Check out my other blog site for ENCOURAGEMENT and HOPE as we walk with God each day: NOTEworthyforGod.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 24, 2025

This is My Father's World


It is told that Maltbie Davenport Babcock writer of “This is My Father’s World” took “morning walks to the top of a hill north of town where he had a full view of Lake Ontario and the surrounding country.” It was said that he had a frequent expression before leaving for these walks, “I’m going out to see my Father’s world.

One of the leading Presbyterian ministers of his generation, Maltbie Davenport Babcock, writer of “This is My Father’s World,” penned this hymn with such concrete language that even children can understand its message at a basic level. He followed Dr. Henry Van Dyke, author of the hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” as the minister of Brick Presbyterian Church.

Maltbie Davenport Babcock' was born in Syracuse, New York, eldest son of Henry and Emily Babcock. His first American ancestor was James Babcock, a native of England, who immigrated in 1642, settling first at Portsmouth, Rhode Island and then in Westerly, where his descendants became prominent.

Maltbie Babcock was educated in the public schools of Syracuse. As a young man, Babcock was described as “tall and broad-shouldered” and a muscular swimmer and baseball player.

He graduated in 1879 from Syracuse University with highest honors. He played baseball on the University's ball team and was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity. He was selected to give the Alumni Address in 1895. He studied theology at the Auburn Theological Seminary receiving his degree there in 1882.

On October 4, 1882, he married Katherine Eliot Tallman, the youngest daughter of John Peck Higgins Tallman, a prominent lawyer of Poughkeepsie, New York. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy.

Upon receiving his degree in theology in 1882, Babcock became pastor of a church at Lockport, New York. He was described as having "an unusually brilliant intellect and stirring oratorical powers that commanded admiration, [that] won for him a foremost place among the favorites of his denomination."

Babcock also served at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. He led a fund-raising effort to assist Jewish refugees from Russia and was honored with a Doctor of Divinity degree from Syracuse University.

Babcock was preeminently a preacher. He was a clear thinker and a fluent speaker, with a marvelous personal magnetism which appealed to all classes of people, and the influence of which became in a sense national. His theology was broad and deep, yet without a touch of present-day uncertainty. Added to the genius of spirituality he had the genius of work, and it was owing to his unselfish devotion to the great work of uplifting mankind that he literally wore himself out and died at the early age of forty-two.

When he was forty-two, his church presented him with a special gift, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. With great excitement, Babcock departed by ship. While in route at Naples, Italy, he was seized with a deadly bacterial fever and died at the International Hospital in 1901.

After his death, his wife compiled his writings into a book entitled, “Thoughts for Everyday Living,” published in 1901. Included was Maltbie’s “This is My Father’s World.

One of his poems gives insight into his approach to life: “We are not here to play, to dream, to drift, We have hard work to do, and loads to lift, Shun not the struggle; face it; ’Tis God’s gift.

For Babcock, nature was not only a visual spectacle, but an aural experience. Perhaps the author’s skill as a musician contributed to the many auditory images: “listening ears” and “nature sings” and “birds their carols raise” and “rustling grass.”

Verse One
“This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings,
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought,
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.”

Hebrews 2:4
“God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: God testified to His approval of Christ’s preaching and the apostles’ preaching about Christ by providing authenticating miracles that showed God was with them . . .  "Signs" emphasizes that the miracles signify something. "Wonders" emphasizes the reaction of awe that the miracles produced in those who observed them. "Miracles" emphasizes their supernatural origin and "gifts" the graciousness of God in providing them. The writer intended that reference to these miracles would bolster the readers’ confidence in the gospel that they had received.

Job 37:14
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: The wondrous works of God. — Endless in their variety; stupendous in their structure; complicated in their parts; indescribable in their relations and connections; and incomprehensible in the mode of their parts, and in the ends of their creation.

Verse Two
“This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.”

Psalm 50:1
“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.”

Biblehub.com, The Treasury of David: "The Mighty God, even the Lord" - El, Elohim, Jehovah, three glorious names for the God of Israel. To render the address the more impressive, these titles are mentioned, just as in royal decrees the names and dignities of monarchs are placed in the forefront. Here the true God is described as Almighty, as the only and perfect object of adoration and as the self-existent One, "Hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun until the going down thereof." The dominion of Jehovah extends over the whole earth, and therefore to all mankind is His decree directed. The east and the west are bidden to hear the God who makes his sun to rise on every quarter of the globe.

