Sunday' Hymn

This morning we sang the Doxology, which is really the last verse of a hymn by Thomas Ken.

Awake, My Soul, and With the Sun

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

—-Thomas Ken

Here’s a very nice guitar version of the Doxology:

Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:

• Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners at Hiraeth
• Ye Holy Angels Bright at Field Stone Cottage
• Lord’s Day 40, 2008 at The Thirsty Theologian
• Comfort, Comfort Ye My People at joythruChrist 
• O Thou Whose Gracious Presence Shone at Conjubilant with Song
• Not All the Blood of Beasts at Whatever Things…
• Am I a Soldier of the Cross at The Happy Wonderer
• O Lord by Thee Delivered at Practicing Theology 

Have you posted a hymn today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.

He Has Not Hidden His Face

Ryan Ferguson recites Psalm 22.

It's the Gospel

The Apostles Preaching the Gospel by Gustav DoreAs Heidi guessed, the theme at Rebecca Writes for the month of October is the gospel. Yep, I’m declaring this whole month a celebration of the good news.

Twice a week, at least, I’ll post something about the gospel, which, in a nutshell is the good news that Jesus Christ died for our sin and was raised from the dead, so that trough faith, we are united with Christ and receive every blessing merited by his work.

As always, you are invited to participate with me. On Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the month, I’ll collect and post links to gospel related posts. 

Still not sure exactly what the gospel is? Here are a few previous posts that might help you.

• Gospel List 1
• Gospel List 2
• Gospel List 3
• What is the Gospel? from D. A. Carson
• Proclaiming the Gospel
  

Post a quote, verse, poem, story, book review, or essay on a subject connected in some way to the gospel, send me an email with your link, and I’ll link back to your post (or posts) on the next Tuesday or Friday. There are no limits, really, on the form or  number of your post, just the subject.

That means I’ll post the first collection of gospel posts next Tuesday, October 7. But you don’t have to wait until Tuesday to post something in celebration of the best news ever!