Fairest Lord Jesus

 

This lovely hymn, extolling the beauty and virtues of Christ, leads us to the praise and worship of our “Beautiful Savior.” The vivid comparison of all the enjoyable sights of nature with Jesus, who is the very source and essence of all beauty, fill us with awe.  Then we are reminded that our Savior outshines all creations of God including the hosts of angels. How worthy He is of the deepest “glory and honor, praise, adoration, now and forevermore!”

Some historians believe the song may date back to the 12th Century when it was sung by the German crusaders as they made their long, dangerous and wearisome journey to the Holy Land. For this reason, it is referred to as the Crusader’s Hymn.

Another source claims that this was one of the hymns used by the followers of John Hus. These were Moravian believers who were driven out of Bohemia in the bloody anti-Reformation purge of 1620. They settled in Silesia, now a part of Poland.

The hymn first appeared in 1677 in a Jesuit hymnbook The text of the hymn was also found in a manuscript dating back to 1662. The origin of the words remains a mystery.

Who translated into English? A mystery. The first three stanzas are the work of an anonymous translator.

Whatever the actual origin of the hymn, Christians for centuries have been blessed with this worshipful and joyful text, which focuses our view on the fair Son of God who reveals to us the glory of the Father. 

Whoever wrote the words to this hymn was close to nature and adored God’s creation but recognized that even fairer than the creation is the Creator.

Richard Storrs Willis, composer of this hymn, was born in 1819 in Boston and was the son of a deacon. After attending Boston Latin School and Yale University, he moved to Germany to study music. There he became friends with Felix Mendelssohn. Returning home, Willis became the music critic for the New York Tribune and a noted music publisher. He’s best remembered for two beautiful melodies often heard in churches around the world—the tune for the Christmas carol “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” and the melody for the great German Catholic hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus.”

Verse One

“Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!

O Thou of God and man the Son!

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,

Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown!”

John 5:20-23

“For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him greater works than these, so that you will marvel. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes' Notes on the Bible: To honor is to esteem, reverence, praise, and do homage too. We honor one when we ascribe to him in our hearts, and words, and actions the praise and obedience which are due to him. We honor God when we obey Him and worship Him aright. We honor the Son when we esteem Him to be as He is; when we have right views and feelings toward Him. As He is declared to be God, as He here says He has power and authority equal with God, so we honor Him when we regard Him as such.

Studylight.org, Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible: That all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. No stronger statement of the deity of Christ appears in Scripture. How is God honored? By the soul’s purest adoration and worship. That is the way Christ should be honored. These words are equivalent to Jesus’ saying, "I am God and am entitled to all the honor belonging to the Father?"

Verse Two

“Fair are the meadows Fairer still the woodlands,

Robed in the blooming garb of spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

Who makes the woeful heart to sing!”

Psalm 77:6

"I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, And my spirit ponders.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: The idea is, that there had been times in his life when, even in darkness and sorrow, he could sing; when he could find things for which to praise God; when he could find something that would cheer him; when he could take some bright views of God adapted to calm down his feelings, and to give peace to his soul. He recalls those times and scenes to his remembrance, with a desire to have those cheerful impressions renewed; and he asks himself what it was which then comforted and sustained him. He endeavors to bring those things back again, for if he found comfort then, he thinks that he might find comfort from the same considerations now.

Psalm 104:10-18

“He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart. The trees of the Lord drink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, Where the birds build their nests, And the stork, whose home is the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the shephanim [small, shy, furry animals].”

Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: A psalm of David concerning the constitution of the world . . . it treats of the creation of all things, of the heavens and the earth, and of all creatures in them; and of the providence of God in taking care of them. Christ is the divine Person addressed and described throughout the whole.

 Verse Three

“Fair is the sunshine, Fairer still the moonlight,

And all the twinkling starry host;

Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,

Than all the angel's heaven can boast!”

 Isaiah 40:26

“Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.”

