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WE PLOW THE FIELDS AND SCATTER
Matthias Claudius, 1740–1815Translated by Jane M. Campbell, 1817–1878 Yet He has not left Himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. (Acts 14:17) The Scriptures have many important lessons to teach us…
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FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835–1917 Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) One of the delights that we as adults have in being around children is to hear their squeals of pleasure as they observe and discover some ordinary object about…
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COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Robert Robinson, 1735–1790 O Lord, You are my God: I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. (Isaiah 25:1) It would be enlightening if the people in the pew could stand on the platform and observe the congregational singing during an average…
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DOXOLOGY
Thomas Ken, 1637–1711 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify Your name forever. (Psalm 86:12) The lines of the “Doxology” have been the most frequently sung words of any known song for more than 300 years. Even today nearly every English-speaking Protestant congregation unites at least once…
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REJOICE YE PURE IN HEART
Edward H. Plumptre, 1821–1891 Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. (Psalm 33:1) The hallmark of the Christian life is a joyous spirit. The Bible teaches that “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). And singing has…
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BLESSED ASSURANCE
Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:22,…
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I WILL PRAISE HIM!
Margaret J. Harris, 19th century To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:5b–6) An attitude of happiness in life is…
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SING PRAISE TO GOD WHO REIGNS ABOVE
Johann J. Schutz, 1640–1690Translated by Frances E. Cox, 1812–1897 The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. (Psalm 97:1) Following the Protestant Reformation, which was climaxed by Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 theses at the Cathedral of Wittenberg in 1517, Lutheranism became the dominant religious force in Germany and…
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PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!
Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915 I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2) Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence. This realization can turn any gloom into a song. —…
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PRAISE THE SAVIOR
Thomas Kelly, 1769–1854 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:11, 12) God’s people…