I heard a Ukrainian folk song and became quite taken with its haunting melody. After contemplating it for a while, I realized that the words and raw emotions of Psalm 42 could fit the mood of the song. What follows is my first draft. The lead sheet for this is at the bottom of this page.
In the darkness, apprehension comes and ends hope;
With the starkness of my sins I falter and grope.
Then Your promise comes to open up my eyes wide,
And like Thomas, I am bid to touch Your side.
I remember God, my God, my Rock and Tower—
Dying ember, longingly to seek Your power;
But You're still God, with my tongue and voice I'll praise You;
You I will laud, for You're holy, just and true.
Why so downcast? O my soul, fear not and tremble.
God is steadfast—He will hear me from His temple.
I will praise Him, He will lift me up to His throne.
And with glad hymns, He will claim me as His own.
Here is the youtube video of a mother / daughter duo playing banduras and singing the song in Ukrainian.
The lead sheet contains some suggestions for the intro and possible accompaniment. The accompaniment is not complete.
The author of the Russian poem was Ivan Grigor'evich Kul'zhinskiy who lived 1803-1884. The melody may have been composed by Yakov Ivanovich Vyazovskiy, 1898-1940.
1. O how life's sea now rages round about me;
Strong winds now rock my boat with waves so tall.
In mortal fear and with a desperate plea,
O God, my God, unto You now I call.
2. Take pity on me, save and show me mercy!
From my first day of life I've struggled hard.
I cannot fight, my soul is tired and weary
O God, I pray that my soul You would guard.
3. Guide me along the trackless depths of rough seas
To Your own quiet Wharf of Your Commands.
From the abyss of worldly fears and ill ease,
O God, I pray You'll bring me to Your Land.
Take pity upon me, save and
show mercy (or grant pardon)!
С первых дней
жизни я страшно борюсь.
S pervykh dney zhizni ya strashno boryus'.
From first days [of] life I
terribly struggle.
Больше
бороться уж мне не под силу.
Bol'she borot'sya uzh mne ne pod silu.
Anymore fightalready [to] me not under power.
(Ie, I can't fight anymore.)
Боже, мой
Боже! Тебе я молюсь.
Bozhe, moy Bozhe! Tebe ya molyus'.
O God, my God! [To] You I
pray.
3. К пристани тихой Твоих повелений
K pristani tikhoy Tvoikh poveleniy
To [the] wharf quiet [of]
Your commands
Путь мой
направь и меня успокой.
Put' moy naprav' i menya uspokoy.
Path [of] mine direct/guide
and me quiet.
И из пучины
житейских волнений
Iizpuchinyzhiteyskikhvolneniy
And from abyss [of] worldly
agitation
К берегу
выведи, Боже благой!
K beregu vyvedi, Bozhe blagoy!
To [the] shore bring [me], O
God good!
** picture of Варяжские ладьи (Varangian, or Viking, lad'i)
NOTE: technically, the Varangians were 9th and 10th Century Scandinavians who traveled eastward through Modern Russian and Ukraine to Constantinople. Many consider them Vikings in the sense that they were from southern Scandinavia in the same time period as the Vikings (late 8th Century through the 11th Century). The Lad'i was not the Viking boat that rode in conquest to the west. It was related, but not exactly the same.
Interestingly, the most famous Varangian Prince was named Rurik of the Rus. According to some account the locals in Kiev asked him for help to lead their splintered factions. Other accounts say that he and his friends just set up shop there. But the upshot of it is that Rurik and his tribe, the Rus, gave birth to the name of the great Slavic nation, Russia. Even if it was in Present day Ukraine.
_________ English Version ________
1. Wildly rages the sea of life,
Strong waves rock the boat.
In mortal terror and in desperate grief,
O God, my God, to You I cry!
2. Take pity upon me, save and show mercy!
From the very first days of life I have struggled hard.
I cannot fight anymore.
O God, my God, to You I pray.
3. To the quiet wharf of Your Commands
Guide this path of mine and quiet me.
And from the depths of worldly agitation
Bring me to that safe shore, O my good God!
A translation to English to fit the music of this Russian Hymn, «О Божьих слов не пропускай»
1. O the Word of God do not e'er neglect, Nor from your eyes its light be waved; In your heart let hardness ne'er collect — O hear His voice come now be saved!