Verse Three
“This is my Father's world.
O let me ne'er forget,
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!”

Psalm 93
“The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.”

Biblehub.com, Benson Commentary: He is the King and Governor, not only of Israel, but of the whole world, as the last clause of the verse expounds it; and accordingly He will, in His due time, set up His empire over all nations . . . It was the psalmist’s glory and confidence that, though the nations boasted of the power and splendor of their kings, and trusted to their military preparations, yet the Lord, the great Jehovah, the God of Israel, still reigned.

Biblestudytools.com: The King Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true Jehovah. God over all, the Lord God omnipotent: He has reigned, He was set up as King from everlasting; He reigned throughout the whole Old Testament dispensation; He was promised, and prophesied of, as a King; He came as such, in human nature, into the world, though His kingdom was not with observation; when He ascended to heaven, He was made or declared Lord and Christ, and was crowned with glory and honor; He now reigns in the hearts of His people, by His Spirit and grace; and, ere long, He will take to Himself His great power, and reign more manifestly; when the kingdoms of this world shall become His, and He shall be King over all the earth; and this His government will be still more apparent when He shall come in person, and reign with His saints on earth a thousand years; and, after that, for ever and ever, in heaven.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:
Umcdiscipleship.org
Dianaleaghmatthews.com
Godtube.com
En.wikipedia.org
Hymnologyarchive.com
Robert J. Morgan, Then Sings My Soul

By His Grace . . . 

Thursday, April 17, 2025

All Creatures of Our God and King


“All Creatures of Our God and King” was written by Francis of Assisi shortly before his death in 1225. On first hearing the title one might assume the hymn is about animals. But the hymn focuses on the elements of nature: sun, moon, wind, water, music, light and fire. As a great lover of nature, Saint Francis of Assisi saw the hand of God in all creation. He demonstrated through his own life the tender, humble, forgiving spirit and absolute trust in God that his hymn urges others.

Giovanni di Bernadone, born in 1182, nicknamed ‘Francesco’ by his father, was raised in a wealthy household. Francis led a carefree life participating in various revelries of the day. He joined a military expedition fighting as a soldier for Assisi and was taken prisoner, spending a year in captivity while also suffering illness. During this time Francis had a vision that directed him back to Assisi, where he lost all interest in that which he once enjoyed.

Through several personal experiences he came to desire a life of poverty, charity, and discipleship. According to legend, he was selling goods for his father in the marketplace when a beggar came asking for alms. Francis abandoned his wares and ran after the poor man giving him everything he had in his pockets. His father was troubled and angry at the exchange. His friends also began noticing a change in Francis and jokingly asked if he was “thinking of marrying” to which he responded “Yes, a fairer bride than any of you have ever seen,” meaning his “Lady Poverty.”

On a pilgrimage to Rome in 1205, he joined the poor in begging at the doors of churches. He had a vision of Christ saying to him, “Francis, Francis, go and repair My house which, as you can see, is falling into ruins.” He took this to mean the church in which he was presently praying and sold some cloth from his father’s store to assist the priest there. His father, angered once more, tried changing his mind—first through threats, then beatings. After this exchange, Francis renounced his father and embraced, even more, the life of a penitent.

He attracted a following of sympathetic Christians in the area of Assisi. On or around September 14, 1224, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, he had a vision and received a phenomenon known as the “stigmata,” the “wounds of Christ.” This and a problem with his eye led him to seek medical assistance, eventually returning to a small chapel in Assisi known as the Porziuncola, where he spent the remainder of his days.

Throughout his life Saint Francis appreciated the importance of church music and encouraged singing in his monastery. He wrote more than 60 hymns for this purpose. The beautiful expressions of praise in “All Creatures of Our God and King” have endured throughout the centuries.

St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. Although never ordained to the Catholic priesthood, he is one of the most revered religious figures in history.

To this day, St. Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment. He is also known for his love of the Eucharist, his sorrow during the Stations of the Cross, and for creating the Christmas crèche or Nativity Scene. Legends about him abound and various stories, prayers, and visions are attributed to him.

