I’m pretty sure I shared this one last year but it’s one of my favorite Lenten ones (or at least Lutherans sing it during Lent). I love the third and fourth line of the chorus: “Till my raptured soul shall find/Rest beyond the river.” It’s been a tough year health-wise for both Daniel and I, especially last week when we were dealing with his fever and the seizure. I’m sleep-deprived (like I’m ever not?) and I love the idea of my soul getting some rest.

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary??s mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o??er me.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross I??ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
(HT: Net Hymnal)

The YouTube video features the Joslin Grove Choral Society. I chose it because it wasn’t twangy which I know is a temptation with this one.

This was one of the hymns that was recommended on Oremus for the lectionary today. It’s fitting given that tomorrow, Lent Madness has Martin Luther going up against Martin Luther King because this is jokingly referred to as the “Lutheran fight song”. The words and music are by Martin Luther. This version is done by Chris Rice.

(I’d write more but my fingers and hands are hurting.)

This is one of my favorite hymns, especially as it deals with the things we need at various points of our day. It’s not quite putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) like “Be Thou My Vision” (the other well-known hymn to this tune) is but it’s beautiful.

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever child-like, no cares could destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labours, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord, at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.

This is an instrumental version but I’m using it because it’s absolutely beautiful.

This is another one of my go-to songs (well… in this case hymns) for those weeks that are really stressful.

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth??s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul??
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav??n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His??
How can I keep from singing?
(HT: Net Hymnal)

This is by far the best version I found of it on YouTube. I appreciate its simplicity.

I first sang this as an anthem in 1999 at the funeral of a choir member and then sang it again 4 years later. It’s beautiful though some would say dirge-like. It’s a re-telling of John 3:16-17a.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (KJV)

This is one that I remember being sung on September 10, 2001 which was the official first day of Fall Quarter at my seminary. The lines “grant us wisdom/grant us courage/for the living of these days” turned out to be prophetic with what happened the next day.

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church??s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.

Lo! the hosts of evil ??round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.

Cure Thy children??s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom??s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom??s goal.

Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces,
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.

Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.
(HT: Net Hymnal)

The tune is “Cwm Rhondda”– one of my favorite hymn tunes.

I know I’ve posted this song on ::Meditatio:: before in one of my Quick Takes but I wanted to share it again because I love it. It’s my go-to song when I need a reminder that God has my back on things in my life.

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Whom shall I fear

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind me

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in Your name
For You alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind me

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I’m holding on to Your promises

You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind me

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

The God of angel armies
is always by my side

Here’s the music: