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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)
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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