My Favorite Hymns

Click on the links (in blue) to hear the melody, then sing them to yourself and to Him!

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Victory

Abide With Me **

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; [Melody]
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

 

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

 

I need Thy presence every passing hour.

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

 

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

 

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

All the way my Savior leads me ***

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

 

All the way my Savior leads me
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread. (continued)

Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.
 

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

Amazing Grace **

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.

 

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought be safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.p>

 

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we'd first begun.

Beneath the cross of Jesus ***

Beneath the cross of Jesus

I fain would take my stand,

The shadow of a mighty rock

within a weary land;

A home within the wilderness,

a rest upon the way,

From the burning of the noontide heat,

and the burden of the day.

 

Upon that cross of Jesus

mine eye at times can see

The very dying form of One

Who suffered there for me; (continued)

 

And from my stricken heart with tears

two wonders I confess;

The wonders of redeeming love

and my unworthiness.

 

I take, O cross, thy shadow

for my abiding place;

I ask no other sunshine

than the sunshine of His face;

Content to let the world go by

to know no gain or loss,

My sinful self my only shame,

my glory all the cross.

Be Still My Soul **

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Blessed Assurance *

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,

I in my savior am happy and blest;

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Close to Thee ***

Thou my everlasting Portion,

more than friend or life to me,

All along my pilgrim journey, Savior,

let me walk with Thee.

 

Refrain

Close to Thee, close to Thee,

close to Thee, close to Thee....

Not for ease or worldly pleasure,

nor for fame my prayer shall be;

Gladly will I toil and suffer,

only let me walk with Thee.

 

Lead me through the vale of shadows,

bear me over life’s fitful sea;

Then the gate of life eternal

may I enter, Lord, with Thee.

Day by Day *

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best -
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

 

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power; (continued)

The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
"As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
This the pledge to me He made.

 

Help me then, in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Each Step I Take *

Each step I take my Saviour goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way,
And with each breath I whisper "I adore Thee;"
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day.

Refrain
Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken.
Each step I take just leads me closer home.

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,

O Thou of God and man the Son:

Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,

Thou my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness **

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;

As thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

 

Refrain to the right

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,

Morning by morning now mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endurest,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside!

How Great Thou Art  ***

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

 

Refrain

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin;

 

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God How Great Thou Art!

I'd Rather Have Jesus *

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,

I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand.

 

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway;

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.

 

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,

I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause,

I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame,

I'd rather be true to His holy Name.

In Heavenly Love Abiding *

In heavenly love abiding,

No change my heart shall fear.
And safe in such confiding,

For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,

My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,

And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,

No want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me,

And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waking,

His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He's taking,

And I will walk with Him

Jesus, I am Resting, Resting  **

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For my Thy transforming power

Thou hast made me whole.

 

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart ---

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

And surrounds me with its blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

 

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Testing 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth's dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father's glory,

Sunshine of my Father's face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Jesus, Keep me Near the Cross *

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.

Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but His loved ones know.

Loved with Everlasting Love **

Loved with everlasting love,

led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,

Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace!

O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,

I am His, and He is mine. (repeat the last 2 lines)

 

Things that once were wild alarms

Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,

Pillowed on the loving breast. (cont.)

O to lie forever here,

Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,

I am His, and He is mine.

 

His forever, only His;

Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss

Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,

Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be,

I am His, and He is mine.

My Jesus as Thou Wilt ***

My Jesus, as Thou wilt!

Oh, may Thy will be mine!
Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign;
Through sorrow, or through joy,

Conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say,

My Lord, Thy will be done!

 

My Jesus, as Thou wilt!

Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope

Grow dim or disappear...  (cont.)
 

Since Thou on earth hast wept,

And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee, my Lord,

Thy will be done!

 

My Jesus, as Thou wilt!

All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene

I gladly trust with Thee:
Straight to my home above I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death, my Lord,

Thy will be done!

Nearer My God to Thee **
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

 

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

O Love that Wilt not Let me Go  ***

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

 

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

Living for Jesus

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me

Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

The Old Rugged Cross *

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

 

Refrain:
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he'll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I'll share.

Precious Lord, Take my Hand

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear
Precious Lord linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Rock Of Ages *

Rock of Ages, cleft for me

let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,

from Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

 

Not the labor of my hands

can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,

could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;

helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;

wash me, Savior, or I die.

 

While I draw this fleeting breath,

when mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,

see Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in Thee.

So Send I You  *** History

So send I you by grace made strong to triumph

O’er hosts of hell, o’er darkness, death and sin,

My name to bear, and in that name to conquer-

So send I you, my victory to win.

 

So send I you to take to souls in bondage

the Word of Truth that sets the captives free,

to break the bonds of sin, to loose death’s fetters,

So send I you to bring the lost to me.

So send I you My strength  to know in weakness,

My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain,

To prove My power,  My Grace, My promised presence,

So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.

 

So send I you to bear My cross with patience,

and then one day with joy to lay it down,

to hear My voice, “Well done my faithful servant

Come share My throne, My kingdom and My crown!”

 

"As my Father has sent Me,  so send I you."

John 20:21

Earlier version of the above

So send I you to labor unrewarded

To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown,
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing-
So send I you to toil for Me alone.

So send I you to leave your life’s ambition,
To die to dear desire, self-will resign, ... (cont.)
 

To labor long, and love where men revile you-
So send I you to lose your life in Mine.

So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred,
To eyes made blind because they will not see,
To spend, tho’ it be blood, to spend and spare not-
So send I you to taste of Calvary.

Spirit of God *

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.

 

Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?
All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind...(cont.)
 

I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:
O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

 

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

 

This World Is not my Home  *

This world is not my home

I'm just a passin' through

My treasures are laid up

Somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home In this world any more.

O Lord, you know I have no friend like you,

If heaven's not my home,

Then Lord, what will I do?

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Thanks to God for my Redeemer

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!  
(cont.)
 

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There's light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

Over us sin no more hath dominion

For more than conquerors we are!

 

His word shall not fail you He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

Be Thou My Vision  **

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.


Be thou my wisdom, thou my true word,
I ever with thee and thou with me Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

 

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight;
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower:
Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.


Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
Thou mine inheritance now and always;
Thou and thou only first in my heart;
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.


High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O Bright Heaven's sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

What a Friend we have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus

all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry

everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry

everything to God in prayer.

 

Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;

take it to the Lord in prayer... (cont.)

Can we find a friend so faithful

Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;

take it to the Lord in prayer.

 

Are we weak and heavy laden,

cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,

take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you;

you will find a solace there.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus ***

There is never a day so dreary,
There is never a night so long,
But the soul that is trusting in Jesus
Will somewhere find a song.

Refrain

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus,
In the heart He implanteth a song:
A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,
In the heart He implanteth a song.

 

There is never a care or burden,
There is never a grief or loss,
But that Jesus in love will lighten
When carried to the cross.