Chorus — The day tomorrow may never shine, The chords of death your soul entwine; Be wise consider then your grave — O hear His voice come now be saved!
2. Think on this: the world cannot e'er reward, Its treasures poison and enslave. Turn to Christ, let His Life be your store — O hear His voice come now be saved!
Chorus —
3. O our Lord will never once expel The humbled soul to whom He gave Mercy Love, and Grace; now with them He dwells — O hear His voice come now be saved!
This question is often asked by new generations as they are asked to sing and use the old songs from a by-gone era.
Rephrasing it, it is asking, "Is there anything important in singing these old hymns?"
Or even perhaps, "It's not straight from the Bible so what does it matter?"
However, even though singing hymns as we find in traditional hymnbooks is not found in the Bible, per se, I would argue that there is something very important in using them in the course of a local church's worship service. I would like to give a few important reasons why singing hymns is an important part of a Christian church's worship service.
First of all, Paul commands the Ephesians to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19). Thus there is warrant for hymns. In fact, the gospels say that after the Last Supper, they sang a hymn and left (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26). In the latter case, it is very likely that Jesus and His disciples sang one or more of the Psalms.
I know this is far more modern, yet it retains some of the ancient mid Eastern sound and intensity that Jesus and his disciples might have brought to the table as they sang.
I am not going to say that I understand completely what "hymn" means
to the ancient first century Christian, but I can say that it was a
literature genre and art form that was meant to convey Biblical truths
to be sung in worship—both corporately and privately. In fact, some say
that 1 Timothy 3:16 is one of the earliest recorded Christian hymns:
He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Thus the first point is that the tradition to sing hymns is ancient and commanded by Scripture.
But, some would ask, couldn't we just have our own new, modern hymns?
Sure. Psalm 96:1 says that we are to sing unto the Lord a new song.
Yet it does not prohibit the singing of that which is old.
Thus I
would argue that there is room in the Lord's church for all varieties
of songs. However, as Paul says, everything must be done decently and
in order (1 Cor. 14:40).
A few simple tests help weed out songs which do not edify:
* It is Scripturally correct?
* Does it point to God? or is it focusing on self?
* Does it magnify the Lord? or stay rooted in this world?
These
simple tests can (and should) be applied to modern songs, favorite
choruses, hymns and even old fashioned hymns. If it doesn't lead to
Jesus, why are we wasting time with it?
Hymns and Psalms and Spiritual Songs should draw us closer to our Lord—
J. C Ryle wrote in his
book Holiness that "it is better to be acquainted with Christ
Himself.... He that would be conformed to Christ's image, and become a
Christ-like man, must be constantly studying Christ Himself." (J. C.
Ryle, "Holiness" Chapter XII)
Additionally, Ryle wrote that we should "labor to be familiar with every line that is written about Jesus."
Of
course, this first and foremost means that we must delve into the
Scriptures to see Jesus. Our Lord Himself proved this to the disciples
walking along the road to Emmaus as He explained all that Scriptures is about Himself (Luke 24:27).
But can we not also
reap the blessing of other writers who have dived deeply into the
Scriptures and wrestled long with passages and then written their
learned understanding? Yes, that is why we look to old writers such as
Augustine and Luther and Calvin as well as the many Confessions of Faith
and Catechisms. Likewise there is a wealth of learning and teaching
and instruction embodied in the hymns from of old too. Saints from other times wrote out of sorrow, or in joy, or in hope—that is, in like circumstances as we face.
Do not cast it aside and then try to re-invent the wheel anew.
Worship is more than just us!—
Many
learned man of old has pointed out that (paraphrasing here) "if we are
able to see into the distance, it is because we stand on the shoulders
of giants." We should not forget the saints who have gone before us and
have left a record of their understandings both in literature and in
song.
Hebrew 12:22 - 23 gives some additional understanding for how we worship:
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and
to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God,
the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect and
to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood
that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Do you see that
we are not just a simple collection of a couple dozen people or even
several hundred who are meeting together on a Sunday morning?
Christian, consider this and be filled with awe! We are meeting with
Jesus! Jesus Himself comes, humbles Himself, bends down, draws near to
our worship and thus sanctifies it. His presence makes it hallowed.
