Summer Suns Are Glowing

Truly, I don't recall ever singing this summertime hymn, but it caught my eye today as I perused my old Baptist hymnal. The words were penned by William W. How, and published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in 1871. The tune is by Samuel Smith.

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"Summer Suns Are Glowing"

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Verse 1:

Summer suns are glowing, over land and sea;

Happy light is flowing, bountiful and free.

Everything rejoices in the mellow rays,

All earth's thousand voices swell the psalm of praise.

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Verse 2:

God's free mercy streameth, over all the world,

And His banner gleameth, everywhere unfurled.

Broad and deep and glorious as the heaven above,

Shines in might victorious, His eternal love.

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Verse 3:

Lord, upon our blindness Thy pure radiance pour;

For Thy lovingkindness make us love Thee more.

And when clouds are drifting dark across our sky,

Then, the veil uplifting, Father, be Thou nigh.

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Verse 4:

We will never doubt Thee, though Thou veil Thy light;

Life is dark without Thee, death with Thee is bright.

Light of light, shine o'er us on our pilgrim way,

Go Thou still before us, to the endless day.

AMEN

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/u/summersg.htm

Open My Eyes

As a young girl, I loved this simple little hymn. Not much doctrine or theology in it, but certainly the words describe the Christian mindset. Without question we should be open to God's wisdom and leading.....as He opens our eyes, ears, and hearts. This hymn was written in the late 1800's by Clara H. Scott.

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Open My Eyes, That I May See

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Verse 1:

Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp, and set me free.

Verse 2:

Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear

And while the wavenotes fall on my ear,

Everything false shall disappear.

Verse 3:

Open my mouth, and let me bear

Gladly the warm truth everywhere;

Open my heart, and let me prepare

Love with Thy children thus to share.

Refrain:

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready, my God, They will to see;

Open my eyes/ears/heart,

Illumine me, Spirit divine!

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/p/openeyes/htm.

Trust and Obey

Whew......I just returned from a walk out in the hot sun. This hymn came to mind for some reason, so here it is. We sang "Trust and Obey" very often in the Baptist church I grew up in. At first glance now, as a Lutheran, I would say, "No, sorry, not the sort of hymn to sing......bad doctrine....". But as I walked, I realized that Lutheranism definitely teaches to trust and obey. By "obey" they mean, be baptized, and then go to church regularly to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament. As we Lutherans do those things, we "trust" that God is working in us. That is the Lutheran way to "walk with the Lord" and "do His good will", as say the words of the first verse.

The words of this hymn were written in 1887 by John H. Sammis, in Massachusetts. Tune is by Daniel B. Towner.

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"Trust and Obey"

Verse 1:

When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

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Verse 2:

Not a shadow can rise,

Not a cloud in the skies,

But His smile quickly drives it away;

Not a doubt nor a fear,

Not a sigh nor a tear,

Can abide while we trust and obey.

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Verse 3:

But we never can prove

The delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows,

And the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

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Verse 4:

Then in fellowship sweet

We will sit at His feet,

Or we'll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do,

Where He sends we will go---

Never fear, only trust and obey.

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Refrain:

Trust and obey,

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/r/trstobey.htm

Entrust Your Days & Burdens......Just do it!!

Here's a great Lutheran hymn by Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676). Singing these words yesterday in church brought to mind my own encounters with depression and what I call "mind sprains"......injury to mind muscles due to anxiety and stress. Healing has come to me through stillness of mind, and quietly resting and trusting in God's providence. Also, a long walk outdoors every day is very beneficial, as moderate exercise of at least 45 minutes causes the brain to release the "feel-good" chemicals which keeps your mood elevated. I can attest to the truth of that.......I can often tell exactly the moment during my walks when those good chemicals are released!

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"Entrust Your Days and Burdens"
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Verse 1:

Entrust your days and burdens

To God's most loving hand;

He cares for you while ruling

The sky, the sea, the land.

He that in clouds and tempest

Finds breakthrough for the sun

Will find right pathways for you

Till travelling days are done.

Verse 2:

Rely on God your Savior

And find your life secure.

Make His work your foundation

That your work may endure.

No anxious thought, no worry,

No self-tormenting care

Can win your Father's favor;

His heart is moved by prayer.

Verse 3:

Take heart, have hope, my spirit,

And do not be afraid.

From any low depression,

Where agonies are made,

God's grace will lift you upward

On arms of saving might

Until the sun you hoped for

Delights yoru eager sight.

Verse 4:

Leave all to God's direction;

His wisdom rules for you

In ways to rouse your wonder

At all His love can do.

When His plans are maturing,

Then wonderworking powers

Will banish from your spirit

What gave you troubled hours.

Verse 5:

How blest you heir of heaven

To hear the song resound

Of thanks and jubilation

When you with life are crowned.

In your right hand your maker

Will place the victor's palm,

And for God's great deliverance

You'll sing the victory psalm.

Verse 6:

Lord, till we see the ending

Of all this life's distress,

Faith's hand, love's sinews strengthen,

With joy our spirits bless.

As yours, we have committed

Ourselves into your care

On ways make sure to bring us

To heaven to praise You there.

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This author of this hymn must have had personal experience with depression. His words in the third verse, "From any low depression, where agonies are made...", are very insightful.

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This hymn is not found in the Cyberhymnal list.

A Hymn for Pentecost

We sang this hymn last Sunday in church. The phrases "our blinded sight" and "much-soiled faces" caught my attention. This hymn comes from a very ancient source, the words having been written by Rhabanus Maurus in around 800 A.D. (Whoever he was??? I didn't have time to google him.) It was translated by John Cosin in the 1600's in his Collection of Private Devotions in the Practice of the Ancient Church. The words of this hymn are wonderful!

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Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire

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Verse 1:

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,

Ignite them with celestial fire;

Spirit of God, you have the art

Your gifts, the sevenfold, to impart.

Verse 2:

Your blest outpouring from above

Is comfort, life, and fire of love.

Illumine with perpetual light

The dullness of our blinded sight.

Verse 3:

Anoint and cheer our much-soiled face

With the abundance of your grace.

Keep far our foes; give peace at home;

Where you guide us, no ill can come.

Verse 4:

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

And you, of both, to be but One

That, as the ceaseless ages throng,

Your praise may be our endless song!

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/comeholy.htm