Biblehub.com, Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: Lift up your eyes on high . . . From the earth, and the inhabitants of it, even those of the greatest power and influence in it, to the heavens above, those that are visible to the eye: and behold who hath created these things; that are seen in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars; consider the Creator of them, what a glorious Being He must be; what power He must be possessed of; what dazzling light He must dwell in; what glory and majesty He must be clothed with.

1 Corinthians 15:41

“There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.”

Studylight.org, Clarkes Commentary: There is one glory of the sun — As if He had said: This may be illustrated by the present appearance of the celestial bodies which belong to our system. The sun has a greater degree of splendor than the moon; the moon than the planets; and the planets than the stars. And even in the fixed stars, one has a greater degree of splendor than another, which may proceed either from their different magnitudes, or from the comparative proximity of some of them to our earth.

 Verse Four

“All fairest beauty, Heavenly and earthly,

Wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee;

None can be nearer Fairer, or dearer,

Than Thou my Savior art to me.”

 Ephesians 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Those Gentiles who are now in Christ Jesus are no longer far off. They are made near to the things of God, and the blood of Christ accomplishes this, by His sacrificial death . . . This coming near happens only by the blood of Christ. Gentiles who are not in Christ Jesus are just as far off as they ever were. This reconciliation only happens in Jesus.

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: Before we were born again into the family of God, we were without Christ, without a heavenly citizenship, without a covenant relationship, without God's promises, without access to the throne of grace, and without hope in the world . . . But NOW through the blood of Christ, all restrictions in approaching our Creator have been lifted and all barriers to our Father have been removed . . . Let us live our lives as unto to the Lord, for He alone is worthy of our praise and thanks.

Psalm 145:18

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

Bibliaplus.org: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him - There is a sense in which He is “nigh” to all, for He is everywhere present; but there is a special sense in which He seems to be near to us; in which He manifests Himself to us; in which He gives us evidence of His presence. It is in prayer, in praise, in His ordinances - in His gracious interpositions on our behalf - in the peace and joy which we have in communion with Him.

This hymn has stood the test of time for over three hundred years and will continue to be used. The tune enchants the heart, and the text transcends time. What could be more beautiful than meadows in springtime, sun beams, or twinkling stars? Jesus, our “Ruler of all nature.” He “shines purer than all the angels heaven can boast”!

I am indebted to the following Resources:

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace

Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My soul, Special Edition

The One Year Book of Hymns, William J. Petersen and Randy Peterson

Umcdiscipleship.org, Hannah Cruse 

By His Grace . . .

The Love of God

 

"The Love of God," written by Frederick Lehman, describes and glorifies the love of our heavenly Father and His beloved Son. Lehman reminds us that the love of God will "forevermore endure" and always be with us!

Lehman emigrated to America with his family at age four, settling in Iowa, where he lived most of his childhood. He came to Christ at age 11, as he relates:

“One glad morning about eleven o’clock while walking up the country lane, skirted by a wild crab-apple grove on the right, and a fence with an old white-elm gate in a gap at the left, suddenly Heaven let a cornucopia of glory descend on the eleven-year-old lad. The wild crab-apple grove assumed a heavenly glow. That old white-elm gate with its sun-warped boards gleamed and glowed like silver bars to shut out the world and shut him in with the ’form of the fourth,’ just come into his heart. The weight of conviction was gone, and a song of joy and praise fell from his lips.”

Lehman studied for the ministry at Northwestern College in Naperville, Illinois, and pastored at Audubon, Iowa; New London, Indiana; and Kansas City, Missouri. The majority of his life was devoted to writing sacred songs; his first was written while a pastor in Kingsley, Iowa, in 1898. He wrote and published hundreds of songs and compiled five songbooks. In 1911, he moved to Kansas City, where he helped found the Nazarene Publishing House."

Lehman tells this story of the writing of the hymn: “While at camp meeting in a mid-western state, some fifty years ago in our early ministry, an evangelist climaxed his message by quoting the last stanza of this song. The profound depths of the lines moved us to preserve the words for future generations.” This hymn came after a challenging time in the life of the author. He had just lost his business after some of his business deals had gone sour.

