “Lasst Uns Erfreuen” Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1623

(All Creatures of Our God and King)

Sing to the LORD a brand new song,

Lift up your voice and make it strong,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Raise up your hands in one accord,

Worship our Maker and our Lord,

O praise Him, O praise Him,

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Radiant in splendour and in light,

Glorious in majesty and might,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Though He has suffered in our place,

Death could not hold the God of grace:

He is risen! He is risen!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

One is the Father with the Son,

And with the Spirit: Three-in-One,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Humble yourselves before the Lord,

Humble your hearts to hear His Word,

O hear Him! O hear Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Raise up the crown upon His head;

Freely for us His blood was shed;

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Join with the angels to applaud

Come magnify our awesome God,

Come and worship! Come and worship!

Worship Jesus! Worship Jesus! Alleluia!

Let This Mind Be in Me

(image: The Divine Servant ® )

(Philippians 2:5-11)

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

tune: German folk song (name unknown)
a round or canon

Let this mind be in me, which was in Christ

Willing to sacrifice, willing to pay the price

Willing to suffer, a servant to all.

Let this mind be in me, which was in Christ

Willing to serve in a place of obscurity

Willing to lay down my privilege, my life.

Let this mind be in me, which was in Christ

Willing to sacrifice, willing to pay the price

Willing to suffer, a servant to all.

Lord, Give Me Faith That Stands the Test

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

tune: Wexford Carol, 12^th century Irish folk tune

Lord, give me faith that stands the test,

And in the time of trouble rests

Secure and firm, a heart that trusts

My Heavenly Father, strong and just.

In ev’ry high and stormy gale

Convinced that Jesus will prevail,

And I am safe within Your hand,

The wind and waves at Your command.

Lord, give me faith to stand the trial,

To persevere with You awhile,

My confidence in Christ alone

Who stood steadfast ‘til all was won.

I want to follow in Your train,

To know the joy of heaven’s gain,

Then, in Your victory complete,

To cast my crown before Your feet.

From earth’s domain I lift my face:

I feel the warmth of heav’nly grace.

There is a Friend who cares for me

Beyond the trouble I can see.

Sing hallelujah! Speak His praise:

The glorious King, Ancient of Days;

And keep your eye fixed on the Lord –

Trust in His love, believe His Word.

Hymn of Welcome

This hymn was commissioned by the Baltimore Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church as part of a sermon series on hospitality in the church.

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

tune: Beach Spring, from The Sacred Harp, 1844.

1. In a world so stark and broken, all alone we suffered loss

But we found a place of welcome in the circle of the cross

We have found a risen Savior, and an ever-faithful Friend

We have found a place for healing, and the will to start again.

2. You are weary from your journey, come inside and rest awhile

We will listen to your story, walk with you this lonely mile

Hospitality was given when our souls were sick and sore

So we offer you our welcome, and the Savior offers more.

3. As the widow fed Elijah from her meager store of food

And her cupboard was replenished, day by day, with all things good

So we give, in faith and purpose, knowing all will be supplied

Every need met with abundance, every hunger satisfied.

4. Father Abraham once welcomed certain angels, unaware

That among those humble trav’lers was the Lord, all hidden there

So as we all share together, in the name of Christ the Son

God is present here among us, and His Spirit makes us one.

5. What a banquet now is offered, we’re invited all to come

What a welcome is extended from the Lamb upon the throne

To the homeless and the stranger, to the poor and lame and blind

Other doors may never open, but a welcome here we find.

6. We are loved and we are welcomed, what a joy is ours to share

And the Spirit’s power is moving now, among us everywhere

So we serve the Lord together, and we love each other too

‘Til the day of final welcome, when our Lord makes all things new.

You Are My Treasure, Sovereign Lord

words: Gary Hicks, copyright 2010 Gary L. Hicks

music: “Christmas”, George Frederick Handel, 1728
("While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night") 

arranged in Weyman’s “Melodia Sacra”, 1815

You are my Treasure, Sovereign Lord,

My Pearl of greatest price,

And may I treasure more and more

Your living sacrifice,

Your living sacrifice.

Before I ever came to be

By angels You were praised

And may I come, with conscience free

To worship every day,

To worship every day.

You are the Song I love to sing,

In You I find my worth;

You are the Music in my ear,

The sweetest Name on earth,

The sweetest Name on earth.

You are my Treasure, Sovereign Lord,

My Pearl of greatest price,

And may I treasure more and more

Your living sacrifice,

Your living sacrifice.

I Rise to Offer Heartfelt Praise

words: Gary Hicks (vv.1-4),

            Frederick Whitfield (v. 2, altered), Isaac Watts (v.3, altered)

            copyright 2010, Gary L. Hicks

tune: “Irish”, from “Collection of Hymns & Sacred Poems,” Dublin, 1749

I rise to offer heartfelt praise,

I stand to bless the Lamb,

I kneel, awestruck, and bow, amazed:

All glory to the great I AM.

There is a name I love to hear,

I love to sing its worth,

It sounds like music in my ear,

Most beautiful name on earth.

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing mercy, grace unknown,

Amazing love beyond degree!

I rise to offer heartfelt praise,

I stand to bless the Lamb,

I kneel, awestruck, and bow, amazed:

All glory to the great I AM.