O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

The words of this hymn were inspired by a chance remark of an influential Moravian leader named Peter Bohler, who expressed his spiritual joy in this way: “Oh, Brother Wesley, the Lord has done so much for my life. Had I one thousand tongues I would praise Christ Jesus with every one of them!”

Charles Wesley used that expression in an eighteen-stanza hymn he wrote describing his praise to the Lord on his one-year anniversary of conversion. It was titled, “For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conversion.” That verse was combined with three other verses in the hymn to become the hymn we sing today titled, “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

Wesley was born just before Christmas in 1707. He was premature and neither cried nor opened his eyes. His mother, Susanna, kept him tightly wrapped in wool until his actual due date, whereupon he opened his eyes and cried. Charles was the eighteenth child of Susanna Wesley and Samuel Wesley.

Wesley had religious training at home. He learned the Bible well but did not yet experienced affirmation of new birth or the wholeness of grace in his life. At age eight, he was taken to London to attend Westminster School.

At thirteen, he became a King’s Scholar at Westminster University in London. Upon graduating, Charles enrolled at Oxford University. He was nineteen and full of life. He later said, “My first year of college was lost in diversions.”

During his second year at Oxford, he grew serious about spiritual things. Neither he nor his brother, John, had yet received Christ as Savior, but they began seeking to live the Christian life

While in college at Oxford, Charles and two friends started a small religious group on religious self discipline. They had lengthy devotions, exhorting each other to live piously and do good works. They took food to poor families, visited lonely people in prison and taught orphans how to read. After college Charles went as a missionary to Native Americans, but he was still not converted. With spiritual despair and physical exhaustion he returned to England. He had no peace in his heart.

One day in 1738, he met with a group of Moravians in Aldersgate Hall in London. There he came to realize that salvation was by faith alone. While convalescing in the home of John Bray, a poor mechanic, he heard a voice saying, “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, arise, and believe, and thou shalt be healed of all thy infirmities.” The voice was most likely Mr. Bray’s sister who felt commanded to say these words in a dream.

Anglican hymn writer Timothy Dudley-Smith notes that the following then happened: Charles got out of bed and opening his Bible read from the Psalms 40:3: “He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God,” followed by the first verse of Isaiah 40, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” Charles wrote in his journal, “I have found myself at peace with God, and rejoiced in the hope of love in Christ”

 Charles wrote in his diary: “I labored, waited and prayed to feel who loved me, and gave himself for me. At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me above what I can ask or think . . . I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoice in hope of loving Christ.”

Charles felt renewed strength to spread the gospel to ordinary people and it was around then that he began to write the poetic hymns for which he would become known.

Charles Wesley is called the father of Methodist congregational singing. His brother, John, called the father of Methodism.

Verse One

“O for a thousand tongues to sing,

My great Redeemer's praise;

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!”

1 Peter 1:11

“Trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: The manifold glory which was to follow upon His many sufferings, the glory of His resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of God, sending the Spirit. Christ’s suffering and glory are often joined together to show that there is the same way (and no other) for the salvation of the members, as for the glory of the Head by sufferings.

Godsbless.ing: Imagine the depth of love and sacrifice encapsulated in these words – the suffering that Christ willingly endured for the redemption of humanity and the glory that awaited Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate victory that springs forth from pain and sacrifice, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures and offers us hope and assurance in our own trials and tribulations. It is a testament to the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive plan for humanity, where suffering ultimately gives way to eternal glory. Let us reflect on this verse, pondering the profound mystery of Christ’s suffering and glory, drawing strength and encouragement from His example. May we find solace in the promise of ultimate victory and redemption, knowing that even in our darkest moments, there is a glorious hope that awaits us.

 Psalm 5:11

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

Godsbless.ing: This verse encourages us to celebrate God’s presence in our lives. Singing praises is not just about our voices; it reflects our hearts’ attitude towards God. The joy mentioned here is not fleeting; it is a lasting, deep-rooted joy that comes from knowing we are protected and loved. By spreading His protection over us, God reassures us that we are never alone, enhancing our joy through His presence in our lives . . . The instruction to “rejoice” and “sing joyful praises” is not merely a suggestion. It is a call to action, inviting us into a place of gratitude and celebration. When we take time to reflect on God’s goodness, our hearts naturally respond with joy. This joyous response isn’t dependent on our circumstances. Instead, it stems from our relationship with Him. Just as a child finds joy and security in the embrace of a loving parent, we, too, can experience that profound joy in the arms of God.