Continuing, Lehman wrote: “Not until we had come to California did this urge find fulfillment, and that at a time when circumstances forced us to hard manual labor. One day, during short intervals of inattention to our work, we picked up a scrap of paper and, seated upon an empty lemon box pushed against the wall, with a stub pencil, added the first two stanzas and chorus of the song. The lyrics flowed through his heart. Before their paint brushes had obliterated them, one of the men jotted them down and thus they were preserved."

The third verse was found on the wall of a prison cell but was actually written nearly one thousand years ago by a Jewish songwriter named Rabbi Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai.

Rabbi Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai wrote a lengthy poem, “Hadamut,” which extolled God. Later that same year the crusaders invaded the city and murdered all the Jewish people. While we don’t know for sure about the rabbi, he was probably one of their victims as well.

George Beverly Shea wrote: “It never ceases to amaze how God uses people from all walks of life and from different circumstances to bring the message of His love to the world. Lehman and the writer of the third stanza never knew each other. They lived in different times and under different circumstances. Yet they had one consuming message—God’s love—which is found in this wonderful hymn."

Rev. Lehman, a German gentile, died in Pasadena, California in 1953. He had written hundreds of gospel songs over the course of his life.

“The Love of God” remains for all who are willing to accept it and the song lingers for future generations to discover and love. Many hymnals carry the song within their pages.

Verse One

“The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell.

The wandering child is reconciled by God's beloved Son.

The aching soul again made whole, and priceless pardon won.”

2 Corinthians 5:18

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: The gospel ministry, offering reconciliation and peace with God to all mankind, and ensuring these privileges to all the truly penitent that believe in Jesus . . . Freely forgiving all their sins. 

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: The word "us" here includes, doubtless, all who were Christians - whether Jews or Gentiles, or whatever was their rank. They had all been brought into a state of reconciliation, or agreement with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Studylight.com, Bridgeway Commentary: Before he became a Christian, Paul had judged Jesus by the standards of the ordinary person of the world, and in so doing had judged him wrongly. Now he no longer judges Jesus, or anyone else, from a merely human standpoint, because in Christ he sees everything in a new light . . . This changing from the old to the new is done by God through Jesus Christ. It is part of the total work that God does as he reconciles people to Himself and turns sinners into His friends. Having reconciled them, God then sends them out to preach the message of reconciliation to others, so that other sinners might be brought to God.

Verse Two

“When ancient time shall pass away, and human thrones and kingdoms fall;

When those who here refuse to pray on rocks and hills and mountains call;

God’s love so sure, shall still endure, all measureless and strong;

Grace will resound the whole earth round—the saints’ and angels’ song.”

1 Peter 1:25

“But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the Word which was preached to you.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Endureth forever - Is unmoved, fixed, permanent. Amidst all the revolutions on earth, the fading glories of natural objects, and the wasting strength of man, His truth remains unaffected. Its beauty never fades; its power is never made weak. The gospel system is as lovely now as it was when it was first revealed to man, and it has as much power to save as it had when first applied to a human heart. We see the grass wither at the coming on of autumn; we see the flower of the field decay; we see man, though confident in his strength, and rejoicing in the rigor of his frame, cut down in an instant; we see cities decline, and kingdoms lose their power: but the Word of God is the same now that it was at first, and, amidst all the changes which may ever occur on the earth, that will remain the same.

Verse Three

“Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;

Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill, and everyone a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.”

Psalm 74:17a

"You have established all the boundaries of the earth.”

Pbnradio.com: We can imagine this poet [the Rabbi who wrote the third verse] standing on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, contemplating the great love of his Jehovah. His heart is moved by the fires of inspiration. As the love of God sweeps over Meir Ben Isaac Nehorai's soul, his imagination fills the ocean with ink, the arching skies seem to magnify the scope of this all-compelling love, and the papyrus marsh comes to life with countless scribes writing ceaselessly and tirelessly about the measureless love of God.

