My Lord, What a Morning!

Spiritual Song / Hymn


A spiritual song I've loved through the years since my youthful years. Through this hymn of faith and hope, I face the the new year... "looking to my God's right hand, when the stars begin to fall".   

My Lord, What a Morning! 




THE 1790 CENSUS of the United States reported more than 750,000 blacks. The musical expressions of the majority of these blacks—those enslaved in the South—greatly influenced American religious and secular musical forms. Although some Christians attempted to use the Bible to justify the institution of slavery, the majority of African-Americans embraced Christianity. As a result, they created and performed songs, particularly the spiritual, that had a lasting influence on Christian worship.

Slaves held informal, possibly secret, prayer meetings. Sometimes they sang and prayed all night.  The spirituals sung in these meetings drew from hymns, the Bible, and African styles of singing. Most slaves could not read, so the spirituals helped to teach them the Bible.

The religious counterpart to the work song was the spiritual. The first reference to spirituals as a distinctive genre appeared early in the nineteenth century. Many scholars believe, however, that the spiritual originated in the late eighteenth century. It is not known precisely when the term spiritual began to be applied to black religious folksongs. Since the editors of Slave Songs of the United States (1867) did not define the term in their compilation, it must have been in common use by 1860.
Improvisation was crucial in the creation of a spiritual. The spiritual was most likely fashioned by combining verses from the Bible and hymns with portions of sermons and prayers given during the worship of the enslaved. Such religious expressions were embellished, and repetitive refrains were added.

The spiritual “My Lord, What a Morning!” for example, was essentially (re)created from the hymn “Behold the Awful Trumpet Sounds.” Here is the spiritual:

My Lord, what a morning, 

My Lord, what a morning, 

My Lord, what a morning 

When the stars begin to fall. 

You’ll hear the trumpet sound, 

To wake the nations underground, 

Looking to my God’s right hand, 

When the stars begin to fall.

Two stanzas from the original hymn, first published in Richard Allen’s 1801 hymnal, show where the slave composer received his inspiration:

Behold the awful trumpet sounds, 

The sleeping dead to raise, 

And calls the nations underground: 

O how the saints will praise! . . . 

The falling stars their orbits leave, 

The sun in darkness hide: 

The elements asunder cleave, 

The moon turn’d into blood! . . .

Video Credit:

My Lord, What a Morning, sung by Le Choeur d'Adultes de la Maîtrise Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris (Choir of Notre Dame Cathedral): "My Lord, what a morning!" (traditional, arr. H.T. Burleigh), sous la direction de Lionel Sow. Hommage musical pour les victimes des attentats du 11 septembre 2001 (Musical homage for the victims of September 11, 2001 victims.)



Resource:

The Spiritual. Written by Angela M.S. Nelson. ChristianHistoryInstitute.org. Accessed January 3, 2020.


(c) January 2020. Tel. Wayfarer Psalms. All rights reserved.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer

God's people in His place under His rule.





Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer 
William Williams (1717-1791)
translated with Peter Williams (1722-1796)
Tune CWM RHONDDA by John Hughes (1873-1932)

Guide me, O thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the living waters flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fear subside;
Death of death and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side;
Songs and praises, songs and praises,
I will ever give to thee.

Video Credit:

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. YouTube, uploaded by Ronald Ellis. Accessed January 1, 2018.

Note:  'Jehovah' and 'Redeemer' are used interchangeably by various hymnbooks. 


(c) 2018. Tel Asiado. Wayfarer Psalms.  All  rights reserved. 

In the Garden Hymn

" I come to the garden alone...  and he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own." 

In the Garden

Words & Music: C. Austin Miles (March 1912)

1.  I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The son of God discloses.

Refrain:

And he walks with me, and he talks with me,
And he tells me I am his own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

2.  He speaks, and the sound of his voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

3.  I’d stay in the garden with him
Though the night around me be falling,
But he bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

This hymn was sung in the 1984 mo­vie Plac­es in the Heart,  which won two Acad­e­my Awards.

For meditation, I heartily recommend this video:
In the Garden Hymn with Franz Schubert Impromptu, Op. 90. No. 3, performed by Priscilla Manion.

In 2017, I posted a version of "In the Garden" sung by the late Elvis Presley last . Unfortunately, the video is no longer available.  I'll try to find a replacement if I can find one. Tel /18 September 2021.) 