In Francis’ last days, he became virtually blind and unable to endure daylight. The first woman to follow his call, Sister Clara, built him a small reed hut in the garden of her convent where he could live out the rest of his days. He began to dictate his spiritual testament there. It is said that Francis could be heard preaching to the birds, urging them to praise God. Those who walked by could also hear faint melodies coming from within the hut. It was at a meal with the sisters that he wrote the text “Canticle of the Sun” or “Song of All Creatures,” later paraphrased into the beloved hymn that we sing today. He died on the evening of October 3, 1226, while singing Psalm 142.

Verse One
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!”

Psalm 148:3
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars.”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the entire Bible: The sun praises the Lord, the Creator of it, by doing the work constantly it is appointed to do; to rule by day, and give light and heat to the earth, and the inhabitants of it; and so is the cause of man's praising the Lord for the benefits they receive from it; for its enlightening, warming, and refreshing rays; and for the precious fruits brought forth by it and so the moon likewise doing its office, ruling by night, and reflecting the light of the sun upon the earth, and producing precious fruits, also praises its Maker, and is the occasion, of others praising Him.

Verse Two
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heav’n along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Psalm 104:3
And lays the beams of His upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds His chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.”

Enduringword.com: The God of all creation can build and do what no one else can. He does not share the limitations of the creation; He makes the clouds His chariot and He walks on the wings of the wind . . . The picture described is full of activity and excitement. “The metaphor of His taking up its parts and powers as His robe, tent, palace and chariot invites us to see the world as something He delights in, which is charged with His energy and alive with His presence.” (Kidner) . . . “The Lord is surrounded by His servants, whether they be created like the angels or be powers inherent in His created order (winds, lightning). The Creator-King is, as it were, driving His chariot, symbolic of His governance of His creation.” (VanGemeren)

Verse Three
Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

Psalm 104:4
He makes winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Fire is employed by Him - in lightnings - to accomplish His purpose as His ministers or His servants. They are entirely under His command. They are sent by Him to do His will; to carry out His designs. This is intended to describe the majesty and the power of God - that He can employ wind and lightning - tempest and storm - to go on errands such as He commands; to fulfill His plans; to do His bidding. For the application of this to the angels, and as employed by the apostle Paul to prove the inferiority of the angels to the Messiah.

Verse Four
And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Enduringword.com: “The experience of suffering was not taken away from the servant of God, but he was sustained, and so made strong enough to resist its pressure, and through it to make His service more perfect. This is how God ever sustains us in the bearing of burdens.” (Morgan) . . . “If I cast my burden upon the Lord, what business have I to carry it myself? How can I truthfully say that I have cast it upon Him if still I am burdened with it?” (Spurgeon)

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.”

Bibleref.com: [Peter} tells us to take all our anxieties, everything that worries us, and to give it to the God who cares so deeply for us. This is not a promise that God will fix everything which worries us. God is not obligated to follow whatever script we write for Him. It's a promise that the mighty God will receive our worries, and care about them. He will carry them for us. He is trustworthy to handle them in the way that is best.

Refrain
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Psalm 150
Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

Studylight.org, The Pulpit commentaries: Bishop Wordsworth notes that all kinds of faculty are engaged in the work of praise. The breath is employed in blowing the trumpet; the fingers are used in striking the strings of the psaltery and the harp; the whole hand is exerted in beating the timbrel; the feet move in the dance. The introduction of various musical instruments, as well as choirs of human voices, into the regular worship of the tabernacle and temple, is traceable to the time and probably to the personal influence of David. It is interesting, but only a matter of curiosity, to identify and describe the different instruments mentioned here. We need only see that they include all the musical instruments—wind, string, and clanging. The point to fix attention on is that, when a man wants to praise God, he may bring into his service every kind of power that he possesses, and every agency through which he can find expression for his power.