Psalm 19:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: David looked to the heavens – not the spiritual heaven where God is enthroned, but the heavens of the blue sky and the night sky – and he clearly saw the glory of God declared . . . He could see it in the blue sky, with the glory of the sun and clouds and the beauty of sunrises and sunsets . . .  He could see it in the night sky, with the brightness of the moon, the awe of the starry sky and the cloudy spread of the distant galaxies . . . These together – with their size, their awe, their grandeur – shouted to David and all who would see, “The God who created all this is glorious, and this is evidence of His glory . . . He is glorious in His size, having created something so big . . . He is glorious in His engineering, having created something that works together so well . . . He is glorious in His artistry, having created something so beautiful . . . · He is glorious in His goodness and kindness, having created something for all humanity to see.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5

“May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: The love of God is the grand motive and principle of obedience; this must occupy your hearts: the heart is irregular in all its workings; God alone, by His Spirit, can direct it into His love, and keep it right; give a proper direction to all its passions, and keep them in order, regularity and purity.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable's Expository Notes: He prayed that God would give these brothers and sisters a greater appreciation of God’s love for them and of Christ’s steadfastness in the midst of His earthly afflictions. He wanted this so their love and patient endurance might increase.

Refrain

“O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

The saints’ and angels’ song.”

DesiringGod.org, John Piper: What is the love of God? What is it to be loved by God? The answer is: God sustains and exalts His holiness for your enjoyment forever. That’s the love of God. The love of God is His passion to sustain and uphold and exalt His holiness and His Son for your everlasting enjoyment. 

A Scripture verse to remember” “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Godtube Staff

Dianaleighmatthew.com

Hymnary.org

Godtube.com. Frederick M. Lehman

Sermoncentral.com, Jeff Simms 

By His Grace . . . 

I'd Rather Have Jesus

Geroge Beverly Shea is well known for singing this strong hymn of dedication and he also composed the music for it. The words were written by Rhea F. Miller.

The words for this song came from Miller’s father as a declaration of faith when he was saved from alcoholism. Miller heard her father preach the words “I’d rather have Jesus” and those words prompted her to write the poem.

Miller grew up in Brooktondale, New York. Her father, Martin Ross, was a drunk and wanted nothing to do with religion. Her mother, Bertha, was faithful to God. She was firm in her faith, and her steadfastness broke through the walls her husband had isolated himself with. He surrendered to the wooing of God’s spirit and was wonderfully delivered from the awful bondage of sin. As a result, he entered the ministry and became pastor of the Baptist Church in Brooktondale.

Rhea Miller was the wife of Dr. H. V. Miller, one of the General Superintendents of the Church of The Nazarene. After her husband’s death, Mrs. Miller taught piano and traveled all around the area in her little gray Nash coupe.

She had a special mission in life and that was to get into pastors’ homes and teach their kids how to play the piano so they would have something to contribute to the church when they became adults. She would offer to teach these kids for free and hope to make up the difference with her other students.

She was a very inspirational woman and made a deep impact upon many lives. She was very positive, always smiling, full of encouragement, and always enthusiastic.

George Beverly Shea was born into the home of fine Christian parents in Ontario, Canada, in 1909. His father was a minister of the gospel, and his mother was a strong spiritual and musical influence in his life.

His musical talent was recognized by many when he was young. He sang regularly in his father’s church. He attended Houghton College in New York but had to leave after one year because of family financial problems.

But that did not stop him from singing. He continued to sing in churches and for Christian radio programs, which led to the unexpected offer of an audition in New York City. He was offered a substantial salary and wide recognition for this secular singing position and prayed long and hard whether to accept. He thoughtfully turned them down to become a singing servant for our Savior.

He allowed the words to this hymn to guide and direct him as a young man. In 1944 he teamed up with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusades and has sung about Jesus all over the world.

Shea tells this story about the hymn: “Once again Mother, my musical guardian, had a part. A lover of beauty, be it a flower, a bird, a poem, an ennobling quotation, whatever, Mother was a collector. She loved to share poetry and she always had some verse in hand copied from a book or clipped from a magazine.