Verse Two

“My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim;

To spread thro' all the earth abroad,

The honors of your name.”

1 Timothy 1:17

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Christ is crowned with honor and glory, and He is worthy of it; and it becomes all men to honor the Son, as they do the Father: He is the brightness of His glory, and equal to Him; and the glory of deity, of all the divine perfections, and works, and also worship, should be given Him; as well as the glory of salvation, and of all the grace the sons of men partake of; and that not only now, but to all eternity,

Scripturesavvy.com: The conclusion of Paul’s testimony is a beautiful affirmation of God’s eternal Kingship, His immortality, and His invisibility. It is a declaration of praise and honor to the only God, highlighting His eternal nature and ultimate authority. It reminds us that no matter what challenges we may face in this life, our hope and focus should always be on God and giving Him the glory He deserves.

Verse Three

“Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease;

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life and health and peace.”

Luke 1:74

“To rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Fear of death, of spiritual enemies, or of external foes. In the sure hope of God’s “eternal” favor beyond the grave.

Godsbless.ing: “To enable us to serve him without fear,” emphasizes the freedom and confidence believers have in serving God, unshackled by the fear of condemnation or oppression . . . In a world fraught with uncertainties and challenges, this verse offers assurance to believers that God is their ultimate deliverer and protector. It instills the courage to serve God boldly and without fear, knowing that they are under His loving care and guidance. 

Verse Four

“He breaks the power of cancelled sin,

He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean;

His blood availed for me.”

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Who are captives to sin, Satan, and the law; from which, there is only deliverance by Him; who saves His people from their sins, redeems them from the law, and leads captivity captive; and which liberty and deliverance are preached and published in the Gospel, and by Christ the author of them . . . and recovering of sight to the blind; which in the prophet is, "and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” . . .  now because persons in prison are in darkness, and see no light, therefore they are represented as blind; and both are the case of sinners, they are in the prison of sin and of the law, and are blind, ignorant, and insensible of their state; until Christ both opens the prison, and sets them free, and opens their eyes, and gives them spiritual sight; when He says to the prisoners go forth, to them that are in darkness show yourselves.

Charles Wesley, like the Psalmist David, seemed never to tire of praising his great Redeemer. And when we think on how Christ has brought us from death to life, we also ought to be driven to sing with all we have the glories of our God and King, and the triumphs of His grace. Thankfully, what we lack in multiplicity of tongues, we’ll be able to make up in repetitions throughout eternity!

Despite our desire to proclaim the honors of God’s name, we rely on the assistance of the Holy Spirit, sent to help us in our weakness to glorify God and to empower and enable our worship. The Spirit of Christ itself is “music in the sinner’s ears”; He is our life, our health, and our peace.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Amazing Grace, Second Edition, Kenneth W. Osbeck

Then Sings My Soul, Robert J. Morgan

Hymnology.org

Fbchurch.org, John Gardner

By His Grace . . . 

Amazing Grace

You may have started humming the hymn as soon as you read the title. “Amazing Grace” is one of the most sung hymns we have. The story is well known among many of us. One man’s testimony of what God did for him. Newton’s story is a powerful tale of redemption and God’s grace.

John Newton was born in London in 1725, the son of John Newton the elder, a shipmaster in the Mediterranean service, and Elizabeth. She died of tuberculosis (then called consumption) in July 1732, about two weeks before her son's seventh birthday. Newton spent two years at a boarding school before going to live at Aveley in Essex, the home of his father's new wife.

At age eleven he first went to sea with his father. Newton sailed six voyages before his father retired in 1742. At that time, Newton's father made plans for him to work at a sugarcane plantation in Jamaica. Instead, Newton signed on with a merchant ship sailing to the Mediterranean Sea.

