Now on to this morning's drive. As I was detouring through Jasper this morning, I began singing without the radio. I was singing one of my favorite hymns -- Nearer, Still Nearer (by Lelia N. Morris, 1898). I love this song for a couple of reasons:
- The words and music go hand in hand. This is not always the case with church songs. Some songs have great lyrics, but the music takes away from the message. Others have great musical themes, but the words are trite or sometimes archaic.
- The message of the song is a great, life-long desire; to be ever nearer to God and Christ. I long for the day when I am near to Christ in heaven and can walk and talk with Him face to face.
- Verses 2 and 3 of the song break my heart and humble my spirit.
Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus my King,
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.
As I wipe the tears from my eyes and bow my head in prayer asking to grow nearer to God, I ask you - What is your favorite church (worship) song?
Have a great day!
Scott
Naught as an off'ring to Jesus my King,
Only my sinful, now contrite heart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;
Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.
As I wipe the tears from my eyes and bow my head in prayer asking to grow nearer to God, I ask you - What is your favorite church (worship) song?
Have a great day!
Scott
9 comments:
I always knew we were kindred spirits.
"Nearer Still Nearer" is my favorite and you hit on it exactly: verse 3 is one of the greatest verses ever written!
Adam
I love "O, Sacred Head," especially in Spanish. The second verse in Spanish (there are four) says, "Cold death touches the One that brought us life." Gives me chills.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I had two post their favs on FaceBook:
Crystal wrote: It is Well with My Soul & Farther Along.
John wrote: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, O Sacred Head, & Poor Wayfaring Stranger.
Crystal -- It is Well comes in a close second for me.
Be Thou My Vision (Has an Irish/Celtic-type melody)
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, I , Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one
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 are
High King of heaven my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart whatever befall
Still be my vision O Ruler of all
Tim, I love the Spanish interpretation -- WOW!
Joey, I will be singing that song the rest of the day.
Angie posted on FaceBook - "Mine would be a tie between How Great Thou Art and The Old Rugged Cross"
Another FaceBook friend said, "So many...Be Thou My Vision, What A Friend We Have In Jesus, and Walking Alone at Eve cause I always think about Daddy leading this song."
Lisa on FB wrote,
"hmmm...I like both of Angies, but I also like Garden of Prayer and When All of God's Singer's Get Home...."
More responses from other social sites:
1. Don writes: Ha! You can't have that one. THAT one is mine!!! Heh! I fell in love with song while going to college. I sang in a male acapella quartet and we sang that one. I also have picked verses 2 and 3 as my favorites, and often weep when singing them. I've asked this to be sung at my funeral, which I hope isn't too soon. :-)
2. Ernie writes: I am partial to Wayfaring Stranger:
I am a poor, wayfaring Stranger while traveling through this world of woe.
Yet there's no sickness toil nor danger in the bright world to which I go.
I'm going there to see my Father. I'm going there no more to roam.
I'm only going over Jordan. I'm only going over home.
I know dark clouds will gather round me. I know my way is rough and steep.
But golden fields lie out before me, where God's redeemed shall ever be.
I'm going there to see the Spirit. I know he'll meet me when I come.
I'm only going over Jordan. I'm only going over home.
I'll soon be free of every trial, my body sleep in the graveyard.
I'll drop the cross of self-denial, and enter on my great reward.
I'm going there to see my Savior to sing his praise for ever more.
I'm only going over Jordan. I'm only going over...home.
---
It's an old spiritual in a minor key and I tend to like those. Others include: Follow Me, If That Isn't Love, Create In Me (older version), Jesus Thy Name I Love (last verse starts with "When Thou wilt come again..." instead of "Soon Thou wilt come again..."), Flee As A Bird, Have You Seen Jesus My Lord and pretty much any minor key song, hymn, or spiritual song so long as the words are sound teaching.
3. Eddie writes: Mine is 'Comatose' by Skillet
I hate feeling like this
I'm so tired of trying to fight this
I'm asleep and all I dream of
Is waking to You
Tell me that You will listen
You're touch is what i'm missing
And the more I hide I realize I'm slowly losing You
Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of You
I don't wanna live, I dont wanna breathe
'Les I feel you next to me
You take the pain I feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way You make me feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
I hate living without You
Dead wrong to ever doubt You
But my demons lay in waiting
Tempting me away
Oh how I adore You
Oh how I thirst for You
Oh how I need You
Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of You
I don't wanna live, I dont wanna breathe
'Les I feel You next to me
You take the pain I feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make me feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
Breathing life
Waking up
My eyes open up
Comatose
I'll never wake up without an overdose of You
I don't wanna live, I dont wanna breathe
'Les I feel You next to me
You take the pain I feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way You make me feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
Oh how I adore You
Waking up to You never felt so real
Oh how I thirst for You
Waking up to You never felt so real
Oh how I adore You
The way You make me feel
Waking up to You never felt so real
© 2006 Atlantic / Wea
4. Jerry writes: Hey Scott!!! How are you my friend? Do I have to pick just one? I like several but a few stand out for different reasons.
1. How Great Thou Art!! It was my grandfather's favorite. When the young men would lead songs at Liberty, he would always have me to lead this for him. I grew to appreciate it like he did.
2. What Will I Leave Behind? I really like the message. If we pay close attention to the words, it will make us very aware of our influence on those around us and those that will look to us as examples after we have left this Earth.
3. Where No One Stands Alone. We all are weak sometimes and need support and encouragement. That's what this song is all about. If we are a christian, no matter what happens in life, we will never have to face it alone. God will always be with us. It's a very encouraging song.
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