“It was her practice of leaving such writings on the piano music rack which led to my writing the music for ‘I’d Rather Have Jesus’ when I was twenty years old. The same Sunday morning I read those wonderful words for the first time, I used the song that morning in my father’s church service.

“Of course, Mrs. Miller is the catalyst. Without her inspiring lyrics, there would have been no song. Over the years, I’ve not sung any song more than ‘I’d Rather Have Jesus,’ but I never tire of Mrs. Miller’s heartfelt words.”

Verse One

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.”

Proverbs 16:16

"How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver."

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: To obtain and possess Christ, the fountain of wisdom, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which treasures are infinitely preferable to thousands of gold and silver; to gain the knowledge of Him, and of God in Him, with which eternal life is connected, and the truths of it, which are more to be desired than gold.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ and is led by the Spirit of Christ.

Verse Two

“I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause,

I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause,

I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,

I’d rather be true to His holy name.”

Psalm 37:3

“Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”

Bibleref.com: David continues his wise counsel by telling his audience to put their confidence in the Lord and do what is right. Those concepts are inseparable: trusting God and obeying Him go hand in hand. The book of James was written to teach that legitimate faith leads to related works.

Psalm 119:30

“I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: I have chosen the way of truth; among all the paths of life I have selected this. I prefer this. I desire to walk in this. Religion is, wherever it exists, a matter of preference or choice; and the friend of God prefers His service to the service of the world . . . I have set them before my mind as the guide of my conduct; I have made their observance the end and aim of my life.

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: Christ, who is the Way and the Truth, the true way to God and to eternal happiness; and to choose Him is to choose the good part, which shall never be taken away; and which choice is made, not by the free will of man, as left to itself, but under the influence and by the direction of the Spirit and grace of God.

Verse Three

“He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,

He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb,

He’s all that my hungering spirit needs,

I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.”

2 Corinthians 2:14

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: The implication is recognized when he erupts in thanksgiving to God. Paul . . . expresses the positive side of “triumph” where Christ leads him in triumph . . . Paul gives praise and glory to God for all successful conversions and restorations attributed to him by his preaching the gospel.

Psalm 143:10

"Teach me to do Your will; For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: The Spirit which guides those who trust in Thee; the Spirit with which “Thou” dost guide people. That Spirit is wise, prudent, judicious, reliable. It will not lead astray. Grant me “that” Spirit, and I shall be certain that I am going in the right path.

Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: Let Thy good Spirit lead me into the land of uprightness either into a right land where honesty prevails, and honest and upright men live; or, through a plain way, easy to be found, in which he should not err, and where would be no occasion of stumbling, or through the way of life; the way to eternal life, to heaven and happiness; the land where only truly righteous and upright persons dwell: such will be the new heaven and the new earth, as well as the ultimate state of glory; and to this the Spirit of God is the leader and guide of His people.

Christianity.com, Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary: A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what Thy will is but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have His Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit. He prays that he might be enlivened to do God’s will. But we should especially seek the destruction of our sins, our worst enemies, that we may be devotedly God’s servants.

Refrain

“Than to be the king of a vast domain,

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything,

This world affords today.”

1 Timothy 6:20

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge.’”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Paul repeated a theme often used, challenging Timothy to distinguish between what comes from God (that which was committed to your trust), and what comes from man (idle babblings); and to guard against becoming enamored with what comes from man . . . Paul had confidence in Timothy, and he did trust him. Yet Paul also knew how great the power of seduction is, and how high the stakes are--so he warned, and warned, and warned again. . . Guard what was committed to your trust: The gospel is a trust committed to pastors like Timothy; but also, to all believers. And when that trust is broken, some have strayed concerning the faith. We must do all that we can to keep this trust.

Titus 2:12

“Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: When the Christian appreciates this grace, it teaches him or her to deny ungodliness, the root problem, and worldly passions, the manifestation of the root problem. These passions are the desires that unbelievers find so appealing but which are not in harmony with God’s character . . . It instructs us positively to live sensibly; self-controlled inwardly, righteously, morally upright outwardly, and godly; reverently upwardly in this age.