Newton spent years fighting against authority, going so far as trying to desert the Royal Navy in his twenties. Later, abandoned by his crew in West Africa, he was forced to be a servant to a slave trader but was eventually rescued. On the return voyage to England, a violent storm hit and almost sank the ship, prompting Newton to begin his spiritual conversion as he cried out to God to save them from the storm.

Upon his return, however, Newton became a slave ship master, a profession in which he served for several years. Bringing slaves from Africa to England over multiple trips, he admitted to sometimes treating the slaves abhorrently.

But in 1748, on board The Greyhound, a fierce storm arose off Ireland. Newton, fearing for his life, cried out to a God he barely knew. He promised that, if his life was spared, he would devote the remainder of it to God’s service.

That day at the helm was a day Newton remembered ever after: "On that day the Lord sent from on high and delivered me out of deep waters."

He found a New Testament and began to read. Luke 11:13 seemed to assure him that God might still hear him: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him."

In Newton’s gratitude, he never forgot his promise to God and committed his life to serving him. Due to his previous life experience and lack of education, it took more than seven years for him to be accepted into ministry in the Church of England.

His first post was as curate at St Peter and St Paul church, Olney - at that time a poor Buckinghamshire village consisting mainly of farm laborers and lace-makers.

As Newton preached and ministered to his flock, he developed the habit of writing hymns - many with his good friend and local poet William Cowper - to accompany his weekly sermons and help his listeners understand the message. And so it was that, ahead of his New Year’s Day service in 1773, Newton wrote “Amazing Grace” to accompany his teaching on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17.

Little did he and his congregation know that his hymn would go on to become internationally renowned.

The words speak powerfully of Newton’s own personal experience of grace – how God had seen him through toils and dangers; how he had been spiritually lost but yet God had, both physically and spiritually, rescued him and led him home.

The hymn speaks of God’s love and forgiveness, and reminds us that he protects his people

Later, having fully realized the horrors and atrocities that he had been involved in, Newton became heavily involved in campaigning for the abolition of the slave trade.

Moving from Olney to St Mary’s Woolnoth, in the City of London, he began to work with the nephew of a friend, William Wilberforce MP, who led the parliamentary campaign which would eventually see the slave trade made illegal in 1806. He died a year later, aged 82.

Newton wrote in his diary of March 21, 1805: "Not well able to write; but I endeavor to observe the return of this day with humiliation, prayer, and praise." Only God's amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God. Newton never ceased to stand in awe of God's work in his life.

Newton is shown in the movie “Amazing Grace” while washing the floor where he served. He was losing his eyesight. He was persuaded to write his account of his years in the slave trade with the help of a parishioner.

Verse One

“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.”

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Godsbless.ing: This verse from the gospel of Luke captures the heart and mission of Jesus Christ as he walked the earth. Jesus’s mission to seek and save the lost speaks to the very essence of who He is and what He stands for. Imagine walking through a dense forest, searching tirelessly for a lost sheep – this is the relentless pursuit Jesus has for every single person who feels lost or disconnected. It reflects His compassion, love, and unwavering dedication to bringing back those who have strayed away.

Scripturesavvy.com: “The lost” signifies those who are spiritually disconnected from God. These individuals could represent anyone in our lives who hasn’t yet embraced the grace offered by Jesus. This illustrates the universal need for salvation irrespective of cultural, social, or economic status. We all possess the potential for spiritual darkness without Christ, and the promise of salvation is available to everyone who seeks it.

Verse Two

“'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

The hour I first believed.”

Ephesians 1:13

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

Biblehub.com, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: First, the light of the gospel shines before men; next, by faith they open their eyes to see it; then they are sealed by a special gift of the Holy Spirit.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask Him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that He has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of His glory.

Verse Three

“When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise,

Than when we've first begun.”

2 Peter 3:8

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: All time is as nothing before him, because in the presence as in the nature of God all is eternity; therefore, nothing is long, nothing short, before Him; no lapse of ages impairs His purposes, nor need He wait to find convenience to execute those purposes. And when the longest period of time has passed by, it is but as a moment or indivisible point in comparison of eternity. 

