Tag: 366 Inspirational Hymns

  • WHEN ALL THY MERCIES, O MY GOD

    Joseph Addison, 1672–1719 Oh, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever. (1 Chronicles 16:11 KJV) A reflection upon God’s blessings will always result in a response of worship and praise; a neglect of gratitude will eventually produce a lifestyle of self-centeredness. Joseph Addison, the author of this hymn,…

  • FADE, FADE EACH EARTHLY JOY

    Jane C. Bonar, 1821–1884 Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud He pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:23, 24) Each of us was created for the purpose of enjoying the fellowship of Almighty God. Our souls…

  • JESUS, I AM RESTING, RESTING

    Jean Sophia Pigott, 1845–1882 In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isaiah 30:15) John Wesley, the flaming evangelist of the 18th century, once stated that Christians must “learn to live with a slack rein.” If that were true then, it is even more necessary in the hectic pace…

  • SUN OF MY SOUL

    John Keble, 1792–1866 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You. (Psalm 84:11, 12) Jesus taught that we can learn much from the lilies of…

  • MAJESTIC SWEETNESS SITS ENTHRONED

    Samuel Stennett, 1727–1795 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9) The dominant theme of the beautifully expressed text in this hymn, “Majestic Sweetness Sits…

  • MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

    Ray Palmer, 1808–1887 In whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in Him. (Ephesians 3:12 RSV) “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” was written in 1832 by Ray Palmer, a 22-year-old school teacher. Several months after his graduation from Yale University and while still living with the family of the lady…

  • JESUS, THE VERY THOUGHT OF THEE

    Attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091–1153English Translation—Edward Caswall, 1814–1876 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (Psalm 42:1, 2) This hymn text comes from the height of the Middle Ages, a period of history often scornfully called…

  • ASK YE WHAT GREAT THINGS I KNOW

    Johann C. Schwedler, 1672–1730 Translated by Benjamin H. Kennedy, 1804–1889 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) A question that many struggle with today is “What is the real purpose of living?” Or, “What is the ultimate reality or joy in life?”…

  • NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD

    Words and Music by Cleland B. McAfee, 1866–1944 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy. (Psalm 94:19) O Thou who dry’st the mourner’s tears! How dark this world would be,If, when deceived and wounded here, we could not fly to Thee.— Thomas Moore Life is often filled with unexpected problems or crises.…

  • HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOR!

    Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering … He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. (Isaiah 53:3) A life of praise is not something that can be worked up. Rather, it is a remembrance and a response to…