His company makes our meeting sweet. His residence and inhabiting in
our praise makes the very effort that we have made to be the most
sublime of all earthly endeavors.
That alone should give our hearts cause for endless joy!
But
the writer to Hebrews tells us that there is more!
We are gathered
together with the holy angels who long to look into such things (1
Peter 1:12).
Additionally, we are somehow connected and drawn
together with the saints who have gone on ahead of us: "The spirits of
the righteous made perfect." Think about that. I barely can comprehend
what that means, but somehow, I imagine that there are all these saints
who have lived before us, now in heaven, and God allows them to bend near
to hear and partake of our seemingly plain and simple earthly worship.
Yet, it is not plain and simple, for God Himself draws close, causes His
holy angels to bend near to watch, then invites the triumphant saints
to sit nearby in exultation as His church militant gathers in meager
numbers but in triumphant song, singing the hymns that saints of old
once heralded.
Consider that, O Christian. Somehow next to
you—in hidden array—a saint of old draws near and sings along with what
you are singing. Our hymnbooks contain songs from the 12th Century: "Of
the Father's Love Begotten." From 1215: "All Creatures of Our God and
King." From 12th and 13th Century: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," and even
from the 5th Century: "Let Al Mortal Flesh Keep Silence."
That
is an awesome legacy! We are singing the songs that saints have sung
before. It is really no small matter that we are singing the same songs
that Martin Luther composed, sang, and directed his congregation to
sing. And what of the hundreds of songs that Fanny Crosby that are in a
variety of hymnals? This saint of the nineteenth century who was
physically blind, but saw with a greater clarity than most of us? This
dear sister who was happy that she could not see because her first sight
would be the Savior's face? Surely that must draw our hearts to wonder
what excited her and motivated her songs.
I would also point out
that there is a broad spectrum of nationalities that are represented in
hymns—far more than just the narrow slice represented in the current slice of popular songs.
Somehow, God, in His infinite wisdom, divided the nations by language.
No one language perfectly describes what another language tries to
tell. Thus, somehow, God is telling us that we cannot in our our
limited understanding grasp the length and height and breadth of all
that God is. It takes a wide variety of languages and tongues and
cultures to even to begin to scratch the surface of the mysteries of who
God is.
Yet, He has allowed us to interact with other cultures
and languages and so begin to see another side of His many faceted-being
that is inexhaustible and limitless and without boundaries!
Hymns
allow us to see a slightly different viewpoint on the immensity of God
and His utterly incomprehensible infinitude! Consider our hymnbooks
have hymns from Ireland ("We Lift Up as Our Shield God's Name" "Be Thou
My Vision"), Wales ("O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus!"), Germany ("A
Mighty Fortress Is Our God," and "Silent Night"), America ("Amazing
Grace"), Latin (Of the Father's Love Begotten").
Consider the content—
Do the songs that you sing send you back to the Scriptures to understand the deeper references? Consider these old hymns:
* Hark the Harold Angels Sing
Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.
This should point you back to 1 Corinthians 15:45-48 where Paul calls Jesus both the last Adam and the second man from heaven.
* How Firm a Foundation
When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
This should point you to Isa. 42:10 where God promises that whether through waters or through fire He would be with you to help and protect you.
These are but two small examples of the Scriptural allusions that lie within most hymns of old. Make sure that all the songs that you sing point back to Scriptures in a similar fashion.
Above all, we have Christ who changeth not!—
In addition to
all that, we have the sure immutability of Christ Himself. The writer
to the Hebrews stated in bold certainty that "Jesus is the same
yesterday, today and forever." He never changes! Consider that. J. C.
Ryle wrote:
"The Savior, in whom you trust, is the same
yesterday, today, and forever. He knows no variability, no shadow of
turning. Though high in heaven at God's right hand, He is just the same
in heart as that He was [2000] years ago. Remember that and you will
do well."
Think of that, Christian: This Christ is the same as
He was 2000 years ago. That means that He was the same as Augustine perceived Him, and the same as Martin Luther encountered Him, and the
same as the Divines in Westminster detailed Him. Can we not learn from
these saints who have experienced Him in times past and written about
Him in eloquent ways? Likewise, can we not benefit from words in songs that saints of old sang?