(c) November 5, 2012. Updated January 17, 2017. Tel. Wayfarer Psalms. All rights reserved.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

God's faithfulness is new every morning.

Even if it appears that we are alone, we are not. God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us; he promised that. One of my lifelong favourite hymns, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" says: "... Thou changest not thy compassion, they fail not. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me." 

And for a significant reason, I've revisited the hymn first thing this morning.

Sometimes in the midst of trials, lingering illness included, we feel so unloved, alone, hurt, unappreciated, and abandoned.  Or, for no reason we are depressed and can't even figure out why. We also feel letdown after some event's excitement only to find we have overspent excessively, perhaps blowing our budget the year through. Well, you are not alone.  But all those things will eventually pass as God shows his faithfulness.

Blessed Assurance Hymn

Famous hymn-writer Fanny Crosby reflects:  "My friend, Mrs. Jo­seph F. Knapp, com­posed a mel­o­dy and played it over to me two or three times on the pi­a­no. She then asked what it said. I re­plied, “Bles­sed as­sur­ance, Je­sus is mine!""

This hymn was sung in the 1985 Acad­e­my Award win­ning mo­vie, “Trip to Bount­i­ful.” 

Sweeter as the Years Go Hymn

Every time the hymn "Sweeter As The Years Go By" comes to mind, I remember the family and relatives of my childhood friend, Sharon.  Her family, together with her uncles and aunts, used to sing this in church during their family re-consecration.  I wish I know where she is now, and pray that life is as sweet as before... Jesus' love is sweeter.

Sweeter As The Years Go By
Words & Music: Leila N. Morris, 1912

1.  Of Jesus’ love that sought me, when I was lost in sin;
Of wondrous grace that brought me back to His fold again;
Of heights and depths of mercy, far deeper than the sea,
And higher than the heavens, my theme shall ever be.

Thine Be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son

HAPPY EASTER!  JESUS IS RISEN!  
To God be the Glory, All things He has done! 

Hymn:
Thine Be the Glory, Risen, Conquering Son

This is one piece of music by Handel (aside from the lyrics of Budry) well-loved by Christians and sung on Sunday services. Next to Handel's Messiah, this is an all-time favourite hymn.

Words: Ed­mond L. Bu­dry, Richard B. Hoyle translated it from French to Eng­lish, 1923.

Music: Ju­das Mac­ca­bae­us,  George F. Handel 

Thine is the glory, risen, conqu’ring Son;
Endless is the victory, Thou o’er death hast won;
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave clothes where Thy body lay.

We Thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend

We thank Thee, Jesus, Dearest Friend

Words: Un­known au­thor, 1607, cen­to (Wir dank­en dir, Herr Je­su Christ); trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Matthias Loy, 1880, alt.

Music: Er­schien­en Ist, Nikolaus Hermann, Die Son­tags Euan­gel­ia, 1560

We thank Thee, Jesus, dearest Friend,
That Thou didst into Heav’n ascend.
O blessèd Savior, bid us live
And strength to soul and body give.
Hallelujah!  

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Reflection:

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. -- Psalm 34:18

Hymn for today:  Just A Closer Walk With Thee

(Author Unknown)

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, if you please,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me

"I'll never leave you nor forsake you."

Sometimes silence is the best thing to do. I woke up this morning with this sacred song "My Father watches over me" aptly on my mind as I paused for quiet meditation to feel his presence. "Quiet" includes switching off my favourite FM classical music radio station.

Feeling down? Alone? Everything seems wrong?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." ~ Prov 3: 5-6 NIV.

My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me(I Trust in God)

Words by Rev. W.C Martin Music by Charles H. Gabriel
© 1910 by Charles H. Gabriel, © renewed 1938 (extended), The Rodeheaver Co.

Refrain
I trust in God, I know He cares for me,
On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Tho' billows roll, He keeps my soul,
My heavn'ly Father watches over me.

1. I trust in God wherever I may be,
Upon the land or on the rolling sea,
For, come what may, from day to day,
My heav'nly Father watches over me.
Refrain.

Our Hope and God's Faithfulness

Hope Hymn - "O God, Our Help in Ages Past"

Our hope is built on nothing less than a foundation of God's faithfulness. Faith and a positive attitude will ease our efforts. I am aware that tomorrow is a question on hold, but God knows exactly how life will unfold.

There is this popular wise quote which says "Hope springs eternal," which reminds us that when everything else fails, there  is hope to hang on to.  When we are in the brink of a major life crisis, illness, separation from loved ones, bankruptcy, extreme loneliness, you get the picture... we will keep hanging on as long as we have hope within us.

Verse to reflect on:

Daniel 7:9
"As I looked, thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat."

The hymn close to my heart is Isaac Watt's "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," from Psalm 90,  and indeed for believers, our hope for years to come.

Here's the first stanza of the hymn, word by Isaac Watts, and music attributed to William Croft:

"O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!"

What flicker of hope can we keep burning within us today?

How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art Hymn

Southwest Rocks, Coffs Harbour
(c) Tel's Collection of Images

How Great Thou Art  has been a favourite hymn of many believers.

Words and Music by Carl G. Boberg and R.J. Hughes

1.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Be Thou My Vision

Notes on Hymn Be Thou My Vision

The hymn is at­trib­ut­ed to Dal­lan For­gaill, 8th Cen­tu­ry, trans­lat­ed from an­cient Ir­ish to Eng­lish by Ma­ry E. Byrne, in “Eriú,” Jour­nal of the School of Ir­ish Learn­ing, 1905, and versed by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912, alt.

Music: Slane. It is of Ir­ish folk or­i­gin.

Slane Hill is about ten miles from Ta­ra in Coun­ty Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Pat­rick de­fied a roy­al edict by light­ing can­dles on East­er Eve. High King Lo­gaire of Ta­ra had de­creed that no one could light a fire be­fore Lo­gaire be­gan the pa­gan spring fes­ti­val by light­ing a fire on Ta­ra Hill. Lo­gaire was so im­pressed by Pat­rick’s de­vo­tion that de­spite his de­fi­ance (or per­haps be­cause of it­), he let him con­tin­ue his mis­sion­ary work.



Be Thou My Vision lyrics

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Wonderful Grace of Jesus Hymn

Grace that take away my burden, greater than all our sin.

For Christian believers, we have to keep reminding ourselves that you and I will never really want ... for God's grace is sufficient for us. It's a simple message of comfort. When we feel troubled by life's burdensome challenges, He says, "why are you so disheartened? Don't fear, my Grace is sufficient for you."

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Words & Music: Haldor Lillenas, 1918.

1. Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

A Mighty Fortress is our God

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

~Psalm 46:1 NIV~

"A Mighty Fortress is our God" - the Battle Hymn of the Protestant Reformation

Words & Music: Mar­tin Lut­her, 1529; trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by Fred­er­ic H. Hedge, 1853. Tune title: Ein' Feste Burg.

This song has been called “the great­est hymn of the great­est man of the great­est per­i­od of Ger­man his­to­ry” and the “Bat­tle Hymn of the Ref­or­ma­tion.”

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Drawn by God - Jesus I Come

Today, reflection is from Oswald Chambers. He said that  we have all been created with the ability to reach out beyond our own grasps, but it is the almighty God who draws us, that our relationship to him is a personal one, and not an intellectual one. That we come into the relationship through God's miracle and through our own will to believe...

And from the reflection comes a personal plea:

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;  O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy."

~ Psalm 130:1-2  NIV ~

The hymn that comes to mind which I want to share  is "Jesus I Come", one of the popular sacred songs during Christian revivals in my youthful years. 



Jesus I Come 

Words: William T. Sleeper, in Gos­pel Hymns No. 5, 1887.

Music: George C. Stebbins

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessèd will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy throne,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.



Resource:

cyberhymnal.org

Blest Be the Tie that Binds

Hymn of Christian Relationship

"Blest Be the Tie that Binds" was written by John Fawcett, composed by Hans G. Naegeli, to the tune, "Dennis."

The sacred song, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" and “God Be with You Until We Meet Again" are most use­ful fare­well hymns especially among Christians.  The hymn was written by John Fawcett, 1740, composed by Hans G. Naegeli. It was arranged by Lowell Mason in 1845 to the tune name "Dennis."

Dr. John Faw­cett was the pas­tor of a small church at Wains­gate, who was called to work for a larg­er church in Lon­don in 1772. He ac­cept­ed the offer and preached his supposed last fare­well ser­mon. The wa­gons were load­ed with his books and fur­ni­ture, and all was rea­dy for the de­part­ure, when his pa­rish­ion­ers gath­ered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay.

