I SurrenderAll

Songs of personal commitment to Christ often stem from a particular experience in the life of the author. This hymn is no different. And you can probably write your own story of that once in a lifetime moment when you surrendered all to Christ.

Billy Graham, evangelist of our century, wrote this tribute to Judson Van DeVenter: “One of the evangelists who influenced my early preaching was also a hymnist who wrote ‘I Surrender All.’ He was a regular visitor at the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity Bible College) in the late 1930’s. We students loved this deeply spiritual gentleman and often gathered in his winter home at Tampa, Florida, for an evening of fellowship and singing.”

Judson Van DeVenter was born on a farm in Michigan in 1855 to a farmer, John Wesley and his wife, Eliza Ann. Judson had an older brother, Virgil and at least two younger siblings, Nelson and Fanny.

At the age of 17 he accepted Jesus into his heart. However, he struggled with surrendering it all. Following graduation from Hillsdale College, he married Malissa Miller, in 1880. Van DeVenter lived with his in-laws and worked as a painter, before teaching art in the public schools of Sharon, PA. He was, in addition, an accomplished musician, singer, and composer. Van DeVenter was also an active layman in the Methodist Episcopal Church, involved in the church's evangelistic meetings.

Over the years Van DeVenter mastered thirteen different musical instruments, along with singing and composing music, and he became very involved in the music ministry at his church.

Van DeVenter began to struggle with the call upon his life.  He was torn between continuing his teaching career or leaving and entering evangelistic ministry.  His friends greatly encouraged him to enter evangelism, because of his fervent faith. 

Van DeVenter describes the day he surrendered. “The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, and in the home of George Sebring (founder of Sebring Camp Meeting Bible Conference) . . . For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work.

"At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing.”

Following his decision to surrender his life to Christ, he traveled extensively throughout the United States, England, and Scotland in evangelistic work. Van DeVenter had a radio program, “The Gospel in Song and Story.” 

He retired to Tampa, Florida and was a regular professor of hymnology at Florida Bible Institute in the 1920s.  After his retirement, he was a regular visitor to the Bible Institute.  He remained active with speaking and ministry engagements even after he retired.

Verse One

“All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.”

 

1 Timothy 1:12

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.”

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.

Psalm 35:18

“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: This is the resolution the psalmist came unto; the promise he made, that should he be delivered from his enemies, he would give God thanks in the most public manner; that is, he would acknowledge God to be the Author of the mercy, and himself unworthy of it; and would ascribe glory, honor, blessing, and thanksgiving to Him, in the midst of the church and people of God.

Verse Two

“All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at his feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken,

Take me, Jesus, take me now.”

Titus 2:12

“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Note on the Whole Bible: That denying ungodliness and worldly lusts – ‘That by denying ourselves of these, or refusing to practice them, we should lead a holy life.’ The word ungodliness here means all that would be included under the word impiety; that is, all failure in the performance of our proper duties towards God. The phrase ‘worldly lusts’ refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life - the desire of wealth, pleasure, honor, sensual indulgence. It refers to such passions as the people of this world are prone to and would include all those things which cannot be indulged in with a proper reference to the world to come. The gross passions would be of course included, and all those more refined pleasures also which constitute the characteristic and special enjoyments of those who do not live unto God.

Verse Three

“All to Jesus I surrender;

Make me, Savior, wholly thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that thou art mine.”

Psalm 51:11

“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”

Scripturesavvy.com: This plea for the presence of the Holy Spirit is a reminder of empowerment. We can’t do anything worthwhile in our own strength. This realization can be a freeing, albeit humbling, acknowledgment. As followers of Christ, we need to lean into His strength, drawing on His wisdom, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide our paths every day. When we seek God’s presence, we are ensured of His provision for our lives, just like David was when he continually sought the Lord during his reign as king.

Verse Four

“All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to thee,

Fill me with thy love and power,

Let thy blessing fall on me.”

Ephesians 3:19

“And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Scripturesavvy.com: The verse Ephesians 3:19 speaks to a profound experience that we, as believers in Christ, can have. It highlights the love of Christ, an unconditional and everlasting love that goes beyond our human understanding. This love is not just for intellectual knowledge but is meant to be experienced and felt deeply in our hearts. The phrase “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” suggests that when we grasp the depth of Christ’s love, it leads us toward a richer and more complete life filled with God’s presence . . . Knowing the love of Christ is transformational . . . It’s about a personal relationship with Him, where we can feel His love, mercy, and grace in our lives. This love not only shapes who we are but also helps us understand how we interact with others. By understanding Christ’s love, we can also love others deeply and selflessly. This verse encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God, embracing His love that is both vast and profound.

“That you may be filled with all the fullness of God” summarizes the outcome of knowing Christ’s love. This fullness represents all that God is—the wisdom, love, joy, and peace that come from Him. It assures us that God desires for us to be complete and fulfilled. When we embrace Christ’s love, God fills us with the essence of Himself, allowing us to represent His character in our everyday lives.

Refrain

“I surrender all,

I surrender all,

All to thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all”

Surrender is a powerful word. To give oneself up into the power of another. That is what we do. We give all of us into Jesus.

We have no need to fear giving God our all. He loves us deeply and knows what is truly best for us. On whatever path He takes us, we can be sure that the result will be a happier and more fruitful life than the one we would have planned for ourselves. May we sing with wholehearted confidence:

“All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.”

 

 I am indebted to the following Resources:

101 More Hymn Stories, Kenneth W. Osbeck

Umcdiscipleship.org

Godtube.com

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Iblp.org

 By His Grace . . .

When Morning Gilds the Skies

I’ve always loved the title and first line of this hymn: “When morning gilds the skies my heart awakening cries: May Jesus Christ be praised!” I loved singing it as I drove to work and the sun broke through the darkness. My heart sang out: “May Jesus Christ be praised!” These five words form a brief refrain that encapsulates the intent of the entire hymn.

The hymn we sing today has 19th-century German roots, with a translation by Edward Caswall (1814-1878), a Roman Catholic and one of the foremost translators of hymns of his era; adapted by Robert Bridges (1844-1930), a British poet, and set to music by English choirmaster, Joseph Barnby (1838-1896).

We don’t always know the writer of a hymn, the story of a hymn writer’s life or how a hymn came to be. Yet hymns are not anonymous. Somebody wrote the text. Somebody was influenced by life’s circumstances, and somebody felt the touch of God.

The hymn first appeared in a Roman Catholic hymnal, Catholisches Gesangbuch in 1828. That hymnal originated in Wurzburg, on the Main River near Frankfurt.  That is a lovely country, with hills and streams.  It’s no wonder that a poet, seeing that beauty, would be inspired to write a hymn praising God for natural wonders.

The hymn celebrates more than natural wonders.  It calls us to praise God whether we are at work or at prayer––whether in the night or the day–– even when faced with the powers of darkness, which lose their power when subjected to praise to God.  It calls us to praise God “thro’ all the ages long.”

To praise God morning, noon and night, and by everyone, everywhere, is exactly what the author of “When Morning Gilds the Skies” had in mind.  

The hymn was translated from German into English by Edward Caswell, born in 1814. Caswell was the son of an Anglican clergyman and was ordained as an Anglican. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford. He converted to Catholicism in 1847, prior to translating this hymn in 1854.

He was known for his interest in helping the poor, the sick and little children. He translated many Latin hymns into English. In addition to this hymn, Caswell translated the well-known, “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.”

Distinguished English poet and translator, Robert Bridges, tried his hand at improving the text, noting in 1899 that, “It is of great merit, and I have tried to give a better version of it than the current one, keeping the original metre, preserving the first lines of the old translation, since it is by them that the hymn is known.”

Robert Seymour Bridges was a British poet who was Poet Laureate 1913 to 1930. A doctor by training, he achieved literary fame only late in life. His poems reflect a deep Christian faith, and he is the author of many well-known hymns.

Bridges was born in England, the son of John Thomas Bridges and Harriett Elizabeth. He was the fourth son and eighth child. Bridges was educated at Eton College in Oxford. He went on to study medicine in London at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital intending to practice until the age of forty and then retire to write poetry.

Lung disease forced Bridges to retire from his post as physician in 1885, and from that point on he devoted himself to writing and literary research. However, Bridges's literary work started long before his retirement, spending the rest of his life in rural seclusion.

He was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1900. He was appointed Poet Laureate in 1913, the only medical graduate to have held the office.

Verse One

“When morning gilds the skies,

my heart awakening cries:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Alike at work and prayer,

to Jesus I repair:

May Jesus Christ be praised!”

Psalm 59:16

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: Of providential mercies, which are new every morning; and of special mercy in the heart of God, in the covenant of His grace, in redemption, in regeneration, in the pardon of sin, and in eternal life and salvation.

