Weekly Update 7/12

Dear Friends and Family,

This morning’s time of worship was helpful for me.  It was beneficial to take a look into the parable of the sower and see what kind of soil my heart resembles.  It was also uplifting to be able to celebrate resurrection and the effects it has on our lives.  Next week in Bible Study we will look into chapter four of the Scripture section of Why God Created the World.  Last week we discussed the fact that the Bible explains that God created the world for His glory, and this week we will look at how the Bible expands on that by saying He created it for His name’s sake, to make Him known, and so that He would be praised.  There will not be Summer Spirit until August.  Next Sunday night I will be preaching.  I am going to take a historical view of song in the church and provide some helpful ideas of how we ought to worship as a body of believers.

This week’s hymn writer is Isaac Watts (1674-1748).  Watts was born on July 17, 1674 to a schoolmaster in Southampton, England.  Even as a child he showed promise in the literary world.  In 1702 he began to pastor and remained for the majority of his life in Abney Park, England.  He has made an enormous impact in the world of hymnody.  You may be familiar with the following hymns by this influential poet: “Alas, and Did my Savior Bleed,” “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?,” “I Sing the Mighty Power of God,” “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun,” “Joy to the World,” “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past,” and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”  Not only has Watts provided Christians with numerous hymns, but he has also translated psalms and set them to meter.  We have been appreciating some of these works each week.  This week’s Psalm is number 19.  I suggest singing this particular Psalm to the tune of the “Doxology” which is OLD HUNDREDTH.

Here is Hymnary.org’s page on Isaac Watts: http://www.hymnary.org/person/Watts_Isaac

Here is a wonderful video describing Watt’s life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6o9OHBtIQg 

The heav’ns declare Thy glory, Lord,

In every star Thy wisdom shines;

But when our eyes behold Thy Word

We read Thy name in fairer lines.

The rolling sun, the changing light,

And nights and days Thy power confess;

But the blest volume Thou hast writ

Reveals Thy justice and Thy grace.

Sun, moon, and stars convey Thy praise

Round the whole earth, and never stand;

So when Thy truth begun its race,

It touch’d and glanc’d on every land.

Nor shall Thy spreading gospel rest,

Till thro’ the world Thy truth has run;

Till Christ has all the nations blest,

That see the light, or feel the sun.

Great Sun of Righteousness arise,

Bless the dark world with heavenly light;

Thy gospel makes the simple wise,

Thy laws are pure, Thy judgements right.

Thy noblest wonders here we view

In souls renew’d and sins forgiven;

Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,

And make Thy word my guide to heaven.