1 John 2:17

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

TheBiblesays.com: This encapsulates the message that those whose lives reflect obedience to God will not only endure beyond this world's temporary offerings but will also enjoy an intimate relationship with Him now—a relationship that cultivates joy and signifies true identity in eternity.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Then they shall be ever with Him; wherever He is; first in the air, where they shall meet Him; then in the third heaven, where they shall go up with Him; then on earth, where they shall descend and reign with Him a thousand years; and then in the ultimate glory to all eternity: and this will be the issue and accomplishment of the counsel and covenant of grace, of the sufferings and death of Christ, and of His preparations and prayers.

Psalm 23:6

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Godsbless.ing: “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” This part signifies an eternal relationship with God, not confined to a physical location but indicative of an everlasting communion. 

Scripturesavvy.com: Following God’s love means we can find peace, knowing His goodness is around us every day. The verse concludes with a deep desire to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, which signifies our longing for a close, eternal relationship with God. This longing goes beyond earthly satisfaction, representing our hope in eternal life and the fulfillment found in God’s presence.

Bibleref.com: David anticipated that at the end of his life he would enter heaven—the house of the LORD—and live there forever . . . Having the Lord as our shepherd makes life worthwhile and blessed, and when our journey on earth ends we will enter heaven to live with our Shepherd forever.

Refrain

“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.”

Those who have read Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic African American novel, “Uncle Tom's Cabin,” may remember that Tom sings three verses of "Amazing Grace," including one verse not written by Newton, which is now traditionally sung as the third verse:

“When we've been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise, Than when we first begun.”

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Premierchristianity.com

Godtube.com

Ocp.org

Hymncharts.com

En.wikipedia.org

By His Grace . . .

How Great Thou Art

 

Carl Gustav Boberg, writer of this great hymn, gave the following testimony: "It was in 1885, and in the time of year when everything seemed to be in its richest coloring; the birds were singing in trees and wherever they could find a perch. On a particular afternoon, some friends and I had been to Kronobäck where we had participated in an afternoon service. As we were returning a thunderstorm began to appear on the horizon. We hurried to shelter. There were loud claps of thunder, and the lightning flashed across the sky. Strong winds swept over the meadows and billowing fields of grain. However, the storm was soon over and the clear sky appeared with a beautiful rainbow. After reaching my home, I opened my window toward the sea. The church bells were playing the tune of a hymn. That same evening, I wrote a poem which I titled, 'O Store Gud.'"

After being published in a local newspaper, an unknown Swede put “O Store Gud” to the tune of a Swedish folk song, whose name has also been lost to history. In the late 1800s several versions were published, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that “O Store Gud,” which translates literally to “O Mighty God,” hopped the Swedish border.

In the first decade of the 20th century the song was translated into German. A handful of years later a Russian version appeared. The first English language version wouldn’t be penned until 1925. But this English iteration, translated by the Swedish-American, E. Gustav Johnson, is a far cry from the song we know today. It took another quarter century, a British missionary, and a new translation before the song developed into its now recognizable form.

In the early 1930s, Stuart K. Hine, an English missionary, first heard the Russian version of “O Store Gud” while in the Ukraine. For years he and his wife sang the song with locals before he finally sat down and translated it into English. Translation is of course more art than science, and Hine took some liberties, most particularly with the title, which in 1949 he rechristened “How Great Thou Art.”

Hine published his English translation alongside the Russian version in Grace and Peace, a magazine that he published and was circulated to missionaries in over 15 countries. The story of “How Great Thou Art” might have ended here, in relative obscurity, were it not for a British-American theologian traveling to India, a singing cowboy, and a popular American evangelist on a self-described crusade.

When J. Edwin Orr, a British-American theologian and evangelist, travelled to India in 1954, music was the farthest thing from his mind. He was there to preach. But while there he heard an English version of “How Great Thou Art” sung by a Naga choir from the state of Assam in north-eastern India. He was so impressed by the song he brought it back to America and had it performed at a conference for college students where he was speaking.