Praise happens as a result of being forgiven, or finding an incredible insight, being filled with the Holy Spirit, or just experiencing the joy of our salvation. We can’t just conger up praise and make it happen. But when we experience God’s faithfulness, we can’t stop praise from pouring forth. It is not a posture or a position. It is the result of God’s reality breaking through to our dull awareness and making us new again and again. it is removing the obstacles in our own communications with God so that He can be the loving Father he always is. It is gratitude for what God is in our lives this day.” Gloria Gaither, Lovesongtomylife.com, Unstoppable Praise

 

I am indebted to the following resources:
Dianaleaghmatthews.com
Anglicancompass.com, Keisha Valentina
Believersportal.com
En.wikipedia.org
Hymnologyarchive.com, Chris Fenner
Hymnary.org, John Julian

By His Grace


 


Thursday, April 10, 2025

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing


It is an unfortunate turn of events when a young boy is forced to grow up without a loving father. Thus was Robert Robinson’s fate, writer of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." His dad passed away when he was only eight years of age. Robinson was born in 1735, to Mary Wilkin and Michael Robinson, a customs officer, in Swaffham in the county of Norfolk, a market town and civil parish in the English countryside.

To make Robinson’s circumstances much more difficult, his maternal grandfather, Robert Wilkin, a wealthy man, who had never reconciled himself to his daughter’s lowly marriage, disinherited his grandson and provided an inheritance for him of only ten shillings and sixpence.

In 18th century England, there was little in the way of a social welfare system, and this meant that he had to go to work while very young. Robinson’s uncle, a farmer, had sponsored Robinson’s attendance at a school in Scarning, Norfolk, under Rev. Joseph Brett. When he was fourteen, Robinson was sent to London as apprentice to Joseph Anderson, a hairdresser.

However, his knowledge was varied and extensive because he spent many hours in study. There was an adult-like quality deeply ingrained in him, and it allowed him to accept the responsibilities of adulthood, even as a teenager.

Without a father, though, to guide and steady him, Robert fell in with bad companions. At the age of seventeen he ran the streets of London in gangs, caring not for anything spiritual.

One day his gang of rowdies harassed a drunken gypsy. Pouring liquor into her, they demanded she tell their fortunes for free. Pointing her finger at Robert, she told him he would live to see his children and grandchildren. This struck a tender spot in his heart. “If I’m going to live to see my children and grandchildren,” he thought, “I’ll have to change my way of living. I can’t keep on like I’m going now.”

A few nights later, Robinson, half serious and half in fun, decided to go to a tent meeting to hear the Methodist preacher, George Whitefield. He suggested that the boys go with him and heckle the gathering. “Let’s go laugh at the deluded Methodists” was his invitation to his gang.

Whitefield preached on the text: “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7. Robert left in dread, under a deep sense that George Whitefield was preaching to him alone.

Apparently, that was the planting of the seeds that would change his life. Another three years would pass before he accepted Christ into his heart, on December 10. 1755. Robinson found what he described as “full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” The transformation was profound. The once-rowdy youth now burned with a desire to know and serve God. He traveled across England, soaking in the words of the finest gospel preachers of his day.

It was in this period of spiritual fervor, at the young age of 22, that Robinson penned the words that would touch hearts for centuries to come.

After accepting Christ, Robinson felt the call and entered the ministry, teaching himself. He served Calvinist Methodist Chapel, Norfolk, England and a Baptist church in Cambridge, England. He wrote various hymns and theological books during his career.

Robert’s spiritual path took many turns. He moved between denominations, serving as a Methodist preacher, then working with Independents, before settling for nearly thirty years as a Baptist pastor.

At one time His faith wavered, and he grappled with periods of instability and doubt. A story is told that Robinson wandered away from God. "In a spiritually backslidden condition, Robert was traveling in a stagecoach one day. His only companion was a young woman unknown to him. In the providence of God, and not realizing who it was she spoke with, the woman quoted 'Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,' saying what an encouragement it had been to her.

"Try as he might, Robinson could not get her to change the subject. She asked him what he thought of the hymn she was humming. He responded, 'Madam, I am the poor, unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.' Gently, she replied, 'Sir, the ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing.' He was deeply touched by that. As a result of the encounter he repented. His fellowship with the Lord was restored through the ministry of his own hymn, and a Christian’s willing witness."

Whether or not that stagecoach encounter truly happened, it encapsulates the enduring power of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The hymn speaks to the universal Christian experience of joy in salvation, coupled with the ongoing struggle against our sinful nature.