Scripturesavvy.com: Mornings often symbolize fresh starts, new hope, and an opportunity to renew our spirits. When we begin our day by reflecting on God’s love, we set a positive tone for everything that follows. It reminds us that God is with us in every moment, no matter the struggles we face. Each day offers a chance to approach life with renewed grace, allowing God’s love to saturate our hearts.

Verse Two

“To God, the Word on high,

the hosts of angels cry:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let mortals too upraise,

their voices in hymns of praise:

May Jesus Christ be praised!”

Psalm 148:2

“Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.”

Enduringword.com The psalmist called upon all angelic beings to give God praise. This is the constant occupation of the living creatures surrounding God’s throne. The company of faithful angels is like a great army (all His hosts).

Studylight.org, Smith’s Bible Commentary: The calling forth for praise unto God by all of His created hosts: the angels, the hosts, the stars, and planets, and the universe.

Scripturesavvy.com: This verse speaks to our responsibility as humanity to recognize the power and majesty of God. Just as angels and celestial beings are called to praise, we too should join in. It serves as a reminder that every creation, from the stars to the trees and the animals we see, has a role in glorifying God. This brings a sense of purpose not only to us as individuals but also to the entire universe. God desires for all to worship Him, encompassing both the seen and the unseen realms.

Verse Three

“Let earth’s wide circle round,

in joyful notes resound:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let air and sea and sky,

from depth to height reply:

May Jesus Christ be praised!”

Psalm 96:11

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.”

Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Let all worlds be full of joy, as they are all interested in the fact here stated. The universe is one. It has been made by the same hand; it is under the control of the same mind; it is governed by the same laws. The God who reigns on earth reigns in heaven; and what affects one part of the universe affects all. Hence, in all the manifestation of the character of God, whether made in heaven or in the earth, it is proper to call on all the universe to partake in the general joy . . . In praise to God, it is not uncommon in the Scriptures to call on inanimate things to praise God . . . His reign is an occasion for universal gladness. All in the inanimate world; all among the irrational tribes of being; all in the air, in the waters, or on the earth, have occasion for praise, and would render praise if they could appreciate the wisdom and goodness evinced in their creation.

Verse Four

“Be this, when day is past,

of all our thoughts the last:

May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day,

when from the heart we say:

May Jesus Christ be praised!”

Revelation 22:5

“There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: All of the dread and fear of the darkness which have dogged the steps of humanity through the ages shall disappear in the light and bliss of heaven. "The saved will need no sun nor lamp, because of the light of the divine glory with them." Isbon T. Beckwith, op. cit., p. 767.

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: The Lord God giveth them light; immediately from Himself, without the use of means and ordinances; and in His light the saints will see all things clearly; who will be always communicating it to them, and will be their everlasting light; and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Verse Five

“Be this, while life is mine,

My canticle divine,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this th' eternal song

Through all the ages long,

Colossians 3:16 

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Bibleref.com: Paul encourages the singing of various types of spiritual songs. Paul never gives preference to one type of music over another. His purpose here is simply to state that all types of music were to be used to let the word of Christ dwell richly within us. This singing was to be done with an attitude of thanksgiving. Singing praise to God is largely associated with showing our gratitude to Him, rather than focusing on ourselves or our own desires.

Biblehub.com: A canticle is a hymn or song of praise drawn directly from Scripture (outside the Book of Psalms) or composed in a manner intentionally reflective of scriptural praise

Jesus Christ deserves our praise. Day or night must not pass without words and songs of praise to our Lord. Whether our day is hard or our night lonely, the praise we bring forth for our Savior must come from a steadfast spirit and firm faith.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Sermonwriter.com

Umcdiscipleship.org

En.wikipedia.org

The Complete Book of Hymns, William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen

By His Grace . . .

“Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”

 

Photographer Unknown

Rufus Henry McDaniel, writer of this hymn, said: “I feel in my soul that God has something for me to do in brightening the experience of struggling souls. My chief desire is to be a blessing, if possible, to my fellowmen through these hymns and thereby glorify God in the name of His dear Son ‘whose I am and whom I serve.’”

McDaniel lost a son, and following his son’s untimely death he penned the words to this hymn as an expression of his faith and hope. And the words of this hymn certainly do that for every Christian.

McDaniel wrote how “a wonderful change in my life has been wrought.” How light had come into his soul, and he had “ceased from my wandering and going astray.” How his sins were “washed away.”

This testimonial poem is not some quick sparkling firework celebration of faith but the testimony of an authentic Christian journey of faith with a clear spiritual vision of God’s salvation and kingdom.