In attendance at that fateful conference were the children of Tim Spencer, a singing cowboy and actor, who had found fame singing in the Sons of the Pioneers alongside Bob Nolan and Roy Rogers. At that time, Spencer owned Mana Music, Inc, a publisher of Christian music. He quickly arranged to buy the rights to the song and then did what all good publishers do—he started pushing the song.

As late as 1954, “How Great Thou Art” remained all but unknown in the U.S., but with Mana Music’s backing the song eventually landed in the hands of George Beverly Shea, famed soloist in Billy Graham’s travelling crusade. Graham reportedly loved the song and quickly made it his evangelical crusade’s signature song. Given Graham’s reach, Shea all but introduced the song to the nation. He sang it live on radio, before stadiums filled with thousands of people—and during nationally televised events like the 1957 Madison Square Garden Crusade, which ran for 16 weeks and was viewed by an estimated 96 million people.

People began to hear it who had never heard it before and began to request the song. It soon spread across the country and world and became a favorite hymn of the church. 

Carl Gustav Boberg, 1859-1940, was a Swedish poet, preacher, government official and member of parliament. He was born in Monsteras, Smaland, Sweden. Boberg was the son of carpenter, Nils Petter Jonsson Boberg and Hedvig Gustava Jonsdotter. The religious revival movements of the time strongly affected him as a young man. He worked briefly as a sailor and served as a lay minister in the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden.

E. Gustav Johnson, 1893-1974, emigrated to America with his family when he was 10 years old, settling in Hartford, Connecticut. He learned the craft of a printer, but at age 30 took up studies at North Park, Chicago, Illnois, where he earned degrees at the academy college, and seminary. He went on to graduate from the University of Chicago and Duke University. He made the first literal English translation of “O Store Gud.”

Plymouth Brethen missionary, Stuart Wesley Keene Hine, 1899-1989, was dedicated to Jesus Christ in The Salvation Army by his parents. Hine was influenced greatly by the teachings of British Baptist evangelist Charles Spurgeon. Hine and his wife, Mercy, learned the Russian translation, and started using it in their evangelistic services. Hine also started re-writing some of the verses and writing new verses as events inspired him.

James Edwin Orr, 1912-1987, born in Ireland (present-day Northern Ireland), of American-British parentage. He was one of the five children of William Stewart Orr and Rose Orr (nee Wright). He studied at the College of Technology, Belfast. Orr was influential in Campus Crusade for Christ from its founding in 1951. Orr became a professor at the School of World Missions, in Fuller Theological Seminary, California. He remained a professor there until 1981, and was a professor emeritus thereafter. Of him Billy Graham wrote, "Dr. J. Edwin Orr, in my opinion, is one of the greatest authorities on the history of religious revivals in the Protestant world."

Verse One

“O Lord my God, when I, in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.

I see the stars, I hear the following thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”

Exodus 15:11

"Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like You--majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"

Scripturesavvy.com: The term “majestic in holiness” highlights His splendor and moral purity. When we think of something majestic, we envision grandeur, awe, and beauty. This phrase captures the essence of God being out of reach of human sin and frailty. It invites admiration and reverence, asking us to fully acknowledge His character rather than simply remembering Him as a distant deity. Holiness, in this context, inspires us to aspire to be holy ourselves, calling us to live a life of integrity and purpose . . . “Awesome in glory” speaks to the visible manifestation of God’s power and greatness. Glory often relates to God’s reputation and renown—who He is in the eyes of the world and how He desires for us to see Him. This component of the verse beckons us to cultivate a vision of God that inspires us to follow Him wholeheartedly, and it helps to forge deeper connections with our Creator.

Verse Two

"And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.

that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bed and died to take away my sin."

Romans 11:27

"And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins."

ExplainingtheBible.com: This signifies not merely forgiveness but suggests a complete and total removal of wrongdoing. Through confession and faith, we receive this gracious gift of forgiveness where the burden of sin is lifted. It invites us to release our past mistakes and embrace a new beginning. God offers us a fresh start, renewing our hearts and mind.

Verse Three

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Than I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art."

