¹ My song is love unknown–
my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown^[1],
that they might lovely be^[2].
Oh, who am I^[3], that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?

^[1] become lovely through Christ’s redemption
^[2] as we gaze on His beauty, He transforms us and makes us lovely
^[3] constant question to ponder: who am I, that God should love me? How did I merit God’s favor? It’s a story of love unknown…

_{stanza theme: Christ’s coming}
² He came from His blest throne^[4]
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange^[5], and none
the longed for Christ would know^[6].
But oh, my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need His life did spend^[7]!

^[4] Christmas story
^[5] Jesus was unrecognized as Messiah.
^[6] John 1:11: “His own [people] did not receive Him.”
^[7] meditate: He did so much for us… what have we done for Him?

_{stanza theme: Palm Sunday}
³ Sometimes they strew His way,
and His sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.^[8]
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
and for His death they thirst and cry.

^[8] a stark contrast between the first sentence and the last sentence.

_{stanza theme: trial at Pilot}
⁴ Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries^[9]! Yet they at these^[10]
themselves displease^[11],
and ‘gainst Him rise.

^[9] injuries and suffering can be sweet because God uses them for good (Romans 8:28)
^[10] the people who Jesus healed
^[11] Pharisees were annoyed/angered/heard of heart

_{stanza theme: trial at Pilot}
⁵ They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away^[12].
A murderer they save;
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful^[13] He to suff’ring goes,
that He His foes from thence might free.

^[12] the Pharisees were so determined to make Jesus go away
^[13] He went willingly

_{stanza theme: Jesus’ burial}
⁶ In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
but mine the tomb^[14] wherein He lay.

^[14] restated: the tomb was mine, but He took it in my stead

_{stanza theme: Jesus’ resurrection}
⁷ Here might I stay and sing–^[15]
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.

^[15] meditate: linger in contemplation & praise
^[16] the moral of the hymn: Jesus is my Friend, who we’ll spend eternity with

¹ O worship the King all-glorious above,^[1]
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our Shield and Defender^[2], the Ancient of Days^[3],
pavilioned^[4] in splendor and girded with praise.^[5]

^[1] refers to God being above all creation and any earthly king, in terms of majesty and supremacy.
^[2] comes from Psalms.
^[3] comes from Daniel 7, referring to how God has no beginning or end; He existed before time itself.
^[4] pavilioned = to be covered, like a tent, in splendor.
^[5] girded with praise = for God to be enveloped, wrapped, and clothed in praise from His people. Referring to one of our roles in heaven, how our worship will be like the robe that covered Jesus; our praise that surrounds and clothes Him.

² O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.^[6]
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.^[7]

^[6] Psalm 104, and thus this song, speaks to creation; this stanza to days 1 & 2 of light and the sky.
^[7] this speaks of God’s awe-inspiring power and His tender love. As an example, storms and such can happen as a form of God’s judgment, yet that terrifying strength (when channel as grace) is also used to save us.

³ Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?^[8]
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.^[9]

^[8] God cares for us in ways we don’t even know, e.g. sparing us from disasters we may only learn of when we get to Heaven.
^[9] this stanza focuses on acknowledging God’s provision for us, in terms of creation when He created the air, light, land, and rain, and also, every day when we enjoy these things.

⁴ Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,^[10]
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!^[11]

^[10] The climax of God’s creation in Genesis 1 was creating humans, in His image. We’re frail and feeble, yet in God’s mercy, those who trust Him are strong.
^[11] God is our maker, defender, redeemer; and, our friend. In John 15, Jesus says that those who believe in God and obey Him, we are friends in addition to being slaves. Let’s look forward to being able to fully enjoy that relationship intimately when we’re in heaven.

¹ I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how he could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
Chorus:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:^[1]
How marvelous! How wonderful
Is my Savior’s love for me.

