Truth in Old Hymns

On rainy days like today (it could be worse; at least it's 55 degrees in January), I find myself really wanting to listen to hymns. I guess it restores my mind to thinking about the hope and beauty of the gospel. Over the last year or so, God has used the music and lyrics of hymns for encouragement and enjoyment in my life. With the exception of songs written directly from Scripture (see previous blog post), I have found hymns to be the most true to Biblical teaching of all worship songs. Now I love some of the modern worship (the Passion guys, Hillsong, Third Day, John Mark, etc.), but nothing has spoken more to my soul more than old hymns. It seems these hymn writers knew Jesus and the struggles that following Him brought and were able to better articulate it than most songwriters today.
I have become acquainted with many of these hymns by listening to the Indelible Grace albums. The name is drawn from a hymn called "A Debtor To Mercy Alone": My name from the palms of his hands eternity will not erase; impressed on His heart it remains in marks of indelible grace. These albums consist of (mostly) Nashville songwriters, who have recorded old hymns to modern music. For a while, I enjoyed these hymns somewhat secretly until recently, worshipping to them in my car. Now, at Impact, West End Community's young adult service on Tuesday nights, I have enjoyed singing these hymns communally. Jeremy Casella, one of the artists featured on the projects (and lover of Ireland), leads us. Most of these hymns are not well-known outside of Reformed United Fellowship circles. To listen or read lyrics, click here. Here are a few portions of songs I wish to share:

Stretch out Thine arm, victorious King, My reigning sins subdue; Drive the old dragon from his seat, With all his hellish crew. A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On thy kind arms I fall; Be thou my strength and righteousness, My Jesus, and my all. Oh, there's a voice of sov'reign grace, Sounds from the sacred Word: "O, ye despairing sinners come, And trust upon the Lord."

That's the third verse of "O Help My Unbelief", performed on Indelible Grace V by (Normal, IL native) Andrew Osenga. I love it because it first emphasizes God's power, then our dependence on it, then concludes with a call to the gospel.

Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart, which wonders to feel its own hardness depart; Dissolved by thy goodness, I fall to the ground, And weep to the praise of the mercy I've found. Great Father of mercies, thy goodness I own in the covenant love of thy crucified Son; All praise to the Spirit whose whisper divine, Seals mercy and pardon and righteousness mine!

From "Thy Mercy, My God" sung by Sandra McCracken. I still get choked up sometimes when I sing that, even though I've probably sung it 100 times.

My God, my Father, blissful name, Oh may I call Thee mine? May I with sweet assurance claim a portion so divine? This only can my fears control and bid my sorrows fly; What harm can ever reach my soul beneath my Father’s eye?

Whate’er Thy providence denies I calmly would resign, For Thou art just, and good, and wise, O bend my will to Thine. Whate’er Thy sacred will ordains, O give me strength to bear; And let me know my Father reigns, and trust His tender care.

That is one of my new favorites, as it is on the acoustic album that just came out a few months ago. I went to the release party and was priveleged to talk with Justin Smith, who performed this one, "My God, My Father Blissful Name".