My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

There are two people who should be credited with providing the English speaking church with its best words for worship: King David and Isaac Watts (1674-1748). David (though not English, I realize) wrote many of the Spirit-inspired Psalms that have been in constant use by the people of God since they were composed over 3,000 years ago. Watts is so important in his contributions that he has long been considered the "Father of English Hymnody." Of his more than 600 hymns, many are still found in modern hymnals and sung by millions - now in translation - every Sunday. Consider the wealth he has bequeathed us in texts like "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," "Jesus Shall Reign," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," and our anthem this week: "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need."

One of Watts' greatest achievements was his work on The Psalms of David Imitated in the Language of the New Testament, published in 1719. This was a hugely popular work, so much so that it threatened to replace metrical Psalm singing in churches all over the English-speaking world. Watts attempted to rephrase David's words as a New Testament believer, explaining that "Where the Psalmist describes religion by the fear of God, I have often joined faith and love to it. Where he speaks of the pardon of sin through the mercies of God, I have added the merits of a Savior. Where he talks of sacrificing goats or bullocks, I rather choose to mention the sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God. Where he promises abundance of wealth, honor, and long life, I have changed some of these typical blessings for grace, glory, and life eternal, which are brought to light by the gospel, and promised in the New Testament." With one setting of Psalm 23 (he wrote three; one in each of of the most common hymn meters of his day), little reformulation was necessary:

My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy’s sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

Notice how conscientious Watts is in his rendering of the next section of the Psalm, which correspond to verses 4 and 5 in David's version. As David does, Watts changes the voice from second person to first person, adding a even deeper tone of intimacy. Here the psalm becomes prayer:

When I walk through the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay;
One word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.

The final stanza makes the clearest reference to the sermon text for this week - "Give us this day our daily bread" - while reminding us that God's provision extends past our temporal needs to our eternal destiny:

The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

Thy Will Be Done

Our anthem for Sunday, January 24, was composed by Joyce Eilers in the 1970s. When it was published by the Heritage Music Press, it contained a dedication: "For Janet Howland in memory of her son, Eric." The lyrics are a tender statement of faith, which surely comforted a mother grieving over the loss of her son:

Sometimes the load is heavy,
And sometimes the road is long.
And sometimes, Lord, this heart of mine
Is not so very strong.
But Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

Father, I do not ask You
To take this cup from me.
I only ask Your guidance
O'er paths I cannot see.
And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

Now, Lord, I feel You near me,
I feel Your guiding pow'r.
And know You're standing by me
Through ev'ry passing hour.
And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

These words could also be seen as a fitting epitath for Ms. Eilers herself: she passed away on June 2, 2009 after a lengthy illness.

According to her obituary, Eilers one of the top choral composers in the country, with hundreds of compositions and arrangements to her credit. In addition to her contributions to the libraries of many churches and school, she is also known for her mentoring of young composers. She taught at both elementary and secondary levels and was a popular clinician and lecturer in music education.

Emily Crocker, Vice President of Choral Publications at Hal Leonard Corporation, said, “Joyce was my teacher, my editor and my friend. She was incredibly generous with her time and encouragement of young composers. Her music had a wonderful way of touching the heart. Thousands, maybe millions of singers have been enriched by her contribution to the choral art and she leaves a lasting legacy of beauty.”

And Thy will be done, Lord,
Thy will be done.

Thy Kingdom Come

The song the choir is singing this Sunday (January 17) was composed several years ago by Greg and Linda Hytha as part of a collection of songs written as meditations on the Lord's Prayer. It was chosen for use with our choir for the same reason. Yet, not only is the song appropriate as an accompaniment to the sermon series, it is a timely reminder of God's sovereignty in the midst of human suffering. Recent events in Haiti have brought issues of faith to the fore again as together we ask, "Why, Lord?"

I contacted Greg and Linda, who lead worship at Grace Valley Fellowship in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and asked them to share the story behind the song. They were gracious enough to offer the following:

"Thy Kingdom Come" is set during the last week of the life of Christ when He is in the garden of Gethsemane asking the Father to let this cup pass if it be His will. The correlation to our lives (which I think is so powerful) is that God has chosen a path for each one of us to walk and it is a path that will, in the end, bring the most glory to God. When we submit to God in obedience and defer to Him and His plan for our life, which may include great suffering, we can take heart that He has chosen this path in order to bring about His great eternal purposes. "I accept Your will and I will until I die..."