^[1] referring to, when we’re in Heaven

² For me it was in the garden
He prayed, “Not my will, but thine.”
He had no tears for his own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.^[2] [Chorus]

^[2] aprepo truths to meditate on during Easter, and whenever we partake in the Lord’s Supper. To dwell on how Jesus had no sin of himself, warranting no punishment; the only person in history who wasn’t guilty, is the one who took on our sins. Indeed, how marvelous is His love for us.

³ In pity, angels beheld him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night. [Chorus]

^[3] this picture is of the Garden of Gethsemane. An angel came from heaven, out of compassion and sorrow, to strengthen Jesus during that time (Luke 22:43). In a way, even though we live in the 21^st century, we were present at the cross as our sins were on that cross, which Jesus died for. How marvelous His love is for us.

⁴ He took my sins and my sorrows,^[4]
He made them his very own;
He bore the burden to Calv’ry,
And suffered, and died alone. [Chorus]

^[4] meditate: on the cross, Jesus not only took our sins, but also our sorrows. Isaiah 53, the Messiah has “borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” This refers to the 2 parts of sin: griefs refer to the penalty of sin (more in a legal sense), sorrow refer to the emotional pain internally (e.g. guilt, shame, anxiety, torment over sin). In terms of eternity, Jesus bore those too, so that we can be in Heaven with great joy.

⁵ When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
‘Twill be my joy thro’ the ages
To sing of His love for me. [Chorus]

Expositing the lyrics of "My Song is Love Unknown" with Joni Eareckson Tada, the Christian author who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident as a teenager and founder of Joni & Friends (supports people with disabilities, raises $80 million/year). In a moving and deeply inspiring conversation, we explore each of the the aspects of this song that is set during Holy Week, how its rich truths comfort her through decades of quadriplegia, chronic pain, and battling cancer. Through the lens of Christ's suffering, she re-centers our perspective on hardship, explaining how our deepest trials can become "sweet injuries" when surrendered to God. Whether you are walking through a season of suffering or seeking a deeper relationship with the "Friend of Sinners," Joni’s wisdom will encourage you to find true joy in Jesus.

¹ Immortal, invisible, God only wise,^[1]
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes.^[2]
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,^[3]
Almighty, victorious--Thy great Name we praise.

^[1] each word is worthy of meditation. Another way to say this is, “Immortal, Invisible, only God is wise”
^[2] 1 Timothy 6: “God, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” This refers to how God’s glory exists in such intense brilliance and holiness that no created being can approach or endure it. No one can look directly on God’s glory and live, unless we’re in Heaven, which is one of the great things we look forward to being present with the Lord. These first two lines set the tone for the hymn: God is far above and beyond us. Yet, God still reveals himself to us, cares for us, and draws us near.
^[3] Ancient of Days = one of the most majestic titles of God, it comes from Daniel 7, referring to Him not only as existing before and outside of time, but also a picture of God’s rule and judicial authority as ultimate Judge in Daniel’s vision.

² Unresting^[4], unhasting^[5], and silent as light^[6],
Nor wanting^[7], nor wasting^[8], Thou rulest in might^[9];
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.^[10]

^[4] God never sleeps or gets tired.
^[5] He’s never in a rush, all works per His perfect timing.
^[6] just like light makes no sound but is obviously present, God works with perfect calm and power. Even though we may not see him in physical form, it’s good to remind ourselves that He is working and is in control.
^[7] God never lacks anything.
^[8] nothing is ever without purpose or use in the way He guides things.
^[9] God rules with overwhelming power in a mighty, sovereign, unstoppable way.
^[10] visualize: Mt. Everest, clouds at the base, and the mountain peak soaring high, representing God’s love and goodness

³ To all, life Thou givest - to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest - the true life of all.^[11]
Thy wisdom so boundless, Thy mercy so free,
Eternal Thy goodness for naught changeth Thee.^[12]

^[11] restated: “God is the author of life, and the sustainer of life.” It also highlights a theme of the song, which is how God is far above creation and invisible, but paradoxically, closer than our own breath, because He’s in us.
^[12] restated: God doesn’t change

⁴ Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,^[13]
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;^[14]
All praise we would render--O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!^[15]

^[13] restated: “God is the source of all glory and spiritual light”
^[14] Even the angels have to veil their sight of God’s glory, it’s so brilliant, per Isaiah 6:2. If the seraphim can’t, how much more should we feel our smallness, and it should humble us!
^[15] the heart of this hymn, see below.

