I recently was introduced to this hymn by a friend, and immediately loved with it. The hymn is short, yet sweet, and its richness speaks to our weary souls. Go here to get a sampling of the tune of the hymn.
A Debtor to Mercy Alone by Augustus M. Toplady
A debtor to mercy alone, of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on, my person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God with me can have nothing to do;
My Savior’s obedience and blood hide all my transgressions from view.
The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from His love.
My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in Heav’n.
The hymn I've chosen for this week is "Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!". If you are unfamiliar with the tune, then click on the link below for a rough feel of what this lovely hymn sounds like. It it one of my favorites!
This week's Psalm is Psalm 119X. I don't recall hearing this Psalm before I sang it at BWSC '09, but I really enjoyed it. Then again, I enjoy just about any Psalm or Hymn that is sung in parts! It is definitely one of my favorites now. I'm very thankful to have a recording of Psalm 119X (and Psalm 98A) so that I can sing it anytime I like. The first line of the second half of each verse is sung first by the bass, then the tenors jump in, then the altos, and finally the sopranos. I'm sure it sounds quite confusing, but it is actually quiet easy to sing when you know which part you sing. I only wish I could share the music with you, but alas, all I have is the words. Enjoy this week's Psalm!
Psalm 119X
Before Thee let my cry come near, O Lord; true to Thy word, teach me. Before Thee let my pleading come; True to Thy promise rescue me.
Since Thou Thy statutes teachest me, O let my lips Thy praise confess. Yea, of Thy word my tongue would sing, For Thy commands are righteousness.
Be ready with Thy hand to help, Because Thy precepts are my choice. I’ve longed for Thy salvation, LORD, And in Thy holy law rejoice.
O let Thine ordinances help; My soul shall live and praise Thee yet. A straying sheep, Thy servant, seek, For Thy commands I ne’er forget.
This Saturday I am highlighted Psalm 98A, O Sing A New Song to the Lord. I was first introduced to this psalm about two years ago, at an annual spring conference my family was attending for the first time. As far as I can remember, this was one of my first experiences of congregational singing in parts. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to everyone sing, though I admit I was quite confounded as to how you knew which part to sing at which point! Since then I have really fallen in love with this type of singing and this piece has become my favorite sacred piece of music.
To give you a taste of the beauty of this psalm, take a peek at this video. It is only the first verse, but it gives you a glimpse of beauty of this psalm:
The words to all seven verses (shamelessly stolen from Sarah's blog!) :
O sing a new song to the Lord For wonders He has done, For wonders He has done; His right hand and His holy arm The victory have won, The victory have won, The victory have won.
The great salvation wrought by Him Jehovah has made known. Jehovah has made known. His justice in the nations' sight He openly has shown, He openly has shown, He openly has shown.
He mindful of His truth and grace To Isr'el's house has been. To Isr'el's house has been. The great salvation of our God All ends of earth have seen, All ends of earth have seen, All ends of earth have seen.
O all the earth, sing to the Lord And make a joyful sound. And make a joyful sound. Lift up your voice aloud to Him; Sing psalms! Let joy resound! Sing psalms! Let joy resound! Sing psalms! Let joy resound!
With harp make music to the Lord With harp a psalm O sing! With hard a psalm O sing! With horn and trumpet raise a shout Before the LORD, the King, Before the LORD, the King, Before the LORD, the King.
Let seas in all their vastness roar, The world, it's living hoard. The world it's living hoard. Let rivers clap, let mountains sing Their joy before the Lord! Their joy before the Lord! Their joy before the Lord!
Because He comes, He surely comes, The judge of earth to be! The judge of earth to be! With justice He will judge the world, All men with equity, All men with equity, All men with equity.
When you get together a room full of saints raising their voices to God with this Psalm, it really is like a small taste of heaven on earth!