I hope this message brings meaning and purpose to those in your congregation who are suffering seemingly without cause. May they find peace in this... "For I know that You have a plan and I am the only man who can do what You have for me to do..." Through accepting the will of God they enter into the suffering of Christ and also into His glory.

May the words of this song truly be our prayer, now and always:

Lord of all, Lord of my heart and soul,
You have called and I will follow.
I will seek your face, and by your grace
I will walk with you 'til my life is through.

Lord, I know that you have a plan.
Ev'ry day I will yield to your Spirit.
As your will is done, may your kingdom come.
Will you let it start now within my heart as I pray:

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Not mine, but thine, thy will divine
On earth as it is in heaven, Lord.

Amen!

Faith's Review and Expectation

That unassuming title is the original name of a very familiar hymn. John Newton (1725-1807), the author of the words to the hymn we know as "Amazing Grace," had written the text to coincide with his New Year's sermon in 1773. The new year was always a time Newton felt compelled to reflect on his life and the grace God had shown him, so it is no surprise that he would have that theme in mind. What is surprising was his habit of composing hymns for his sermons. In 18th century England, such things were not often done.

In fact, hymnsinging as a practice in Church of England parishes was not highly valued in Newton's day. Newton, the rector of a small village church in Olney, England, was committed to communicating the gospel to the often uneducated members of his congregation. He saw the use of hymns as a way to illustrate and amplify the messages of the scriptures he was preaching, and he tried to write lyrics that would accomplish that goal while being simple enough to be easily memorized. "Amazing Grace" fits Newton's objectives very well: in its original form it contains only 146 words, 125 of which are of one syllable.

Newton's text on New Year's Day, 1773, was I Chronicles 17:16-17, the story of God's promise to David that his descendants would be forever enthroned as kings of Israel, and that God's love would never be taken from David's house. As Newton's most recent biographer, Jonathan Aitken, notes, the parallels between David and the old slave-trader-turned-preacher would not be lost on Newton: "They had both been the worst of sinners; they had both endured tempestuous journeys of extraordinary drama; they had both been undeserved recipients of God's mercy, salvation, and grace."

Newton would later compile "Amazing Grace" and other hymns, many written by his friend and collaborator William Cowper, in a collection known as Olney Hymns. It would be a best-seller in England and America, but it was not till much later that "Amazing Grace" would become known across the world as a song of hope and trust. What began as "Faith's Review and Expectation" (No. 41 in Olney Hymns) has become known as "the spiritual national anthem of America" and touched millions of lives since its writing, something that surely would have surprised its humble author.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

A Hymn for the New Year

At this time of year, we often take stock of our lives and attempt to make a fresh start. It is a time of promise and promises, to ourselves and others, wherein we seek to erase past failures and dedicate ourselves to future success. It is, sadly, too often a celebration of human resolve rather than trust in God. Perhaps we rely too much on our own strength, which may explain why we have to go through the process again each January.

Francis Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) was not a robust person physically, but she possessed a vibrant faith in God that motivated and strengthened her for a life of service. Her health was so delicate that, despite her obvious intellectual abilities, Francis was not allowed to pursue rigorous studies. She did, however, compose numerous poems and hymns, edit several collections of her own works and those of her father, while actively engaging in philanthropic work. She lived a relatively brief life, but left an indelible impression on the church through such hymns as “Take My Life and Let it Be Consecrated,” “Lord, Speak to Me, that I May Speak,” “Like a River Glorious,” “Who is on the Lord’s Side?” and the hymn appropriate for this month, “Another Year is Dawning.” This text, which can be sung to the tune AURELIA (“The Church’s One Foundation”), goes well beyond the often casual and disposable resolutions we make each year, calling us instead to lives surrendered to Christ while we wait for the coming of his kingdom. As such, it is also a fitting testimony to Francis’s own commitment to her Savior.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.