Lyrics: Henry Baker, 1868. Mr. Baker was the editor of the standard Anglican hymnal in Victorian England, called Hymns Ancient and Modern, first published in 1860. Although he was primarily a collector of hymns, Baker also wrote his own lyrics, translated lyrics, and composed tunes. The various editions of Hymns Ancient and Modern sold more than 60 million copies.

Music: ST COLUMBA, Ancient Irish Melody.
Or DOMINUS REGIT ME by John Bacchus Dykes.

Theme: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:4

Barbara at Stray Thoughts: “I think the third stanza is my favorite, though all of it is good.”

The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine for ever.

Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love He sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.

While researching this hymn, I found this website which looks like a nice resource. It has a downloadable version of the Dykes tune for this hymn in addition to other hymns available for free download or for purchase on CD.

I’m not familiar with this particular hymn, based on Pslam 23, but here is the Westminster Abbey Choir singing at Princess Diana’s funeral, The King of Love My Shepherd Is to the tune Dominus Regit Me. Descant on the last verse:

Lyrics: Author unknown. Translated to English by John Mason Neale, 1851.

Music: Unknown composer. Arranged and harmonized by Thomas Helmore, 1854.

Theme: And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith THE LORD. Isaiah 59:20.

Brandon at Siris: “no single human hand sat down and wrote it, and it has been sung by countless people across the centuries and the continents, its format adapted and re-adapted many times, and yet the message is still crystal clear and the hymn itself still exquisite.”

Amanda: “I have a thing for Advent. Waiting for Jesus.”

According to a book we own called Color the Christmas Classics, this Christmas carol dates back to the time of Emperor Charlemagne of France. It was originally sung in Latin and was an antiphon, “a short liturgical text sung in response to a psalm or other spoken text.” The carol was sung over a period of seven days, from December 17th to the 23rd, in response to a scripture about the brith of Christ read by the priest. You can go to this website to see all seven antiphons (or verses) in Latin and in various English translations.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.

Lyrics: Joseph Mendicott Scriven, 1855.

Music: ERIE by Charles Converse, 1868.
Alternate tune: CALON LAN

Theme: A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised, Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing, all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded, there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship, will be our sweet portion there.

Joseph Scriven’s first fiance drowned the night before their wedding was to take place. He moved to Canada (from England) where he met and became engaged to another young woman, Eliza Roche. Eliza contracted pneumonia and died shortly before the wedding. Joseph joined the Plymouth Brethren and spent the rest of his life serving the aged and the poor. Unfortunately, Mr. Scriven also died tragically, by drowning, either a suicide or an accident.

This monologue by Christian comedienne Chondra Pierce is an excellent commentary on this hymn and on the faithfulness of our Lord:

It seems odd and mildly humorous to me, but this hymn is said to be a very popular wedding song played at Japanese weddings. A Japanese poet’s (secular) words have been set to Mr. Converse’s tune, but usually if the words are sung, they’re a Japanese translation of Mr. Scriven’s lyrics. I’m trying to imagine “Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer” in Japanese and at a wedding. Incongruity anyone?

The tune has also been used, particularly during World War I for other, more bawdy, lyrics, but you don’t want to go there, do you? Me neither. I’m still stuck on the Japanese wedding song thing. If you’re wanting to get that picture out of your imagination, go back and listen to Chondra Pierce again. It’s worth another listen.

Sources:
What a Friend We Have in Jesus by Lindsay Terry in Christianity Today.
Seiyaku: What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

Lyrics: Walter Chalmers Smith, 1876. Read more about Walter Chalmers Smith.

Music: ST DENIO from a Welsh melody arranged by John Roberts, 1839.

Theme: “NOW UNTO THE KING ETERNAL, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, THE ONLY GOD, BE HONOR AND GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.” —1 TIMOTHY 1:17

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above,
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but nought changeth Thee.

Great Father of Glory, pure Father of Light
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render, O help us to see:
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee.

To do a study of this hymn in your homeschool, check out Hymn Studies: Immortal Invisible.

Lyrics: Samuel John Stone, 1866.

Music: AURELIA by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1844.

Theme: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:11

Center for Church Music: “The Reverend Samuel John Stone . . . was concerned about people saying the Apostles Creed in a perfunctory manner, saying the words without a clear understanding of what they were saying. He wrote a series of twelve hymns, each explaining a section of the creed and defending the fact of the inspiration of Scripture. ‘The Church’s One Foundation’ explains the ninth article – ‘I believe in the Holy Catholic (Universal) church, the communion of the saints.’ This series of hymns was printed in Lyra Fidelium (Lyre of the Faithful) in 1866.”

The church’s one Foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation
By water and the Word:
From heav’n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.

Elect from ev’ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food.
And to one hope she presses,
With ev’ry grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder
Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder,
By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping,
Their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping
Shall be the morn of song.

The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain and cherish
Is with her to the end;
Though there be those that hate her,
And false sons in her pale,
Against or foe or traitor
She ever shall prevail.

‘Mid toil and tribulation,
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace for evermore;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great church victorious
Shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
With the God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won:
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we,
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee.

Additional verses that were part of the original hymn text, but have been altered or omitted:

Yet she on earth hath union
With God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion
With those whose rest is won,
With all her sons and daughters
Who, by the Master’s hand
Led through the deathly waters,
Repose in Eden land.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with Thee:
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales the Bride
With Thee by living fountains
Forever shall abide!

Not a praise and worship hymn. Not a reworked psalm hymn. Not a gospel hymn. A teaching hymn. I like that. I may use this one as one of the hymns we learn in school this year.

The pictured book covers are some of my favorite books about The Church. However, as I chose books to be pictured, I realized that I haven’t read that many books that are specifically about the Church. Can you suggest any other must-read books about the Church (Baptist/evangelical/mere Christian perspective)?

Lyrics: Isaac Watts, 1719.

Music: According to Wikipedia, “The music was adapted and arranged by Lowell Mason from an older melody which was then believed to have originated from Handel [1], not least because the theme of the refrain (And heaven and nature sing…) appears in the orchestra opening and accompaniment of the recitative Comfort Ye from Handel’s Messiah, and the first four notes match the beginning of the choruses Lift up your heads and Glory to God from the same oratorio. However, Handel did not compose the entire tune.”

I didn’t know that.

Theme: No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5.

I don’t know what either Handel or Lowell Mason would have thought, but I like Mannheim Steamroller:

My urchins prefer the Jonas Brothers.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth! the Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

C.S. Lewis: “I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy.”

Pope Benedict XVI: “But let us also think of those, especially young people, who have lost the sense of authentic joy, and who seek it in vain where it is impossible to find: in the exasperated race for self-affirmation and success, in false amusements, in consumerism, in moments of drunkenness, in the artificial paradise of drugs and of other forms of alienation.”

Louise Bogan: I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!

Emily Dickinson: ‘Tis so much joy! ‘Tis so much joy! If I should fail, what poverty! And yet, as poor as I Have ventured all upon a throw; Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so this side the victory!”

Samuel Shoemaker: “The surest mark of a Christian is not faith, or even love, but joy.”