A New Year begins
tomorrow—fittingly, on a Sunday. What music is your church using to
begin the new year?
At my church, we are beginning the
service with “Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah, O My Soul”—based on
Psalm 146. As I was practicing this afternoon, I was contemplating the
beginning of the new year, and thinking how fitting this hymn is for
the occasion. The first verse begins with almost a New Year's
resolution:
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah,
O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises
Of my God through all my days.
Of all the resolutions we usually
make (getting in shape, taking more pictures, spending more time with
friends...), isn't this the most important? The rest of the hymn
reminds us of some of the reasons why God should be the object of our
praise:
Food He daily gives the hungry,
Sets the mourning prisoner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish,
Makes the sightless eyes to see,
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
And the stranger He befriends,
Helps the fatherless and widow,
Judgment on the wicked sends.
Sets the mourning prisoner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish,
Makes the sightless eyes to see,
Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
And the stranger He befriends,
Helps the fatherless and widow,
Judgment on the wicked sends.
Read the rest of the lyrics to this
hymn at: http://www.igracemusic.com/hymnbook/hymns/h01.html
What hymns or songs are you singing
to begin the year? I'd love to read your selections, and hear about
the reasons you chose them.
well, let's see....I do believe I will be gladly singing Hallelujah Praise Jehovah!! I do love that song!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. Our service this morning consisted of four songs: Days of Elijah; You are God Alone; Draw Me Close to You; and I am Thine O Lord. An interesting mix for the beginning of a new year, but worked well with the pastor's new sermon series.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours!