Category Archives: Sabbath Rest

Sabbath Rest – Be Thou My Vision

When St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday, it only seems right to find an Irish hymn to share today. And what better hymn to share than Be Thou My Vision, performed by Kristen Getty – with a definite Irish flair!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

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

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight
Be Thou my Armor, and be Thou my Light
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tow’r
Raise Thou me heav’nward, O Pow’r of my pow’r

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Traditional Irish Hymn; Arranged by Keith Getty, Ben Shive and Fionán de Barra © ARR © 2021 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Fionán de Barra (BMI) / Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP) / Junkbox Music (ASCAP) / adm at MusicServices.org

Sabbath Rest – Before the Throne of God Above

How thankful I am that when I come before the throne of the Almighty God I will not be relying on my own merits – for they are but rubble! Ah, but I have a great High Priest who pleads for me!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

VERSE 2
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

VERSE 3

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God

Sabbath Rest – I love to tell the story

It was just a week ago that I was privileged to attend the funeral service for my dear friend, Connie Breyer.  The service was filled with scripture and hymns and tears and most of all, love. Both of her daughters shared many wonderful stories about their precious mother, all of them grounded in her deep love for them but overarched by her steadfast love for her Savior, Jesus.  One of their most cherished memories was how she would sing them this hymn before bed each night.  I found this version of just a single voice singing this hymn, and while I’m pretty sure Connie didn’t sing all six verses, I can certainly imagine her tucking in her girls to the sweet refrain –

I love to tell the story;

’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

Connie, you will be forever missed. But as your daughter shared – “Losing you was the worst day in my life.  But it was the BEST day of yours!” We can only imagine what a day that was for you!

 

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]

An angel brought glad tidings:
“Send all your fears away,
for Christ, your Lord and Savior,
is born for you this day.”
Then many other angels
sang praise for Jesus’ birth:
“To God on high be glory,
and peace to all the earth.” [Refrain]

Christ Jesus, pure and holy,
without a spot or stain,
by wicked hands was taken,
was crucified and slain!
And now the word is finished,
the sinner’s debt is paid,
because on Christ the Righteous
the sin of all was laid. [Refrain]

O wonderful redemption!
The price for sin is paid,
salvation is accomplished,
my heart is unafraid,
for God has raised Christ Jesus
to show the work was done;
his glorious resurrection
declared the vict’ry won! [Refrain]

The Savior of all people
has brought his peace to you;
now go and tell the story,
for others need it too.
To ev’ry land and nation
ring out the gospel call;
proclaim that Christ is risen
and grants his peace to all. [Refrain]

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #746

Sabbath Rest – Precious Love

Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, I just put in my earbuds, and listen to my favorite Pandora station of modern hymns and worship songs. Ah, sweet bliss! I had never heard this one before – maybe it’s new for you too? – but I found great truth in the lyrics.

There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me

There is forgiveness flowing down
From where the savior died
The son of man upon the tree
Exchanging death for life
See Him there in innocence
The body and the blood
Behold the King, crucified
Spotless lamb of God

Oh the precious love of Jesus
Oh the fount of grace divine
Flowing as a mighty river
Washing sinners in its tide
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me

Sin and death crushed underneath
The weight of nailed pierced hands
He plundered hell and tore the veil
As creation held its breath
Then on the morning of the third
The Son began to rise
Up from the grave, victorious
Hallelujah, He’s alive

Oh the precious love of Jesus
Oh the fount of grace divine
Flowing as a mighty river
Washing sinners in its tide
There will never be another
In whose name we are redeemed
Oh the precious love of Jesus
Pouring out for you and me

He is worthy
He is worthy
Worthy is the Lamb
Sing forever
Hallelujah
Worthy is the Lamb

Music video by Chris Tomlin performing Precious Love (Lyric Video). Sparrow Records; © 2022 Rivermusic Holdings, LP, under exclusive license to Capitol CMG, Inc.

Sabbath Rest – Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor

I love it when the hynms we sing in church reach deep into my heart. Oh, the security that we have in Christ – our sure and steady anchor!

Christ the sure and steady anchor
In the fury of the storm
When the winds of doubt blow through me
When my sails have all been torn
In the suffering, in the sorrow
When my sinking hopes are few
I will hold fast to the anchor
It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor
While the tempest rages on
When temptation claims the battle
And it seems the night has won
Deeper still then goes the anchor
Though I justly stand accused
I will hold fast to the anchor
It shall never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor
Through the ?oods of unbelief
Hopeless somehow, o my soul
Now, lift your eyes to Calvary
This my ballast of assurance
See His love forever proved
I will hold fast to the anchor
It will never be removed

Christ the sure and steady anchor
As we face the wave of death
When these trials give way to glory
As we draw our ?nal breath
We will cross that great horizon
Clouds behind and life secure
And the calm will be the better
For the storms that we endure

Christ the shore of our salvation
Ever faithful ever true
We will hold fast to the anchor
It will never be removed

Matt Boswell and Matt Papa
© 2014 Getty Music Publishing (BMI), Getty Music Songs LLC, Messenger Hymns and Love Your Enemies Publishing (admin. by MusicServices.org) CCLI #7045331