George Beverly Shea, in his book, “How Sweet the Sound,” shared these words when he found the poem on the piano rack in his home: “As I read these precious words, I found myself singing the words in a melody that expressed the feelings of my heart. What a joy it was to sing with fervent voice in the key of B-flat. Soon a mother’s arms were around my shoulders. She had been in the next room having her devotions and now, joining me at the piano, there were tears in her eyes. She knew the words were having the desired effect—they were speaking to me about life’s choices.”

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Enjoyingthejourney.org

Hymnary.org, Ron Kelly

Songscoops.blogspot.com, David Cain

By His Grace . . .

The Ninety and Nine

 

Elizabeth Clephane was born in 1830, in Scotland. She was a quiet child, shrinking from notice and always absorbed in books. The loss of both her parents at an early age taught her sorrow.

As she grew, she was recognized as the cleverest of the family. She was first in her class and a favorite of the teacher. Her love of poetry was a passion. Among the sick and suffering she won the name of “My Sunbeam.”

 When she was 15 years old, she began to confide to her younger sister about what she had written. For years these two held what they called “literary seances.” She had a vivid imagination and used to improvise wonderful stories with hairbreadth escapes.

Clephane was considered frail. She gave much to the poor. It is said that she sold her horses to raise money for philanthropic causes. Her brother, George, was the lost sheep she wrote this poem about. She was twenty-one. The poem was based on the parable of the shepherd who left his ninety-nine sheep to go after the one lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) to help children remember the truths of Jesus’ words.

The creation of the words and the tune are both amazing from beginning to end. The text to her poem appeared in a newspaper, where it caught the attention of Ira Sankey, music director for evangelist Dwight L. Moody.

Sankey was on his way to Edinburg, Scotland, for an evangelistic meeting when he saw the poem. He “tucked the poem in his vest pocket and thought no more of it.”

That afternoon as Rev. Moody concluded his message, he turned to Sankey and abruptly asked that he sing an appropriate solo.

Sankey, remembering the poem in his pocket, pulled it out and quickly prayed for “divine help.” He walked to his little pump organ, struck the chord of A flat and began to sing. As he sang the song, in front of a live audience, he composed the melody on the spot.

 By the time Ira Sankey finished the song, both he and Mr. Moody were in tears. In Sankey’s words: “Mr. Moody was greatly moved. Leaving the pulpit, he came down to where I was seated. Leaning over the organ, he looked at the little newspaper slip from which the song had been sung, and with tears in his eyes said: ‘Sankey, where did you get that hymn? I never heard the like of it in my life.’ I was also moved to tears and arose and replied: ‘Mr. Moody, that’s the hymn I read to you yesterday on the train, which you did not hear.’ Then Mr. Moody raised his hand and pronounced the benediction, and the meeting closed. Thus ‘The Ninety and Nine’ was born. That evening, many responded to the call to give their life to Christ.”

During the tour, they held a service in Melrose. In the audience were the two sisters of Clephane. Imagine their delight and surprise, as they heard their dearly departed sister’s words sung by the famed Ira Sankey.

One day, Mr. Sankey received a letter from Elizabeth’s sister, thanking him for turning her late sister’s poem into a song. (She’d died several years before.)

 Verse One

“There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold,

But one was out on the hills away, far off from the gates of gold –

Away on the mountains wild and bare, away from the tender Shepherd’s care,

Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.”

 John 10:14

“I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The Good Shepherd lives and dies for the good of the sheep. He knows His sheep. He is known by His sheep. There is a mutually reciprocal knowledge between Jesus and His sheep.

Luke 15:4

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? “

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The lost sheep would never save himself, or find the shepherd himself. If the shepherd did not take action, the sheep was doomed . . . Jesus taught that God actively seeks out the lost. He does not grudgingly receive the lost; instead, He searches after them. God finds the sinner more than the sinner finds God.

 Verse Two

“Lord, thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; are they not enough for Thee?

But the Shepherd made answer: ‘This of mine has wandered away from me,

And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep,

I go to the desert to find My sheep.’”

 Matthew 18:12

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: Note these facts about a lost sheep: it is absolutely defenseless, having no weapon of any kind, no gift of speed in flight, no cunning, no means of deception; its very cries being only a signal for the enemy to close in for the kill; the sheep has no sense of direction. A carrier pigeon would surely be able to return to its nest; a dog might find its way home, but a sheep? Never! A lost sheep is surrounded by enemies, even the elemental forces of nature being hostile and often fatal of him when separated from the fold. The parable suggests the earthly mission of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who left the joys of heaven to wander amid the bleak scenes of earth to recover lost and sinful people. It also has an application to the church, or flock of God, in that the true place for every sheep is in the fold. There is no safety for the sheep separated from the Shepherd and the fold.

Wordwisehymns.com, Robert Cottrill: See the concentration of the Shepherd. Though He knows and cares for all His sheep, He is concerned for the welfare of each one individually. Even though most are safe in the fold, He notices that one has wandered off. Compare the work of salvation. The big picture is: “God so loved the world, and Jesus died for the sins of all mankind.” (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2) But that sufficient payment does not become efficient until it is personally appropriated by faith. Then, we as individuals can say, “The Son of God . . . loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

 Verse Three

“But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed;

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed thro’ ere He found His sheep that was lost.

Out in the desert He heard its cry – sick and helpless, and ready to die,

Sick and helpless, and ready to die.”

Matthew 4:10

"Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only."

Wordwisehymns.com, Robert Cottrill: See the courage of the Shepherd. He heads off into the wilderness to search for that one lost sheep. Similarly, God the Son took on our humanity and descended to the wilderness of this world, giving His life to save us. Even though His sacrifice is proclaimed in the Word of God, we can have little conception of what it cost Him.

AwedbyJesusChrist.com: Christ perfectly demonstrates the virtue of courage to encourage men. He was fortified by the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was raised, knowing the great courage of Mary’s and Joseph’s and their total commitment to serve God in the face of persecution. Jesus stands up to and defeats Satan when tempted in the wilderness. He evangelizes despite the ongoing plots to kill Him. He stands up to false teaching, repeatedly confronts the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He confronts the merchants and moneychangers. He braves the Nazareth mob that tries to cast Him off a cliff. Knowing full well the physical torture He will endure, accepts the Father’s will. Accepts death on the cross.

 Verse Four

“’Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way that mark out the mountain’s track?’

‘They were shed for one who had gone astray ere the Shepherd could bring Him back.’

‘Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn? They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn?

They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn.’”

 Luke 22:44

“And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Jesus fought against the temptation to avoid the cross, His agony of mind was so intense that He perspired what appeared to be blood. But He won the battle, and determined that He would willingly submit to whatever His Father would have him go through . . . He would give Himself without reservation, in order to save others. The decisive victory He won in the garden enabled Him to meet His betrayal, trial and death with renewed courage and assurance.

We can be assured that Jesus will do the same for all of us to save us.

Verse Five

“But all thro’ the mountains, thunder-riv’n, and up from the rocky steep,

There arose a glad cry to the gate of heav’n, ‘Rejoice! I have found my sheep!’

And the angels echoed around the throne, ‘Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!’”

Luke 15:5-7

“And when He finds it, He joyfully puts it on His shoulders and goes home. Then He calls His friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: When Jesus finds His people, He also carries them . . . the emphasis in this parable is not on the proportion, but on the joy of finding the lost . . . Though the sheep does nothing to rescue himself or repent, Jesus mentioned the need for repentance in the last few words of this brief story. It’s almost as if He said, “The sheep doesn’t repent, but you need to when God finds you.”

Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Wordwisehymns.com, Robert Cottrill

Hymnologyarchive.com

DianaleaghMatthews.com

En.wikipedia.org

Wellingtonadvertiser.com, Stephen Thorning

By His Grace . . .