We Plow the Fields

In honor of spring planting time here in Iowa, here is an appropriate hymn. The lyrics were penned by Matthias Claudius (1740-1815), who heard the words sung by local farmers in Germany.

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We Plow the Fields

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Verse 1:

We plow the fields and scatter

The good seed on the land,

But it is fed and watered

By God's almightly hand.

He sends the snow in winter,

The warmth to swell the grain,

The breezes and the sunshine,

And soft, refreshing rain.

Verse 2:

He only is the Maker

Of all things near and far;

He paints the wayside flower,

He lights the evening star.

The winds and waves obey Him,

By Him the birds are fed;

Much more, to us his children,

He gives our daily bread.

Verse 3:

We thank Thee then, O Father,

For all things bright and good;

The seedtime and the harvest,

Our life, our health, our food.

Accept the gifts we offer

For all Thy love imparts,

And, what Thou most desirest,

Our humble, thankful hearts.

Refrain:

All good gifts around us

Are sent from heaven above;

Then thank the Lord,

O thank the Lord

For all His love.

AMEN

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/e/weplowtf.htm

Low in the Grave He Lay

Sunrise has come to this Easter! Here is my favorite Easter hymn from childhood.......I especially liked the refrain; it actually has a rising melody!

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"Low In The Grave He Lay"

Words and music written by Robert Lowry(1826-1899) in 1874.

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Verse 1:

Low in the grave He lay,

Jesus my Saviour!

Waiting the coming day,

Jesus my Lord!

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Verse 2:

Vainly they watch His bed,

Jesus my Saviour!

Vainly they seal the dead,

Jesus my Lord!

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Verse 3:

Death cannot keep his prey,

Jesus my Saviour!

He tore the bars away,

Jesus my Lord!

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Refrain:

Up from the grave He arose!

With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!

He arose a victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever

With His saints to reign!

He arose! He arose!

Hallelujah! Christ arose!

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/i/lintgrav.htm

Go To Dark Gethsemane

This painting of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane was often in my view when I was a kid. Whether it was in a Sunday School room at church, or at my grandma's house, I can't recall for sure. I only know that I stared at it often.

A quick internet search revealed that it was painted in 1890 by Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911), of Germany. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., bought three of Hofmann's paintings of Christ, including this one, and hung them in Riverside Church in Manhattan, New York City, where they still are.

It would have been tonight, all those centuries ago, when Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James and John, went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray after the Last Supper. The disciples, of course, dozed off, and they are included in the background of the painting, I think.

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"Go To Dark Gethsemane"

Words by James Montgomery (1771-1854)

Tune by Richard Redhead (1820-1901)

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Verse 1:

Go to dark Gethsemane,

All who feel the tempter's power;

Your Redeemer's conflict see,

Watch with Him one bitter hour;

Turn not from His griefs away;

Learn from Jesus Christ to pray.

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Verse 2:

Follow to the judgment hall,

View the Lord of life arraigned;

Oh, the wormwood and the gall!

Oh, the pangs His soul sustained!

Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;

Learn from Him to bear the cross.

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Verse 3:

Calvary's mournful mountain climb;

There, adoring at His feet,

Mark that miracle of time,

God's own sacrifice complete.

"It is finished!" hear Him cry;

Learn from Jesus Christ to die.

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Verse 4:

Early hasten to the tomb

Where they laid His breathless clay;

All is solitude and gloom.

Who has taken Him away?

Christ is risen! He meets our eys.

Saviour, teach us so to rise.

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/o/gotodark.htm