Robert Robinson’s life – from wayward youth to celebrated preacher, from devoted believer to doubtful wanderer – is a reminder of the very truths he penned. His words continue to resound in churches around the world, a reminder that no matter how far we stray, the Fount of every blessing calls us back.

Verse One
Come, Thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount-I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

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.

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible:  Heaven is represented as a magnificent city where God and angels dwelt; and the Christian revelation discloses this to Christians as certainly their final home. They should regard themselves already as dwellers in that city, and live and act as if they saw its splendor and partook of its joy . . . It is true that Christians have not yet seen that city by the physical eye, but they look to it with the eye of faith. It is revealed to them; they are permitted by anticipation to contemplate its glories, and to feel that it is to be their eternal home. They are permitted to live and act as if they saw the glorious God whose dwelling is there and were already surrounded by the angels and the redeemed. The apostle does not represent them as if they were expecting that it would be visibly set up on the earth, but as being now actually dwellers in that city, and bound to live and act as if they were amidst its splendors.

Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The well-spring of wisdom in the heart of a believer, continually supplies words of wisdom . . . The Divine power, made known in and through our Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who relies on the Lord.

Verse Two
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
1 Samuel 7:12
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: And Samuel took a stone, and set it, not for worship, but as a monument of the victory obtained by the help of God: and this he placed between Mizpeh and Shen; which latter signifies a tooth, and designs the precipice of a rock which juts out, and hangs over in the form of one: and called the name of it Ebenezer; which signifies "the stone of help"; and is the same place which by anticipation has this name, so that in the selfsame place where the Israelites were twice beaten by the Philistines, and the ark taken, was this salvation wrought for them.

Verse Three
O to grace how great a debtor,
Daily I’m constrained to be.
Let Thy goodness like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it.
Proverbs 3:3
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Solomon wisely told his son to keep God’s loyal love and truth close. They should be so close that it would be as if they were a necklace on him at all times (bind them around your neck) and written on the tablet of your heart . . . “Striking expressions for glorying in, meditating on and acting by these principles.” (Kidner) “By ‘binding’ and ‘writing’ the teacher is stressing that the teachings become a part of the disciple’s nature.” (Ross)

  

I am indebted to the following resources:
Dianaleaghmatthew.com
Cocdiscipleship.org
Hymncharts.com, Don Chapman
Enjoyingthejourney.org, Micah Hendry
En.wikipedia.org

By His Grace . . .

 




Thursday, April 3, 2025

Sweet Hour of Prayer

 

This hymn goes to the heart of one of the most intrinsic Christian practices: prayer. Prayer is an intensely private affair where one seeks refuge from temptations and trials and pours out the depths of one’s soul before God who already knows our “wants and wishes.” Prayer lifts worship and praise to our God and our heartfelt devotion to Him.

The writer of this hymn is unknown for certain. There were two men with the name of William W. Walford in England. The first gentleman, from Coleshill, was an obscure and blind lay preacher who owned a small trinket shop. The second gentleman, from Homerton, was a Congregational minister who served as president of Homerton Academy and wrote several books including The Manner of Prayer. Coleshill and Homerton are two hours apart. They may be one and the same.

Thomas Salmon, a native of New York, spent time in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England.  While visiting there he became acquainted with Walford, and recalled the following:

During my residence at Coleshill, I became acquainted with W. W. Walford, the blind preacher, a man of obscure birth and connections and no education, but of strong mind and most retentive memory. In the pulpit he never failed to select a lesson well adapted to his subject, giving chapter and verse with unerring precision and scarcely ever misplacing a word in his repetition of the Psalms, every part of the New Testament, the prophecies, and some of the histories, so as to have the reputation of knowing the whole Bible by heart. He actually sat in the chimney corner, employing his mind in composing a sermon or two for Sabbath delivery, and his hands in cutting, shaping and polishing bones for shoehorns and other little useful implements. At intervals he attempted poetry. On one occasion, paying him a visit, he repeated two or three pieces which he had composed, and having no friend at home to commit them to paper, he had laid them up in the storehouse within. ‘How will this do?’ asked he, as he repeated the following lines, with a complacent smile touched with some light lines of fear lest he subject himself to criticism. I rapidly copied the lines with my pencil, as he uttered them.

Three years later, Salmon returned to the United States.  He showed it to the editor at the New York Observer.  The lyrics of the poem were published.

The text appeared in the 1859 Baptist hymnal Church Melodies, edited by Thomas Hastings and Robert Turnbull. The famous American gospel song writer, William Bradbury (1816-1868)—who composed music for so many beloved gospel hymns such as “Just As I Am”, “The Solid Rock” and “He Leadeth Me” —also wrote the music for this favorite hymn in 1861.

Rev. Salmon died in 1854 and more than likely Walford never knew his poem was even published, much less would become a beloved hymn. Walford seemed to see with his heart.  God used his simple words to become a great hymn that would minister to millions

Regardless of the identity of the author of this text, we must conclude that “Sweet Hour of Prayer” has been greatly used of God for many years to challenge believers with this basis truth—whenever we spend time in communion with God, it becomes a sweet and meaningful hour in our lives.

Verse One
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne,
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer!”

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: This was the apostle's general advice to all; without this, neither wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, nor masters, could fulfil the duties which God, in their respective stations, required of them. All might, power, and life come from God; His creatures are continually dependent upon Him. 

Enduringword.com: Paul supported the Colossian church through his prayers for them. Their life and ministry would continue to prosper through continued vigilance in prayer, including prayer on their part. The ancient Greek word translated continue is “Built on a root meaning ‘to be strong,’” it always connotes earnest adherence to a person or thing. In this passage it implies persistence and fervor.” (Vaughan)

Verse Two
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn,
With strong desires for Thy return!
With such I hasten to the place,
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer!”

James 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Biblehub.com Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: Consider him that waits for a crop of corn; and will not you wait for a crown of glory? If you should be called to wait longer than the husbandman, is not there something more worth waiting for? In every sense the coming of the Lord drew nigh, and all His people's losses, hardships, and sufferings, would be repaid. Men count time long, because they measure it by their own lives; but all time is as nothing to God; it is as a moment . . . Let us serve our God, and bear our trials, as those who believe that the end will crown all. Our eternal happiness is safe if we trust to Him: all else is mere vanity, which soon will be done with forever.

Verse Three
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear,
To Him whose truth and faithfulness,
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for Thee, sweet hour of prayer!

1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: Faith in the Lord Jesus brings Him into the heart; and by His indwelling all His virtues are proved, and an excellence discovered beyond even that which His disciples beheld, when conversant with Him upon earth. In short, there is an equality between believers in the present time, and those who lived in the time of the incarnation; for Christ, to a believing soul, is the same today that He was yesterday and will be forever . . . Ye have unutterable happiness through believing; and ye have the fullest, clearest, strongest evidence of eternal glory.

Verse Four
“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I Thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise,
To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Enduringword.com: Paul was focused on one thing and would not let those things which are behind distract him from it. He pressed on for the prize. We often let those things which are behind distract us, whether they be good things or bad things. Looking at what is in the past often keeps us from what God has for us in the future . . . Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus: The prize is the upward call of God . . . “It is a high calling because it comes from above, from God; the conception of it has emanated from His heart. It is a high calling because it is worthy of God. It is a high calling because it is so much above the ideals of men . . . And then this is a high calling because it summons us to where Christ sits at the right hand of God.” (Meyer)

Walford finds prayer time valuable as he unleashes his problems and requests to God, finding comfort and relief after he finishes.  Walford proclaims that God calls us to seek and trust Him. He looks forward to the day Jesus comes back and meets Christ in the air, kissing this world goodbye and enjoying eternity with God.

W. W. Walford’s Sweet Hour of Prayer is the perfect example of prayer. It's beautiful poetic form expresses the benefits of prayer, that we can thrust our worries, fears, and requests onto God, receiving joy, comfort, and blessing.  He beckons us to follow God, trusting in His Word, and looks forward to the day that Jesus finally comes back to take us home, bringing Him glory.

It is, indeed, a sweet hour of prayer.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories
Dianaleaghmatthew.com
Umcdiscipleship.org, Dr. Hawn
Christianity.com
Vince Wright 

 By His Grace . . .

I Will Sing of My Redeemer

Three men, Philip Bliss, James McGranahan and Major Daniel Whittle had a hand in this famous hymn, “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” Philip Bl...