A Month in Prayer Praying the Hymns October 13
Chapin Ministers Invite you to pray
Chapin Ministers Invite you to pray
Songs of the Saints
Today’s hymns celebrate the Protestant Reformation and our Reformed Heritage.
Reformed people had a great influence on congregational singing.
Before the Reformation most singing in worship was the chanting of Scriptures by special musicians or clergy.
The Reformers restored the singing of the Psalms and encouraged the development of hymns by paraphrasing Scriptures.
Isaac Watts was quite controversial in his day. However, his hymns inspired people so much in worship that they soon gained wide acceptance.
Later the hymns of Charles Wesley would be controversial for moving beyond just paraphrasing Scriptures.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther
St. Olaf Choir
GLAD version modern
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk who began the Protestant Reformation on October 31, 1517 when he posted an invitation to debate church doctrine. Luther wrote this hymn sometime between 1527 and 1529 as a paraphrase of Psalm 46. This hymn is known as the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” It was sung at the funerals of both President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. It has even appeared within pop culture. The hymn is whistled by a prison guard in the Shawshank Redemption, and it is often used for the door chime of the Simpsons’ neighbor Ned Flanders.
*************Today’s hymns celebrate the Protestant Reformation and our Reformed Heritage.
Reformed people had a great influence on congregational singing.
Before the Reformation most singing in worship was the chanting of Scriptures by special musicians or clergy.
The Reformers restored the singing of the Psalms and encouraged the development of hymns by paraphrasing Scriptures.
Isaac Watts was quite controversial in his day. However, his hymns inspired people so much in worship that they soon gained wide acceptance.
Later the hymns of Charles Wesley would be controversial for moving beyond just paraphrasing Scriptures.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther
St. Olaf Choir
GLAD version modern
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German monk who began the Protestant Reformation on October 31, 1517 when he posted an invitation to debate church doctrine. Luther wrote this hymn sometime between 1527 and 1529 as a paraphrase of Psalm 46. This hymn is known as the “Battle Hymn of the Reformation.” It was sung at the funerals of both President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. It has even appeared within pop culture. The hymn is whistled by a prison guard in the Shawshank Redemption, and it is often used for the door chime of the Simpsons’ neighbor Ned Flanders.
I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
John Calvin
PCUSA version with slides
I greet Thee, who my sure Redeemer art,
My only trust and Savior of my heart,
Who pain didst undergo for my poor sake;
I pray Thee from our hearts all cares to take.
Thou art the King of mercy and of grace,
Reigning omnipotent in every place;
So come, O King, and our whole being sway;
Shine on us with the light of Thy pure day.
Thou art the life, by which alone we live,
And all our substance and our strength receive;
Sustain us by Thy faith and by Thy power,
And give us strength in every trying hour.
Thou hast the true and perfect gentleness,
No harshness hast Thou and no bitterness;
O grant to us the grace we find in Thee,
That we may dwell in perfect unity.
Our hope is in no other save in Thee;
Our faith is built upon Thy promise free;
Lord, give us peace, and make us calm and sure,
That in Thy strength we evermore endure.
I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art
John Calvin (1509-1563) This hymn expresses our Calvinist faith beautifully. It is usually attributed to John Calvin, the Father of Reformed tradition. Calvin’s theology forms the basis for what Presbyterians distinctly believe. Sadly, many modern scholars have cast doubt on Calvin writing this hymn, but even if he did not write it, the hymn reflects his faith and theology.
John Calvin (1509-1563) This hymn expresses our Calvinist faith beautifully. It is usually attributed to John Calvin, the Father of Reformed tradition. Calvin’s theology forms the basis for what Presbyterians distinctly believe. Sadly, many modern scholars have cast doubt on Calvin writing this hymn, but even if he did not write it, the hymn reflects his faith and theology.
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I Sing the Mighty Power of God
Isaac Watts
UCB Choir version
I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;
While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there.
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October 13 – Celebrating our Reformation and Our Reformed Heritage
I Sing the
Mighty Power of God
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is known as the “Father of English Hymnody” and is credited with over 600 hymns. He was a Non-Conformist or Puritan minister who was ordained in England at the age of 24. Unfortunately he suffered from poor health and had to leave the pastorate after just a few years. Watts had a great tenderness for children and in 1715 he wrote a book of songs especially for young people. “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” was included in this collection. Perhaps he was inspired to create songs for children by the little rhymes he created as a child. Once, he had to explain why his eyes were open during prayers. The child Watts responded, “A little mouse for want of stairs ran up a rope to say its prayers.”
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) is known as the “Father of English Hymnody” and is credited with over 600 hymns. He was a Non-Conformist or Puritan minister who was ordained in England at the age of 24. Unfortunately he suffered from poor health and had to leave the pastorate after just a few years. Watts had a great tenderness for children and in 1715 he wrote a book of songs especially for young people. “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” was included in this collection. Perhaps he was inspired to create songs for children by the little rhymes he created as a child. Once, he had to explain why his eyes were open during prayers. The child Watts responded, “A little mouse for want of stairs ran up a rope to say its prayers.”
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