9.13.2004

Hymn o' the Day

Usually, I'm not all about hymns. Often when they are sung, I feel like they are being recited rotely and without understanding or feeling, just words being said that sound nice and grand, like the organ music they are being sung with.
However, Friday in chapel, the Taylor Ringers played this hymn. No one sang it, and I don't remember the tune, but I did write down the first verse, which was up on the projector screen and has stuck with me:

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart,
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love.


The last bit, "make me love Thee as I ought to love" really caught me. I wish I could love God and others as I ought to.
I googled these lines and found the rest of the hymn, which I like very much, although I don't know what it sounds like.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies:
But take the dimness of my soul above.

Hast Thou not bid us love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind!
I see Thy cross, there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh;
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame;
The baptism of the heaven descended Dove;
My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

1 comment:

ashley said...

I like hymns :-) The prayer of my heart has been, "Lord, make me want to want You". I think that's been my problem all my life, is that I feel like I have to seek God with my own strength, but in reality we just have to let go and let Him draw us nearer to Him. That hymn is a good prayer for when you're trying to do it on your own.

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