Author: Walter Chalmers Smith
Composer: 0
Meter: 11.11.11.11
Tune name: ST. DENIO

_{stanza theme: the Bible provides the unshakable basis for our faith}
¹ How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!^[1]
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?^[2]

^[1] restated: to you believers (the saints), how firm a foundation is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
^[2] the sufficiency of Bible: God has equipped us with everything necessary for faith, living a new life, and godliness. We don’t need new prophets or revelation in order to live the Christian life; the Bible is complete and enough, and has wonderful promises to live that life.

_{stanza theme: Isaiah 41:10}
² "Fear not! I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent^[3] hand.^[4]

^[3] omnipotent = all powerful.
^[4] stanza restated: don't be afraid. I [God] am right here. I'm your God. I'll carry you through what you’re going through.

_{stanza theme: Isaiah 43:2}
³ “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.^[5]

^[5] God will use even your worst suffering for your spiritual good. Not that distress feels good, but that God can transform us, and use it for our sanctification (i.e. to become more like Christ). No matter the situation, God will not allow suffering beyond what we can bear.

_{stanza theme: 1 Peter 1:6-7}
⁴ "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design^[6]
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.^[7]

^[6] trials are not random cruelty, but rather, intentional refining.
^[7] in metal working, gold or silver is heated in fire to melt away impurities, called dross. The purpose of our sufferings is to do away with those. Interestingly: how does a metal worker know that enough dross has been done away with? When he looks at the silver, and sees his own face.

_{stanza theme: Hebrews 13:5}
⁵ "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose^[8];
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake!" ^[9]

^[8] repose = to rest and trust.
^[9] even if the devil throws everything and the kitchen sink at a believer, using all his forces of evil and overwhelming hardship, God remains committed to not deserting His children.

Meter: 11.11.11.11
Tune name: FOUNDATION

¹ Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still^[1].

^[1] meditate: when’s the last time you’ve been waiting, yielded, and still?

² Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me^[2] and try me^[3], Master, today.
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

^[2] a prayer that echoes David in Psalm 139 “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”
^[3] God tests people. For example, before Jesus fed the 5,000, he tested Philip, not because He was curious as to the answer (God’s omniscient), but He tested Philip to reveal a weakness he needed to grow in. That applies to us in terms of temptations and other sins we may struggle with.

³ Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary^[4], help me I pray.
Power - all power - surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me^[5], Savior divine!

^[4] the world would tell you to be: strong, independent, you don’t need anyone. This line reminds us how we are weak, weary, wounded, and the solution is in the all-powerful God.
^[5] of course, ultimate healing will take place when He calls us home to Heaven.

⁴ Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway^[6]!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always living in me^[7]!

^[6] we should strive for God to have “absolute” sway in our lives. Complete surrender, not partial surrender.
^[7] would those around you—friends, neighbors, etc—say that they see Christ living in you? That should be one’s desire. And what a beautiful aspiration to ask of the Lord.

Author: Adelaide A. Pollard
Composer: George C. Stebbins
Meter: 5.4.5.4 D
Tune name: ADELAIDE

_{stanza theme: praising His presence}
¹ Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see
And in Thy presence rest.

_{stanza theme: praising His name}
² No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name,
O Savior of mankind.

_{stanza theme: praising His goodness}
³ O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall^[1], how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

^[1] meditate: God’s goodness extending to those who fall, which is all of us, and how kind & good He is to those who seek Him & repent

_{stanza theme: praising His love}
⁴ But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is -
None but His loved ones know.^[2]

^[2] the experience of knowing Christ is truly beyond description

_{stanza theme: praising Jesus being our hope}
⁵ Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now
And through eternity.

