Category Archives: Hymn Study

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

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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

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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

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Praying Well and “Lord, Teach Us How to Pray Aright” (#194)

None of us feels that we have achieved the prayer life that we want to have, or that we ought to have.  Even the disciples instinctively knew that was true, as they were with Jesus day in and day out, … Continue reading

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Trusting God Amid Trials and “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee” (#193)

None of us experiences a life free from trials.  They come in many forms and at many times.  Some are from without, as we experience loss or opposition.  Some come from within, as we are weighed down by discouragement and … Continue reading

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Raising Ebenezers and “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (#192)

How many of us remember singing as a child, wondering what an ebenezer was, and how to raise one?  The word comes from 1 Samuel 7:12, where we read that “Samuel took a stone and set it up … and … Continue reading

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The Cost of Discipleship and “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” (#191)

In the Gospels, we don’t often read of Jesus calling on people to “believe” in Him or to “receive” Him.  What we do find, however, is Jesus regularly calling on people to “follow” Him.  This means that being a Christian … Continue reading

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Creation’s Beauties and “This Is My Fathers World” (#190)

One of the wonderful topical sections in all hymnals has to do with creation.  Psalm 19 calls us to rejoice that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament (the skies) shows His handiwork.”  If we will open … Continue reading

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Jesus’ Love and “O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” (#189)

The theme of God’s love is one of the most prominent and beautiful in all of scripture.  There is not an event, a person, a book, or a page in which we cannot see His love revealed and chronicled.  Countless … Continue reading

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The Magi and “Wise Men, They Came to Look for Wisdom” (#188)

Matthew’s account of the arrival of the Magi is intriguing in many ways.  For some, it has almost become part of the “once upon a time” character of the nativity story.  But these were real historical figures whom we are … Continue reading

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