Author Archives: admin

A Plea for Mercy and “Lord, Like the Publican I Stand” (#203)

One of the most precious attributes of God is that of His mercy.  The Hebrew and Greek words that are translated into English as “mercy” have the basic idea of kindness.  In fact, one of those words is usually translated … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on A Plea for Mercy and “Lord, Like the Publican I Stand” (#203)

Psalm 150 and “O Praise Ye the Lord” (#202)

God is the author of the Psalms, through the Holy Spirit’s work of inspiration, guiding the human authors to write what He intended, as we read in 2 Peter 1:20-21 … “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Psalm 150 and “O Praise Ye the Lord” (#202)

Longing for Purity and “Search Me, O God” (#201)

Self-examination is one of the most valuable dimensions of spiritual health.  Psalm 139 concludes with the request that God would search our hearts.  When we make that request, it implies that we will embark on such an examination ourselves, trusting … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Longing for Purity and “Search Me, O God” (#201)

Handel’s Messiah and “Hallelujah” (#200)

People around the world associate Handel’s great masterpiece “Messiah,” with Christmas.   But it was originally an Easter composition in three parts.  The oratorio’s structure follows the liturgical year.  Part 1 corresponds with Advent, Christmas, and the life of Jesus.  Part … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Handel’s Messiah and “Hallelujah” (#200)

Good Friday’s Lamb and “Not All the Blood of Beasts” (#199)

Christians around the world mark the end of the week prior to Resurrection Sunday (a better title for it than “Easter”), with special services drawing meditative attention to the conclusion of that week in Jesus’ earthly life.  One of the … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Good Friday’s Lamb and “Not All the Blood of Beasts” (#199)

The Glorious Passion Story and “My Song Is Love Unknown” (#198)

England’s cathedrals have been the sites of some of the most wonderful preacher/theologians of all time.   Among them must be named John Donne (St. Paul’s, London) and J. C. Ryle (Liverpool). Others who never served in cathedral positions would certainly … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on The Glorious Passion Story and “My Song Is Love Unknown” (#198)

Palm Sunday and “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (#2)

This is a revision to the previously released study on this hymn – ed. We all have childhood memories of coming into church on Palm Sunday, waving palm fronds.  For me, growing up in Miami, we had access to plenty … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Palm Sunday and “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (#2)

At-One-Ment and “Man of Sorrows!  What a Name” (#197)

One of the most precious doctrines of the Christian faith is that of atonement.  Some of us will remember learning as children in Sunday School the simple definition that comes from dividing the syllables of the word to spell “at-one-ment.”  … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on At-One-Ment and “Man of Sorrows!  What a Name” (#197)

Friends in Heaven and “How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine!” (#196)

When a loved one or a dear friend dies, we who know the Lord experience what Paul wrote to the church in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, “We grieve but not like those who have no hope.”  As Christians we know that … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on Friends in Heaven and “How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine!” (#196)

A Symbol of Victory and “Lift High the Cross” (#195)

Paul wrote in Galatians 6:14, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”  We are carefully self-conscious in making sure that we don’t glory … Continue reading

Posted in Hymn Study | Comments Off on A Symbol of Victory and “Lift High the Cross” (#195)