McDaniel was born in 1850 in Brown County, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools there and attended Parker’s Academy in Clermont County, Ohio. He started preaching at age nineteen and then became a minister with the Christ Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1873.

McDaniel married and had three children. One son became a minister. Another son died. A daughter married Frank R. Liesenhoff of Dayton, OH.

McDaniel was a poet and would often send his poems out to be published as songs.  One poem he wrote in preparation for the upcoming Billy Sunday revivals in Philadelphia.  He sent six poems to song writer Charles Gabriel as many seemed to enjoy singing Gabriel’s songs.  But he waited and waited and never heard anything.  As such, he just felt the poems were rejected.

He then began to read of the words to his poem in various publications. Not only did Gabriel take one of his poems and put it to music, it was sung at most of those revival meetings with Billy Sunday and folks were singing this song in the streets of Philadelphia.  The song? "Since Jesus Came Into My Heart.”

The song was introduced in pamphlet form at Billy Sunday campaigns at Philadelphia, PA, in 1915 and was first published later that year in Songs for Service edited by Homer A. Rodeheaver, who purchased the copyright and then renewed it in 1942. 

After serving various local churches in southern Ohio, including Hamersville, Higginsport, Centerburg, Sugar Creek, and Cincinnati, McDaniel retired in Dayton, Ohio. During his life, he produced more than one hundred songs, many of which were found in the collections published by the Rodeheaver Company, before his death on Feb. 13, 1940, in Dayton.

McDaniel expressed regret for not entering into the field of hymn writing earlier in his career, but he had a great passion for leading song services. “Since Jesus Came into My Heart” stands out as his most popular and beloved hymn, having been included in at least 224 hymnals

Verse One

“What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

I have light in my soul for which long I had sought,

Since Jesus came into my heart!”

2 Corinthians 4:6

“For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: He has given our hearts the glorious light of the Gospel, as he has given the world the glorious light of the sun. As sure, therefore, as God is the author of the light and the creator of the universe, so sure is he the author of the Gospel; it is no human invention; and is as far beyond the power of man's wisdom and might, as the creation of the world is beyond all created power, energy, and skill.

Verse Two

“I have ceased from my wandering and going astray,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

And my sins, which were many, are all washed away,

Since Jesus came into my heart!”

1 Corinthians 6:11

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Enduringword.com: God’s great work for us in Jesus Christ is described in three terms. (1) We are washed clean from sin by the mercy of God. (2) We are set apart, away from the world and unto God, by the work of Jesus on the cross, by God’s Word, by faith in Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit. (3) We are declared “just” before the court of God, not merely “not guilty,” but declared as “just” before Him. We are justified by God’s grace through the work of Jesus on the cross, by faith and not by our own deeds.

Verse Three

“I’m possessed of a hope that is steadfast and sure,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

And no dark clouds of doubt now my pathway obscure,

Since Jesus came into my heart!”

Hebrew 6:19

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.”

Studylight.com, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: Hope is the great anchor, or stabilizer, of the human soul; and that hope for the Christian is Christ the Lord . . . The aptness of the figure of an anchor appears in the fact that an anchor is not doing any good at all as long as it is visible. It is only when it disappears in the deep beneath that it stabilizes and protects the ship; how beautiful is the imagery of Christ's also being out of sight from Christians, having disappeared into the unseen world, but who is nevertheless connected with Christians by the strong and effective cable of his love, just as the anchor, though unseen, is connected to the ship by a mighty chain . . . It is literally and gloriously true that the Christian's hope is in heaven where the Lord has already entered.

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Hope accomplishes for the soul the same thing which an anchor does for a ship. It makes it fast and secure . . . In the tempests and trials of life, his mind is calm as long as his hope of heaven is firm.

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Crosswalk.com: Everyone who chooses to keep their minds steadfast because they trust in God can count on experiencing perfect peace while they do so, according to this verse. That means you can enjoy a state of perfect peace as long as you focus your mind from beyond your circumstances to God, and trust him to help you no matter what. As a result of choosing to trust God, you welcome God’s peace into your mind.

Verse Four

“I shall go there to dwell in that city, I know,

Since Jesus came into my heart!

And I'm happy, so happy, as onward I go,

Since Jesus came into my heart!”

Hebrew 12:22

“But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly.”

Biblestudytools.com: The Gospel church is a city, built on Christ, the foundation; and is full of habitants, true believers, at least it will be, in the latter day; it is pleasantly situated by the river of God's love, and by the still waters of Gospel ordinances; it is governed by wholesome laws, of Christ's enacting, and is under proper officers, of his appointing; and is well guarded by watchmen, which he has set upon the walls of it; and it is endowed with many privileges, as access to God, freedom from the arrests of justice, and from condemnation, adoption, and a right to the heavenly inheritance: and this may be called "the city of God," because it is of his building, and here he dwells, and protects, and defends it; and who is styled "the living God," to distinguish him from the idols of the Gentiles, which are lifeless and inanimate, no other than sticks and stones.

Psalm 68:3

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.”

Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: That is, let them be prosperous and happy; let them be under thy protecting care, and partake of thy favor. While the wicked are driven away like smoke, let the righteous live, and flourish, and be safe . . . the righteous will be admitted to his presence, and will rejoice before him. Yea, let them exceedingly. The expression is designed to express great joy; joy that is multiplied and prolonged. It is joy of heart accompanied with all the outward expressions of joy.

Refrain

“Since Jesus came into my heart,

Since Jesus came into my heart,

Floods of joy o’er my soul

Like the sea billows roll,

Since Jesus came into my heart.”

Romans 10:9

“If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

In Acts 3:19b it says: “. . . that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” And when Jesus comes into your heart that is just what you get. Times of refreshing. Joy. Never to depart. Relief. Calm. Peace. So many positive words and thoughts come when Jesus comes into your heart. A wonderful change in your outlook. A light that has never been there before.

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: This was a time of respite, which God gave them to repent of their sins, and be converted to himself. Taking the word in the sense of refreshment in general, it may mean the whole reign of the kingdom of grace, and the blessings which God gives here below to all genuine believers, peace, love, joy, and communion with himself. 

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Hishymnhistory.blogspot.com

Hymnstudiesblog.wordpress.com

Inspiration.org

Umcdiscipleship.org

By His Grace . . .

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

When Thomas Ken, writer of “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,” better known as the “Doxology,” was a chaplain at Winchester College, England, he wanted to encourage the devotional habits of the boys he instructed. Ken wrote three hymns and suggested to the boys they use the hymns privately in their rooms. This was revolutionary because English hymns had not yet appeared in public writings. Only Psalms were sung in public worship.

There was a morning hymn; an evening hymn, and a third to be sung at midnight if sleep didn’t come. All three hymns ended with a common stanza: “Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

Ken was born in Little Berkhampstead on the fringes of greater London. His father was Thomas Ken of Furnival's Inn, an Inn of Chancery, in Somerset; his mother was the daughter of English poet, John Chalkhill. When his parents died, he was raised by his half sister and her husband, who enrolled him in Winchester College, an historic boy’s school.

Ken was later ordained to the ministry and returned to Winchester College as a chaplain. Ken held various church and academic positions. He even served as chaplain to Princess Mary until he stood firmly against her in “a case of immorality at the Court.”

In 1646 Ken's stepsister, Anne, married Izaak Walton, author of The Compleat Angler, a connection which brought Ken under the influence of this gentle and devout man.

Ken was a man of conscience and independent mind who did not avoid conflicts with royalty. In 1680, Ken was appointed chaplain to England’s King Charles II. It was a thankless job, as Charles kept a variety of mistresses.  Once the king asked to lodge a mistress in the chaplain’s residence. Thomas rebuked him, saying: “Not for the King’s Kingdom!” Afterward the king referred to him as “that little man who refused lodging to poor Nellie.”

Ken’s hymns have by no means been lost today. However, it is his final verse — our beloved “Doxology” — that has endured. So well-known is it that it needs no placeholder in our hymnbooks. Christians the world over simply know it, almost without fail — both Ken’s timeless words and the tune.

Ken did not write the tune, called Old One-Hundredth, originally designed to accompany the singing of Psalm 134, and later Psalm 100. It first appeared in the Geneva Psalter in 1551 and was written by Louis Bourgeois (1510–1561), who served as head of choirs and music, alongside famous pastor and theologian John Calvin.

A story is told by Bishop McCabe. He said that while the prisoners of the Union Army during the Civil War were incarcerated in Libby Prison, day after day they saw comrades passing away and their numbers increased by living recruits. One night, about ten o’clock, through the darkness they heard the tramp of feet that soon stopped before the prison door, until arrangements could be made inside. In the company was a young Baptist minister, whose heart almost fainted when he looked on those cold walls and thought of the suffering inside. Tired and weary, he sat down, put his face in his hands, and wept.

Just then a lone voice sang out from an upper window, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”; a dozen joined in the second line, more than a score in the third line, and the words, “Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,” were sung by nearly all the prisoners.

Despite its brevity, the Doxology beautifully declares the glory of the Trinity: This God, utterly complete in goodness and power, has revealed Himself to His people. He is one and three — one God, three persons, working in history to redeem and restore His people from their sin and rebellion. He is a God three times for us in a great salvation, which is arranged by the Father, accomplished by the Son, and applied by the Spirit.

For one, our God is indeed the one from whom all genuine blessings flow. He Himself is the Blessed One, the only One in whom is fullness of joy and pleasures forever . . . God delights to give, to overflow with joy, to bless his creatures and share His own happiness in them. He is the giver of “every good gift and every perfect gift.”

This blessed God is also sovereign over all. He is both the singular source of all true good, and He is the Almighty. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all nature, and all the heavenly hosts above, and “all creatures here below.” Here and there, above and below, He is God and “does all that He pleases.” As the great humbled king of Babylon learned to declare in his own doxology, our God “does according to His Will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand.”

“God is glorified in our heartfelt expression of praise. God made us for praise. He made us for doxology.”

Here are the first, second and third verses of Thomas Ken’s “Morning Hymn,” which originally contained fourteen stanzas:

“Awake, my Soul, and with the Sun, Thy daily stage of duty run, Shake off dull sloth, and early rise, To pay thy Morning Sacrifice.”

“Lord, I my vows to Thee renew, Disperse my sins as morning dew; Guard my first springs of thought and will; And with Thyself my spirit fill.”

“Direct, control, suggest, this day, All I design or do or say, That all my pow'rs, with all their might, In Thy sole glory may unite.”

Next are the first, second and third verses of the Evening Hymn:

“All praise to You, my God, this night, For all the blessings of the light. Keep me, O keep me, King of kings, Beneath the shelter of Your wings.”

“Forgive me, Lord, for this I pray, The wrong that I have done this day. May peace with God and neighbor be, Before I sleep restored to me.”

“Lord, may I be at rest in You, And sweetly sleep the whole night thro'. Refresh my strength, for Your own sake, So I may serve You when I wake.”

And these are the first, second and third verses of the Midnight hymn:

“My God, I now from sleep awake, The sole possession of me take; From midnight terrors me secure, And guard my heart from thoughts impure.”

“Blest angels, while we silent lie, Your hallelujahs sing on high; You joyful hymn the ever-blest, Before the throne, and never rest.”

“I with your choir celestial join, In offering up a hymn divine; With you in Heav’n I hope to dwell, And bid the night and world farewell.”

Doxology

“Praise God, from all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

Ephesians 1:3

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Paul called for a blessing upon the Father (in the sense of recognizing His glory and honor and goodness), because the Father has already blessed the believer with every spiritual blessing. Moule wrote that the idea behind blessed is, “Praised with worshipping love.” This blessing is ours. God’s resources are there for us always. This speaks of an attitude of certainty and assurance.

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: Paul reminds his readers that they are saints, God’s holy people, who live their lives in union with Jesus Christ . . . God’s blessings, which believers receive because of their union with Christ, are not limited to the things of this world. They lift the lives of believers above everyday things so that now, in the present world, they can enjoy the spiritual blessings of the heavenly world. God planned His purposes for His people before the universe was created. In His love He chose them to be His children, His aim being that they should be holy and blameless, and so bring praise to Him.

Psalm 103:21

“Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: David began the psalm by telling his own soul to bless the Lord, but he knew the praise and honor to God should go beyond what he could give. It should extend all the way to the angels, who excel in strength, who do His Word: The angels are strong and obedient, but even they should bless the LORD, giving Him praise and honor. Bless the LORD, all you His hosts: The angels also make up God’s hosts: His heavenly army under His command who do His pleasure. As God’s soldiers, they should give Him the honor and praise due to Him.

Our Joy, His Glory. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The “Doxology” has served as a ready-made form, and occasion, for Christians to connect the very purposes of God in all He does with our heart’s deepest desire. God made our hearts to ache for happiness. And He made the world, and us, to glorify Him. And in this act of praise (which the “Doxology” directs and assists), our souls both rejoice and go public in expressing their delight in Him.

God is glorified in our heartfelt expression of praise. God made us for praise. He made us for doxology. He made the world that He might be praised. And these simple yet profound words serve that simple yet most profound human act of devotion — and all the more when we join our voices and sing together.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

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

Umcdiscipleship.org

Reasonabletheology.org

Christianitytoday.com

Godtube.com

DesiringGod.org, David Mathis

En.wikipedia.org

 By His Grace . . .