2 Corinthians 5:8

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

Godsbless.ing: This verse speaks to the Christian belief of life after death and the hope of being reunited with God in heaven. The apostle Paul expresses his confidence in the promise of eternal life and his desire to be with the Lord. This verse highlights the Christian belief that our true home is not in this earthly body but in the presence of God . . . As Paul continues to share about the eternal home that awaits believers in Christ, a sense of peace and joy fills the hearts of those present. The words resonate deeply with them, reminding them of the temporary nature of this world and the promise of a glorious future in the presence of the Lord. The scene captures a profound sense of unity and faith as the group finds comfort and encouragement in the truth of God’s Word.

 Refrain

"Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,

How great Thou art, how great Thou art."

This hymn embodies the breadth of the redemption story from Genesis to Revelation. Given the sweeping and shifting theological territory covered in this hymn, the refrain ties all the themes together with the reiteration of the hymn’s central premise four times, “How great Thou art!”

How astonishing that this song, recorded over 1,800 times in the last 50 years, had its origins as a poem in a small town in Sweden, written by a sailor turned lay-minister, and somehow wound its way around the globe. Carl Boberg would never know the influence of his poem.

Psalm 145:2-3: “Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.”

Take time to think once again about the unfathomable greatness of God and His wonderful redeeming love for each of us and let your soul sing: How Great Thou Art!

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Americansongwriter.com

Staugustine.com

Faithpot.com

Backstorysongs.com

Crosswalk.com

Umcdiscipleship.org

En.wikipedia.org

Hymnary.org

By His Grace . . . 

I Am Resolved

 

This story is told in “A Song in my Heart” by Robert J. Morgan: “Let’s renew our acquaintance with the word resolved. Except for New Year’s resolutions, we seldom use this term in daily speech. But being resolute means being determined, bold, steady, faithful, and undeterred. That’s a good description of James Henry Fillmore. As a young man he left medical school to become a traveling evangelist, and along the way he wrote gospel songs. On one occasion he wrote a song for the Christian Endeavor Society. He was pleased with the music but later wanted strong words—words that spoke of our resolution to Christ. His friend, Palmer Hartsough wrote the words of “I Am Resolved,” fitting them perfectly into Fillmore’s music.”

Hartsough was born in 1844, in Redford, MI, the son of Wells and Thankful Palmer Hartsough.  His father was active in the Michigan Baptist Convention. In 1856, the family moved to Plymouth, MI, and Palmer attended both Kalamazoo College and Michigan State Normal. While in college, he became interested in music and began teaching singing schools in rural areas before becoming an itinerant music teacher throughout six surrounding states over the following ten years.

Eventually, he settled down in Rock Island, Illinois, where he opened a music studio and served as the music director for a local Baptist church. During his time there, his writing ability caught the attention of the Fillmore Brothers Publishing Company, which was based in Cincinnati and where he met James Henry Fillmore. After about six years in Illinois, he moved to work with the Fillmore brothers, providing the text for the music they wrote.

Some 10 years later, as a 62-year old, Hartsough became an ordained Baptist minister, later serving in Michigan in that role until he retired in 1927 at the age of 84. The hymn, “I Am Resolved,” tells us something about Palmer: He wasn’t a malingerer, someone who was satisfied with marking time. He examined himself and wasn’t afraid of a resolution that challenged his direction – even if it was one that he’d spent decades pursuing.

He never married but was very close to his two sisters and wrote them a weekly letter for many years. Upon his retirement in 1927, he returned to Plymouth, MI, where he remained until his death at the age of 88 in 1932. His full life of ministry and continual service are a testament to what he suggests in this very hymn—that he spent his days working for things to come.

The song expresses the determination of a sinner who is now resolved to follow Christ as his personal Savior. He or she is resolved to leave his sins behind and follow Christ and the Word of God. That should definitely be the goal for all Christians. It expresses the resolve that is necessary to obey the gospel and be saved.

Verse One

“I am resolved no longer to linger,

Charmed by the world’s delight,

Things that are higher, things that are nobler,

These have allured my sight.”