Author: Bernard of Clairvaux; Edward Caswall
Composer: John B. Dykes
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Tune name: ST. AGNES

¹ Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day;
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.^[1]
Chorus:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest -
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.^[2]

^[1] visualize: God’s peace being like a river, that flows perfectly in its depth, and width, and grows sweeter every day.
^[2] hearts that are stayed upon Jehovah are fully blessed, because they find that as God promised, perfect peace and rest. Frequently, peace and trusting in God’s promises go hand in hand, which is one of the reasons to seek out and memorize the promises of God.

² Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry - touch the Spirit there.^[3] [Chorus]

^[3] stanza theme: the security we have in Christ. Spiritually speaking, we are protected, safe from the enemy, God is the perfect parent; no one can snatch us from God’s hand (John 10). No matter what life throws at someone in terms of worries, anxiety, concerns, they don’t rattle one’s soul when he/she trusts in God.

³ Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.^[4] [Chorus]

^[4] the author of this song was a special lady. She was gifted as a singer, pianist, songwriter, and knew several languages including Greek and Hebrew. But, her health was often frail; on one particular occasion, she faced true potential death due to the typhoid fever that was going around. She said “sometimes I could not quite see God’s Face, yet there was His promise, ‘I will never leave you.’ I knew He said it and that He was there.” It’s a great example of faith by the promises we have in the Bible, rather than by emphasizing feelings that ebb and flow.

Author: Frances R. Havergal
Composer: James Mountain
Meter: 6.5.6.5 D with refrain
Tune name: WYE VALLEY

¹ More love to Thee, O Christ,
More love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make
On bended knee.
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

² Once earthly joy I craved,
Sought peace and rest;^[1]
Now Thee alone I seek;
Give what is best.^[2]
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

^[1] meditate: not seeking peace and rest in earthly joy
^[2] restated: “Lord, give me whatever you determine is best for me,” whether that’s comfort, trials, sorrow, joy, or anything else. Because each of those can increase our love for Christ.

³ Let sorrow do its work,
Send grief and pain; ^[3]
Sweet are thy messengers,
Sweet their refrain,
When they can sing with me:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

^[3] meditate: sorrows, griefs, and pains not as enemies to be avoided at all costs, but as “sweet messengers” sent by Christ Himself. They are tools in God’s hands, for us to increase our love of Christ. It takes maturity to not be focused on an easy, pain-free life, but rather, take the position that if sorrow is what it takes to make me love Christ more, then let it do its full work.

⁴ Then shall my latest breath
Whisper Thy praise;
This be the parting cry
My heart shall raise.
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee,
More love to Thee!

Author: Elizabeth P. Prentiss
Composer: William H. Doane
Meter: 6.4.6.4.6.6.4
Tune name: MORE LOVE TO THEE

¹ Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!^[1]
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation^[2], purchase of God,^[3]
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Chorus:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.^[4]

^[1] assurance that Jesus is mine is indeed a wonderful foretaste of what is to come.
^[2] refers to how we are co-heirs with Christ, in terms of the inheritance that awaits us.
^[3] we have been bought with a price, washed in the blood of Jesus as our atonement.
^[4] these wonderful truths should lead us to praise our Savior all the day long!

² Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture^[5] now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Chorus]

^[5] this phrase carries extra meaning when knowing that the songwriter (Fanny Crosby) was blind from infancy; she said she would not trade her blindness for anything, because, “it’d mean the first face I would ever see would be my Savior’s”

³ Perfect submission^[6] - all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love^[7]. [Chorus]

^[6] refers to our surrender to His perfect will. When we do that, indeed, we can be at rest (which is a blessing & brings happiness)
^[7] meditate: being so overwhelmed and enveloped by the love of Christ that everything else fades into the background. Self-focused thoughts, worries, and distractions diminish.

Author: Fanny J. Crosby
Composer: Phoebe P. Knapp
Meter: 9.10.9.9 with refrain
Tune name: ASSURANCE

¹ And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest^[1] in the Savior's blood?^[2]
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Refrain:
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

^[1] interest = ownership
^[2] this is a question one can ponder a lifetime over: how can it be that we have an interest in the Savior’s blood?