In summary—
This is not a paper trying to
dissuade modern hymns and songs. Instead, this is an argument not to
neglect the old while we try to include the new. God has given a
multitude of gifts to His church throughout the ages. We would be very
proud and arrogant if we think that we could do away with those who came
before us.
If God is infinite and is most perfect and most wise, how then could any creature ever hope to have a thought that is good that He hadn't thought of already? It would be pride that thinks it could. Ultimately then, the best we can do it to think God's thoughts after Him. God's thought, first and foremost found in Scriptures, but also as found in writings of saints who have lived before us and thought God's thoughts. And the purpose of this essay is to encourage us to look to old hymns too. Hymns that were written by saints who were contemplating God and God's thoughts and thus were overwhelmed with who God is! All must be governed and in conformity to the Bible, Sola Scriptura. However, we should sure that we do not
forget those who have anchored their words, doctrine and lyrics in
Scriptura. Our worship will be far richer by their inclusion.
Sometimes reading a passage from the Bible can seem familiar or even mundane. Other times we can blip right over it and miss the deep levels of meaning within the simple lines. Such was the case the other morning when I read 1 Timothy 3:16:
God was manifested in the flesh, Justified by the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
This is in verse form so it must have been an early Creed or Hymn. Think of that for a moment. You are participating in an ancient song that has been passed down for two millennia!
But let's unpack the meaning of this hymn then marvel at the great mystery of godliness.
"God was manifested in the flesh" — First, this strikes against any Gnostic who would say that matter is evil and thus God could not have *Really* come in a human body. It also strikes against the modern liberal who says that Jesus was a nice man, a good man, but God is something that you make up in your own mind subjectively. Now think about this a while longer; let the full importance of these brief words amaze your heart and mind. The first 18 verses of John 1 should jump to mind: "He dwelt among us!" Another translation says, "He tabernacled [pitched a tent] among us!" God with us! Emmanuel! It also points to Matthew 1 as well as Luke 2. Jesus Christ, Son of God, became Son of Man. He who had always existed suddenly became! Think also about such humiliation: The Infinite God condensed and confined within a span of 33 years and the measure of a mortal body. For us and for our salvation!
"Justified by the Spirit" — Justified could be translated "Vindicated." Jesus began His life on earth by the direct action of the Spirit overshadowing Mary. He started His earthly ministry with the Spirit descending upon Him at baptism in the form of a dove. At the end of His ministry Jesus was accused and condemned as a sinner but the Spirit of God vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead.
"Seen by angels" — Consider Him who dwelt in Heaven on whose face the angel dare not gaze. Now a little lower than the angels. Angels which sang at creation (Job 38:7) and will shout and sing at the end of this age (Rev 5: 8 - 11), oversaw and directly interacted with earth at His birth, during His temptation, in the midst of His agony in the Garden, at His resurrection and then at His ascension into Heaven. And even now, we are told that God is showing off His spectacular creation, the Church, to celestial beings. Eph 3:10.
"Preached among the Gentiles" — Consider how this is the direct fulfillment of Gen 12:2 - 3, "...all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Consider how it is a blessing that you who were once far off are now brought into His Kingdom and accepted in the Beloved!
"Believed on in the world" — His kingdom is advancing! Satan and the host of darkness team up and work the world up into a lather to oppose the spread of the gospel, but God's Word goes forth and here and there folks believe. This should encourage us to speak, for how can they believe unless someone speaks!
"Received up in glory" — This happened in front of His disciples eyes (Acts 1:9). And now this Jesus is in Heaven with the glory that He had before the incarnation and now crown with extra honor for completing the Father's task (Phil 2:9 - 11).
Preserver with night-piercing sight,
darkness to Adam's kind.
Drove to misery, the Potentate of
Heaven.
All creation wept; joy wrenched
from Adam.
But the Lord sent a beacon
glorious,
a generous gift: Author of Life on
victory-field,
mighty Warrior on beam utterly
crushed Devil;
a blest-with-victory man. That was
a blessed day!
Yet thanes heeded cursed counsel,
turned to evil cursed High Father.
Still God loved, gave light to
souls.
The Second Adam, Almighty Son of
man,
quickened mankind with mercy,
bounteous in benefits; darkness
fled,
thanes received sight— the
Trinity's work!
