"....speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...." (Ephesians 5;19)
The phrase, "making melody," literally means, "I sing psalms." Singing is a lost art in prayer. There is a modern phrase, "Harp and Bowl," as though they were different. I don't think they are.
"Gracious Spirit, love divine
Let thy light within me shine;
All my guilty fears remove,
Fill me full of heaven and love.
2. Speak thy pardoning grace to me,
Set the burdened sinner free;
Lead me to the Lamb of God,
Wash me in his precious blood.
3. Life and peace to me impart!
Seal salvation on my heart;
Breathe thyself into my breast,
Earnest of immortal rest.
4. Let me never from thee stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Fill my soul with joy divine,
Keep me, Lord, forever thine." (John Stocker, 1776)
What an absolutely great singing prayer. It really does not matter what era in history one is found. Words and phrasing may vary, but the love of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit does not change. The song quoted above is from a work I have on my Kindle a work entitled:
The phrase, "making melody," literally means, "I sing psalms." Singing is a lost art in prayer. There is a modern phrase, "Harp and Bowl," as though they were different. I don't think they are.
"Gracious Spirit, love divine
Let thy light within me shine;
All my guilty fears remove,
Fill me full of heaven and love.
2. Speak thy pardoning grace to me,
Set the burdened sinner free;
Lead me to the Lamb of God,
Wash me in his precious blood.
3. Life and peace to me impart!
Seal salvation on my heart;
Breathe thyself into my breast,
Earnest of immortal rest.
4. Let me never from thee stray,
Keep me in the narrow way;
Fill my soul with joy divine,
Keep me, Lord, forever thine." (John Stocker, 1776)
What an absolutely great singing prayer. It really does not matter what era in history one is found. Words and phrasing may vary, but the love of Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit does not change. The song quoted above is from a work I have on my Kindle a work entitled:
The Otterbein Hymnal
For Use In
Public and Social Worship
Prepared by
Edmund S. Lorenz.
Dayton, Ohio:
United Brethren Publishing House,
1892 (original copyright, 1886)
Followers of Jesus in every generation have expressed their love for God in so many ways. Reading the songs in this song book have been enriching. And it never ceases to amaze me that some of the great songs of the Church, even ones just written in the last 30 years, are no longer sung in most settings, e.g., "Exalt the Lord our God, Exalt the Lord our God, Worship at His footstool, Worship at His footstool, Holy is He, Holy is He." Glorious.
People have been writing expressions of worship, intercession, prayers and supplications, testimonies ever since the one Genesis describes as, "Jubal. He was the father of those who play the harp and flute." Perhaps there is a song in your heart today. It may never be published. It may never be sung by anyone but you. I'm sure there are many such songs in the air, songs of worship, gratitude and love to our Living Triune God.
Sing on today, my friend. Maybe you will never be asked to sing a solo for people, but you can always sing "a solo" to the Blessed Trinity. As our text commands, "I sing psalms." That's right; make up melodies, but just sing. There is an old song entitled, "With a Song in My Heart." I know you have a song in your heart.
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be ever, "singing and making melody to [You]." Amen.
For Use In
Public and Social Worship
Prepared by
Edmund S. Lorenz.
Dayton, Ohio:
United Brethren Publishing House,
1892 (original copyright, 1886)
Followers of Jesus in every generation have expressed their love for God in so many ways. Reading the songs in this song book have been enriching. And it never ceases to amaze me that some of the great songs of the Church, even ones just written in the last 30 years, are no longer sung in most settings, e.g., "Exalt the Lord our God, Exalt the Lord our God, Worship at His footstool, Worship at His footstool, Holy is He, Holy is He." Glorious.
People have been writing expressions of worship, intercession, prayers and supplications, testimonies ever since the one Genesis describes as, "Jubal. He was the father of those who play the harp and flute." Perhaps there is a song in your heart today. It may never be published. It may never be sung by anyone but you. I'm sure there are many such songs in the air, songs of worship, gratitude and love to our Living Triune God.
Sing on today, my friend. Maybe you will never be asked to sing a solo for people, but you can always sing "a solo" to the Blessed Trinity. As our text commands, "I sing psalms." That's right; make up melodies, but just sing. There is an old song entitled, "With a Song in My Heart." I know you have a song in your heart.
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to be ever, "singing and making melody to [You]." Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