² He left His Father's throne above;
So free, so infinite His grace.
Emptied Himself of all but love^[3],
And bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me^[4]. [Refrain]

^[3] Philippians 2:7 “He [Jesus] emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.” Jesus voluntarily laid aside the exercise of His divine power. And love was the driving motivation behind the entire mission.
^[4] even though we were running from God, hiding our sin or feeling ashamed about it, His grace tracked us down—the word picture is like a wave of water that just overtakes you.

³ Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night^[5];
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off; my heart was free,
I rose, went forth and followed Thee^[6]. [Refrain]

^[5] nature’s night = the sinful, unregenerate human condition. Referring to how people are spiritually dead, held captive by the power and habit of sin.
^[6] the songwriter wrote this within days after he came to Christ, giving this even more meaning.

⁴ No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine;
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, thro' Christ, my own^[7]. [Refrain]

^[7] that we can boldly approach God’s throne with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace, is amazing. Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The believer is declared “not guilty” forever, and there is only one right response as an overflow of gratitude to that.

Author: Charles Wesley
Composer: Thomas Campbell
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8 with refrain
Tune name: SAGINA

_{theme of this stanza: hail Jesus}
¹ All hail^[1] the pow'r of Jesus' Name!
Let angels prostrate fall,^[2]
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem^[3],
Refrain:
And crown Him, crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,
And crown Him Lord of all.

^[1] hail = to bring honor, to praise, to celebrate
^[2] prostrate fall = to bow down in reverence. Restated: let’s hail the power of Jesus’ name and let the angels bow down in reverence
^[3] royal diadem = royal crown

_{theme of this stanza: hail His grace}
² Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,^[4]
Ye ransomed from the fall,^[5]
Ye ransomed from the fall;
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,^[6] [Refrain]

^[4] Christians have access to the promises made to the people of Israel. Those who belong to Christ are also called “Abraham’s offspring” and “Israel,” per Galatians 3:29. Spiritually speaking, “O seed of Israel’s chosen race,” extends to Christians.
^[5] Christ undid the curse of sin that entered through Adam, which ransomed and, spiritually speaking, what kept us in chains.
^[6] meditate on how our Savior is so perfect, so whole, so complete, that He can save us by His own grace. Wow.

_{theme of this stanza: hail His majesty}
³ Let every kindred, every tribe
On this terrestrial ball,^[7]
On this terrestrial ball;
To Him all majesty ascribe, [Refrain]

^[7] alternative translation: let every tongue and tribe responsive to His call. These lyrics were written by a missionary to India; when the missionaries would approach a new tribe (which was often being hostile and ready to fight), the singing of this song would in many cases completely disarm the tribesmen.
^[8] let us never fail to give Him glory for His majesty, and our salvation; we are to “ascribe” Him the majesty He is due.

_{theme of this stanza: hail Him collectively}
⁴ O that with yonder sacred throng^[9]
We at His feet may fall,
We at His feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song, [Refrain]

^[9] throng = a large crowd; sacred throng = large group of Christians assembling to worship together [in Heaven]
^[10] everlasting song = the redeemed in Heaven. Including family members who may have gone before you, and those who will follow!

Author: Edward Perronet
Composer: James Ellor
Meter: 8.6.8.6 with refrain
Tune name: DIADEM

¹ Abide^[1] with me; fast falls the eventide.^[2]
The darkness deepens^[3]; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

^[1] better stated as “stay” with me. It comes from the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus, where He and the two people he’s with get close to the village; Jesus seemed to be going farther, but they begged him “stay with us, for it is nearly evening. So, Jesus went in to stay with them.”
^[2] fast falls the eventide = as the sun sets
^[3] the composer’s 3-year-old daughter just died when he put the melody to these words.

² Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day.^[4]
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.^[5]

^[4] restated: life’s little day ebbs away, swiftly to its end; echoing James 4:14, “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
^[5] things can change so quickly, even from 10 years ago (let alone thousands of years); praise the Lord that He doesn’t change.