All mankind sings; earth itself
rejoice;
then was sung triumph's song, song
of the righteous Father,
The Savior with power mankind's sin
cured;
Thus we must now praise the Creator
of Salvation!
- D. Benning
_____________________________________
I was so into Old English (Anglo-Saxon) whilst an undergraduate at UC Davis that I took as many courses in pre-Shakespearean literature as possible and ended up taking several classes in Old English and related literature. I thoroughly loved it. I was even encouraged by my professor to try my hand at writing in Old English and submitting it to an annual contest. (No. Not even an honorable mention for my efforts.) But the above is the translation of the following Old English words. I know that it is correct, having gone back and forth with my professor several times over the wording and the syntax.
Creation shows the power of God,
There's glory all around,
And those who see must stand in awe,
For miracles abound.
Chorus
I believe in miracles, I've seen a soul set free,
Miraculous the change in one Redeemed through Calvary;
I've seen the lily push its way up through the stubborn sod;
I believe in miracles, for I believe in God!
I cannot doubt the work of God,
There's glory all around,
And those who see must stand in awe,
For miracles abound.
[chorus]
The love of God! O pow'r divine!
'Tis wonderful to see
The miracles that He has wrought
Should lead to Calvary.
(1) My Father is omnipotent,
And that you can't deny;
A God of might and miracles-
'Tis written in the sky.
CHORUS: It took a miracle to put the stars in place, It took a miracle to hang the world in space; But when He saved my soul, Cleansed and made me whole, It took a miracle of love and grace!
(2) Though here His glory has been shown,
We still can't fully see
The wonders of His might, His throne-
'Twill take eternity.
[chorus]
(3) The Bible tells us of His power
And wisdom all way through,
And every little bird and flower
Are testimonies too.
This was one of those moments when God just gave me the words and the tune simultaneously. During an evening church service. Our Pastor was preaching on the cross of Christ and its vast importance and he said something about God's love for us is shown in the Nail Prints on His hands. I quickly wrote out the first verse and the chorus and made notes as to how the tune would go. I finished the song the next morning.
God's Love has called us from death to Life;
His Blood has bought us from endless night
Into the Kingdom of His Dear Son
With Joys unceasing—endless delight!
Refrain God's Love unbounded—how deep and wide— Poured out around us on ev'ry side! Oh, plunge me into that blessed flow Till Jesus only is all I know.
How rich His Mercy! How great His Love!
How sweet His Favor! How grand His Grace!
Such Love demands our most joyful praise!
By Love unmeasured, we see His Face!
Refrain
Christ's Love has conquered, shattered our bonds:
Where once in darkness, we're brought Above.
His hands are outstretched, bidding us come
Behold His Kindness—Nail Prints of Love!
I love this hymn, a retelling in verse of Psalm 90. It was originally written by Edward Bickersteth in 1860. I felt that somehow it was forgotten—especially when used with the tune NEW WEDLOCK from J. T. White's The Sacred Harp collection of 1844. I rearranged the words and updated it to a bit more modern language and added choruses.
The result?
You can view the music and listen to an mp3 of it here: O God, the Rock of Ages.
O God, the Rock of Ages
Alt. version, 2012, with added choruses.
O God, the Rock of Ages,
Who evermore hast been,
What time the tempest rages,
Our rest and peace within;
O Lord, the same as ever
Before creation’s chord,
To endless days forever,
The Everlasting Lord!
Our years are like the shadows
On sunny hills that lie,
Or grasses in the meadows
That blossom but to die;
A sleep, a dream, a story
By strangers quickly told
An unremaining glory
Of things that soon are old.
Teach
us our days to number
So
when our years are o’er,
We
then in final slumber
May
wake on Heaven’s shore!
O You, who cannot slumber,
Whose light grows never pale,
Teach us aright to number
Our years before they fail;
On us Your mercy lighten,
On us Your goodness rest,
And let Your Spirit brighten
The hearts that You have blessed.
Lord, crown our faith’s endeavor
With beauty and with grace,
Till, clothed in light forever,
We see You face to face:
A joy no language measures,
A fountain brimming o’er,
An endless flow of pleasures,
An ocean without shore.