Psalm 61:2

“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Enduringword.com: “Higher than I, because of His divine origin; higher, because of His perfect obedience; higher, because of His supreme sufferings; higher, because of his ascension to the right hand of power.” (Meyer)

Psalm 108:4

“For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Scripturesavvy.com: When we consider “greater than the heavens,” we are encouraged to ponder just how vast and amazing the universe is—the stars, planets, and galaxies that are so far beyond our reach. In declaring that God’s love surpasses these wonders, we realize that the source of unconditional love in our lives has the power to uplift and carry us through anything we face.

Verse Two

“I am resolved to go to the Savior,

Leaving my sin and strife;

He is the true One, He is the just One,

He hath the Words of Life.”

John 6:68

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Godsbless.ing: These verses not only illuminate Peter’s unwavering faith but also offer timeless truths that resonate with believers across generations. They serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the exclusive role of Jesus as the path to eternal life. Just as Peter’s confession solidified his belief in Christ’s divine identity, modern believers are called to reaffirm their faith in Jesus as the sole source of salvation and spiritual fulfillment.

Verse Three

“I am resolved to follow the Savior,

Faithful and true each day;

Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,

He is the living Way.”

Hebrews 10:19-21

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God.”

Enduringword.com: A new and living way: "This means that the sacrifice of Jesus is always fresh in the mind of God. Though it happened centuries ago it is not “stale.” It means that a living Jesus ushers us into the presence of God . . . Newell on a new and living way: “It is eternally as if just now He had borne our sins in His own body on the Tree, as if just now He had said, ‘It is finished,’ and the soldier had pierced His side and there had come forth blood and water. He is evermore freshly-slain” . . . “This is evidently an allusion to the blood of the victim newly shed, uncoagulated, and consequently proper to be use for sprinkling. The blood of the Jewish victims was fit for sacrificial purposes only so long as it was warm and fluid.” (Clarke)

Verse Four

“I am resolved to enter the kingdom,

Leaving the paths of sin;

Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,

Still will I enter in.”

Psalm 55:18

“He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.”

Scripturesavvy.com: The latter part of the verse highlights the reality of opposition. Many may rise against us, be it through personal conflicts, emotional struggles, or broader societal issues. However, the assurance lies in knowing that God stands as a fortress for us. This understanding encourages us to trust in His strength rather than be deterred by the challenges we face. The essence of this verse is a deeply rooted acknowledgment of God’s intervention, which underscores His commitment to our well-being in times of trial.

Verse Five

“I am resolved, and who will go with me?

Come, friends, without delay;

Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,

We’ll walk the heav’nly way.”

Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Bibleref.com: Those who follow Godly wisdom can expect to learn the best way to live life . . . How does the Lord teach and guide believers? Jesus said He goes before His sheep and they follow Him. The apostle Peter indicates that Christ left us an example, so that we might follow in His steps. Jesus' life and complete submission to the Father, therefore, teaches and guides believers. Further, the Scriptures provide instruction so believers can be what God wants them to be and do what He wants them to do. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." And, of course, the indwelling Holy Spirit guides and transforms believers.

Refrain

“I will hasten to Him,

Hasten so glad and free;

Jesus, greatest, highest,

I will come to Thee.”

Words from Roseavenue.org: “I will hasten – this decision is not something to be put off.  The idea of hastening is that we are quick to respond.   There are things that can happen which make life very uncertain.  There is death, the Lord’s return, or even lost opportunities (the more you put off doing right, the more difficult it becomes the next time)

“Hasten glad and free – this is something we ought to gladly and freely do.  Even though we want you to obey the gospel more than anything, YOU have to make up your mind to do it on your own.  Anything else is less than sincere.

“Jesus, greatest, highest.  The conclusion of this chorus notes that our Lord is above us.  He is greater than we are and His ways are higher than ours. 

“I will come to Thee.  Salvation is about you making up your mind to do what He wants you to do.  We have seen it is not about being coerced into obedience.  It is about surrender and sacrifice.  You giving yourself to your Lord for the rest of your life.  And if you want heaven, that is what is expected.”

Be resolved to follow Christ and live for His Glory!

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com

Songscoops.blogspot.com

Afrankvoice.com

Christianmusicandhymns.com

Hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com

Roseavenue.org

By His Grace . . .