Finally, his wife said, “Oh John, John, I can­not bear this.” “Neither can I,” ex­claimed the good pas­tor, “and we will not go. Un­load the wa­gons and put ev­ery­thing as it was be­fore.” His de­ci­sion was hailed with great joy by his peo­ple, and he wrote the words of this hymn in com­mem­o­ra­tion of the event. This song has become of of the most used farewell hymns to this day.



Video Credit:

Blest Be the tie That Binds. Youtube, uploaded by drolas94. Accessed January 2, 2012.

Come Thou Almighty King Hymn

"Come Thou Almighty King" Hymn

Words: Some sources show the au­thor as “anon­y­mous.” Others cre­dit Charles Wesley,  1757. The words ap­peared in George White­field’s Col­lect­ion of Hymns for So­cial Wor­ship, 1757.

Music: Ital­i­an Hymn, Felice de Giardini, in The Col­lect­ion of Psalm and Hymn Tunes Sung at the Cha­pel of the Lock Hos­pi­tal, 1769. De Gi­ar­di­ni wrote the music spe­ci­fic­al­ly for this hymn. Al­ter­nate tune:  Amer­i­ca, The­saur­us Mu­si­cus

Come Thou Almighty King 

Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy Name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!

Jesus, our Lord, arise,
Scatter our enemies, and make them fall;
Let Thine almighty aid our sure defense be made,
Souls on Thee be stayed; Lord, hear our call.

Come, Thou incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword, our prayer attend!
Come, and Thy people bless, and give Thy Word success,
Spirit of holiness, on us descend!

Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear in this glad hour.
Thou Who almighty art, now rule in every heart,
And ne’er from us depart, Spirit of power!

To Thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be, hence, evermore.
Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see,
And to eternity love and adore!

cyberhymnal

Higher Ground Hymn

Higher Ground Hymn a Source of Strength and Comfort

God gives us courage and strength, and paths impassable from our grasp, so we can move beyond the storm of life.  By his grace, and as we put our trust in him, we move on higher ground.

As believers, sometimes, with our promise of faith, trust and obedience, occasionally we walk out of the light. This happens when we feel abandoned, and we cry,  Why God? Where are you when I need you most? Haven’t I trusted you enough? 

Familiar woes and sighs? It’s almost as if God has forgotten us.  Let’s get our acts together.  He’ll make us strong and steadfast if we but hang on and persevere.

Faith in God requires us to believe things we can’t see. Despite the struggles, we are encouraged to press the upward way.  Why not, when we are precious to him and he loves us… and he blesses those who earnestly seek him.

The hymn:  Higher Ground

Words:  Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856-1922)
Music:  Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932)

1. I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
Lord plant my feet on Higher Ground.

Refrain:
Lord Lift me up and let me stand,
By faith on heaven’s tabled land;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

2. My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Tho some may dwell where these abound,
my pray'r, my aim, is higher ground.
(Refrain)

I've posted a bit about "Higher Ground" hymn sometime 2010. I've re-visited it with inclusion of video and some reflections. I've been singing it almost everyday, as a source of motivation to press on higher ground especially during most challenging hours, and, a prayer as a new day-dawn opens; may it be yours too, especially when you most need strength and comfort.

Higher Ground Hymn History

The hymn "Higher Ground" was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. and composed by Charles H. Gabriel. The Bible reference is Philippians 3:14, to press forward for God's call.

The hymn "Higher Ground" has a secure place in the American hymnology. The scripture reference is found in Philippians 3:14 of The Bible's New Testament: "I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus." (NIV) According to J. H. Hall, Biographies of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers, "Nothing can bring forth more shouts at a camp meeting of "Glory," "Hallelujah," than the singing of "Higher Ground."

Higher Ground Hymn Lyrics

Post Resources:

• Great Hymns of the Faith. Compiled and edited by John W. Peterson. Tennessee: Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, 1968.


• Holy Bible, New International Version, Hodder & Stoughton, UK, 2001.


• 101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, Michigan, 1985.

Video Credit:

Higher Ground Hymn Lyrics. YouTube, uploaded by isbaptist. Accessed, 4 Nov 2012.

My Faith Looks Up to Thee Hymn

Our Faith and Inner Spiritual Strength

"My Faith Looks up to Thee" is another best-loved amongst many hymns. Some of us grew up singing it with family and family-friends in our youthful years, and through the years as adults. And we still do.

I'd like to share this timely insight I found along some of my bookmarks. It's by Sam Ervin, and as always, I hold on to my collection of quotes and insights when words don't come in an easy way. He says that,