Teaching and Admonishing What We Learn From Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Colossians 3:16

Why Study Hymns? Making melody in our heart involves understanding what we sing (Eph. 5:16) Teaching and admonishing involves understanding what we sing (Col. 3:16) New converts / children may not understand the words and phrases of our hymns Songs, like Scripture (Acts 8:30), are more meaningful when we understand what we are reading

Why Study Hymns? We do not speak today in the Old English that was often used to compose hymns Understanding something about the composer of a hymn can illustrate the meaning of that hymn Bible words and phrases used in hymns must be understood

When Can We Study Hymns? Sermon in song A Wednesday night talk Around the Lord’s table Song leader can briefly explain words or phrases before each song Singing service Bible class setting Singing at home

Tools For Hymn Study To Study the English Words: a good Webster’s English dictionary (including etymology) To Study the Composer: good books on hymn origins –“Then Sings My Soul,” Robert J. Morgan –“A Song is Born,” Robert J. Taylor –“A Hymn Is Born,” Clint Bonner To Study Bible words and phrases: a good Bible concordance (Bible software for computer)

Five Areas of Hymn Study Songs with words defined Songs based on scriptures Songs with misapplied scriptures Songs with incorrect messages Songs that are misapplied

Songs with Words Defined He Leadeth Me (407) –“fraught” = filled –“bowers” = dwelling, retreat, shelter, arbor I Know Whom I Have Believed (237) –“vale” = valley, a low point Wonderful Love of Jesus (155) –“lays” = simple poem, balled, melody, song –“balm” = aromatic, soothing ointment

Songs with Words Defined Nearer, Still Nearer (125) –“haven” = harbor, port, place of safety –“pomp” = vain show, display We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes (396) –“bade” = past tense of “bid” (invite) –“succor” = relief, aid, help Beautiful Isle –“repining” = discontent, longing for something –“guerdon” = reward, recompense –“rifted” = cracked, separated, parted –“isle” = island

Songs Based on Scriptures On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand (Ex. 15; Rev. 15:3) Flee As A Bird to Your Mountain (Psa. 11:1) Ivory Palaces (Psa. 45:6-8) Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet (Isa. 1:18) Some Day The Silver Cord Will Break (Eccl. 12:1-6) We Have An Anchor (Heb. 6:18-19) In the Land of Fadeless Day (Rev. 21:16,21) Beulah Land (Isa. 65:1-5)

Songs with Misapplied Scriptures Prepare to Meet Thy God (based on Amos 4:12 referring to Israel sentenced to judgment, not getting prepared for judgment) Jesus Is Coming Soon (second verse misapplies Matthew 24)

Songs with Incorrect Messages Christ Receiveth the Sinful Men (“satisfied its last demand”) Rock of Ages (“Be of sin the double cure…”)

Songs That Are Misapplied Break Thou the Bread of Life (based on John 6, but often used for the Lord’s supper) Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (refers to our attitude of heart, not standing up)

What Will You Do With Jesus? Albert B. Simpson, Scottish, born 1843, his hymns were known for their complexity, composed 1897 Verse 1 “Pilate’s hall” – Mt. 27:2 “Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all” – Mt. 26:56 “Hearken” = give careful attention, listen carefully “What will you do with Jesus?” – Mt. 27:22 Verse 2 “false” … “faithful” … “good” … “ill” (bad, evil, harm)

What Will You Do With Jesus? Verse 3 “evade” = avoid, escape, get away “evade Him as Pilate did” – Mt. 27:24 “what e’er (ever) betide” = to happen “vainly” = useless, without success Verse 4 “like Peter, your Lord deny” = Mt. 27:69ff “scorn” = mock, disgrace, disdain, contempt “foes” = enemies “daring” = fearless, bold, courageous

What Will You Do With Jesus? Verse 5 “follow Thee all the way” – Lk. 9:57; Jn. 13:36-38 Chorus “neutral you cannot be” – Mt. 12:30; Mk. 9:40 “What will he do with me?” – Mt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12

After the Midnight James Rowe, England, born 1865, wrote more than 19,000 song texts, composed 1915 Verse 1 “midnight” = end of life’s journey “tempest” = violent storm “jeering” = to make fun of, mock, taunt, scoff Verse 2 “After the battle” – Eph. 6:10ff “weeping” – Rom. 12:15 “journey” = life’s journey “burdens” – Gal. 6:2,5

After the Midnight Verse 3 “all through the story” = life’s story “shadows … sunshine” = bad times and good times Chorus “shadows … sunshine” = life on earth, life in heaven “cling” = hold on to tightly (Josh. 22:5; 23;8) “All will be well” = when we go to heaven

A Wonderful Savior Fannie J. Crosby, born 1820, blind at age 6, lost a child, lived separated from her husband, wrote over 8,000 hymns, lived to be 95, memorized large portions of Scripture, composed this song in 1890 Verse 1 “A wonderful Savior” – Isa. 9:6

A Wonderful Savior Verse 2 “burden away” – burden of sin, daily burdens “shall not be moved” – Psa. 16:8; 21:7; 46:5; 62:6 “giveth me strength” – Eph. 6:10 Verse 3 “numberless blessings” – Eph. 1:3 “filled with His fulness divine” – Eph. 3:19; 4:13; Col. 2:9-10 “sing in my rapture” – carried away with joy, love, pleasure, excitment

A Wonderful Savior Verse 4 “clothed in his brightness” – Phil. 3:20-21 “clouds of the sky” – 1 Thess. 4:13-17 “millions on high” – Rev. 5:11-12 Chorus “cleft of the rock” = crack, crevice, split in the rock (Ex. 33:22), place of protection “dry, thirsty land” = life here on earth (Psa. 63:1; Isa. 32:2; 35:1; 41:18) “depths of His love” – Rom. 11:33; Eph. 3:18

A Mighty Fortress Martin Luther, a Protestant Reformer, Bible translator, revived congregational singing, composed this song in 1529, based on Psalm 46, at least 80 English versions exist Verse 1 (first line) “mighty fortress” = strong, fortifide place; fort “bulwark” = defensive wall or protection (earth, rock) Verse 1 (second line) “Our helper” – Heb. 13:6 (Psa. 118:6-7) “amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing” = in the middle of large amount of earthly evils overcoming

A Mighty Fortress Verse 1 “ancient foe” = old enemy (Satan, the Devil) “Doth” = does “woe” = sorrow, affliction, trouble, misery, hurt “craft and power” = cunning (Eph. 6:11; 2 Cor. 2:11) “armed with cruel hate” – Eph. 6:16 “On earth is not his equal” = man alone is no match for Satan

A Mighty Fortress Verse 2 (first line) “confide” = trust “striving” = struggle, fight against Satan Verse 2 (second line) “right One on our side” = Jesus (Psa. 124:1-2) “Dost ask” = “Do you ask?” “Lord Sabaoth” = Lord of Hosts (Rom. 9:29; Jas. 5:4) “age to age” = eternal (Mic. 5:2; Rev. 1:18; Heb. 13:8) “win the battle” – Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10

A Mighty Fortress Verse 3 (first line) “tho’” = though “threaten to undo us” = threaten to ruin us (destroy) Verse 3 (second line) “we will not fear” – 1 Pet. 3:14 “hath” = has “truth to triumph” = truth to win (2 Cor. 2:14) “goods and kindred” = possessions and family “mortal life” = life that must die “body they may kill” – Acts 7:59; 12:2; Rev. 2:13 “God’s truth abideth still” – 1 Pet. 1:25 “His kingdom is forever” – Dan. 2:44; Heb. 12:28