³ I need Thy presence every passing hour; ^[6]
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r? ^[7]
Who, like Thyself, my Guide and Stay can be? ^[8]
Thro' cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.

^[6] recognize total dependence on God
^[7] one of the keys to foiling the devil’s temptations (dodging his fiery arrows, Eph. 6:16), is to meditate on God’s grace.
^[8] Psalm 54:4, “The Lord is my guide and helper.”

⁴ I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still if Thou abide with me.

^[9] if Christ abides in a believer, and the believer abides in Christ, he/she has nothing to fear and can withstand any trial.
^[10] one of the roots of how any believer can withstand any trial is because death has no sting anymore (1 Cor. 15:55). We look forward to being in Heaven.

⁵ Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine thro' the gloom and point me to the skies.^[11]
Heav'n's morning breaks^[12], and earth's vain shadows flee.
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.^[13]

^[11] per Eph. 6, the hope of salvation is critical in enduring the fight against Satan. No soldier wins a fight if they believe they’re going to lose it.
^[12] restated: as the sun rises, a new day will emerge. Poetic relationship to note ^[2]
[13] sums up the theme of the hymn: God remains steadfast. He is our refuge. As with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, be like the individual(s) who asked Him “stay with me, don’t go; abide with me.” The darker the situation we go through, the greater we recognize the need to ask this and cling to Him. Especially when someone dies, to dwell on how we need His presence, how we have nothing to fear, and to set our mind on Heaven.

Author: Henry F. Lyte
Composer: William H. Monk
Meter: 10.10.10.10
Tune name: EVENTIDE

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_{stanza theme: praise His salvation for us}
¹ Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;^[1]
to his feet your tribute bring.^[2]
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,^[3]
evermore his praises sing.^[4]
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King!

^[1] whether you’re on the highest of mountain tops in life, or the lowest of valleys, no matter your situation, you can start your worship of God with this song
^[2] restated: my tribute brings me to His feet.
^[3] what a description of the journey of salvation! Each of these words is worthy of meditating on separately: Ransomed— per Mark 10:45, “He [Jesus] gave His life as a ransom.” God then healed us spiritually, so that we are no longer a slave to sin. He then restored us, so that we can enter His gates and presence. And lastly, he forgives us, when we miss the mark.
^[4] given that journey of salvation, we really should sing His praises forever.

_{stanza theme: praise His faithfulness}
² Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;^[5]
Praise Him, still the same as ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless.^[6]
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness!^[7]

^[5] refers to the patriarchs in the Old Testament—e.g. Abraham and Jacob faced significant sufferings, but God was faithful to them. (and He will be to us.)
^[6] God is a loving father. Like any parent, He disciplines us—it would be unloving of Him to not do so— and he also blesses us much beyond what we deserve. He is slow to anger, and has lavished us in love.
^[7] beautiful characteristics of God in this stanza: He is gracious, full of favor, unchanging, slow to anger, blesses bountifully, and faithful.

_{stanza theme: praise His mercy}
³ Father-like, He tends and spares us;^[8]
Well our feeble frame He knows.^[9]
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.^[10]
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

^[8] note the shepherd language. Shepherds tend to the flock, they spare sheep from disaster.
^[9] restated: He knows our weaknesses, having created us.
^[10] even though we disobey, out of His mercy he rescues us.

_{stanza theme: praising His nature}
⁴ Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish;
blows the wind and it is gone;^[11]
but, while mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the high eternal One.

^[11] restated: life is fragile

_{stanza theme: praising His grace}
⁵ Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.^[12]
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.^[13]
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace!

^[12] What a glorious thought this is: the praise we can express in these mortal bodies isn’t sufficient and that we have to ask the angels for their assistance, considering they behold Him face to face. What a beautiful situation to visualize.
^[13] restated: all creation will recognize and honor God

Author: Henry F. Lyte
Composer: John Goss
Meter: 8.7.8.7.8.7
Tune name: LAUDA ANIMA

¹ Rock of Ages^[1], cleft for me^[2],
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure^[3],
Save from wrath and make me pure.

^[1] a Biblical phrase; many verses that speak to how the Lord is the eternal Rock, fortress, deliverer, our stronghold to take refuge in, and the One who is the “rock” for His people transcending time
^[2] cleft = a shelter from a storm usually in a rock side that’s split or cracked open. In this case, Jesus’s pierced side providing shelter from judgment’s storm
^[3] “double cure of sin” = how we died with Him: we are saved from God’s anger because Jesus took the full punishment for our sins in our place, and we are made pure because His death breaks sin’s power over us.

² Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone^[4].

^[4] it is ultimately God who saves people, through the Holy Spirit. How beautiful that God gets the glory for us ending up in Heaven, instead of through anything we did.

³ Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress^[5];
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die^[6].

^[5] those who are saved are now clothed in Christ’s righteousness
^[6] memorize this and pray it often “O Lord, foul I fly to the fountain; wash me, Savior, or I die!” It acknowledges one missed the mark and helps to ask for forgiveness. While a spiritual fall can humble us, we don’t have to despair, because Christ can make us clean. The blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

⁴ While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne^[7],
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

^[7] How much do we look forward to seeing Jesus on His judgment throne. Where we can take shelter, just like a bird does under the wing of a parent.

Author: Augustus M. Toplady
Composer: Thomas Hastings
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7.7
Tune name: TOPLADY

¹ Take my life and let it be
Consecrated^[1], Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days -
Let them flow in ceaseless praise^[2],
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

^[1] consecrated = to be “set apart for a high purpose,” to be dedicated, devoted, to be sanctified.
^[2] restated: “take my time—and let it glorify and praise you.” Requires full surrender

² Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.^[3]

^[3] restated: take my movements—wherever I go, let it be motivated by God, and His love for His people. May this happen swiftly, without delay!

³ Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.^[4]

^[4] restated: take my voice—whether we speak with someone, or we make a joyful noise in song, let it filled with truth and love

⁴ Take my silver and my gold -
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose,
Every pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

^[5] mite = the smallest coin, a very little bit of money.
^[6] restated: take my resources—intellect and power—and allocate them as the Lord puts on one’s heart and creates opportunities.

⁵ Take my will and make it Thine -
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart - it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.^[7]

^[7] restated: take my will and make it Yours. My heart fully surrendered, with Christ ruling, so that You can direct my steps.

⁶ Take my love - my Lord - I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store; ^[8]
Take myself - and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.^[9]

^[8] a reference to when Mary, sister of Lazarus and Martha, anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume and used her hair to dry Him, as an act of love. The equivalent of how we can do that in the present day is to obey Him, instead of our own desires.
^[9] restated: take all of me.

Author: Frances Ridley Havergal
Composer: H. A. César Malan; O. D. Hall, Jr.
Meter: 7.7.7.7.7
Tune name: HENDON

¹ The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She^[1] is His new creation
By water and the Word^[2]:
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.^[3]

^[1] the Church
^[2] Ephesians 5: “Christ loved the church that He gave Himself up for her, and having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” The Bible is a powerful instrument God uses to cleanse and sanctify people, as they respond in faith and to the Holy Spirit.
^[3] imagine something of which the price is not expressible in monetary terms; you have to die for it, which you do out of love, so that we can enjoy that communion for eternity. That kind of love is incomprehensible.

² Elect from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,^[4]
Her charter of salvation:
One Lord, one faith, one birth;^[5]
One holy name she blesses,^[6]
Partakes one holy food;^[7]
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.^[8]

^[4] despite geographical divides, Christians enjoy fellowship with other believers through Christ and the church.
^[5] the blueprint of salvation and being part of the church: believing in Christ, there’s only one saving faith—there is no other name by which we can be saved, and no one comes to the Father except through Jesus.
^[6] refers to Jesus
^[7] refers to the Lord’s table
^[8] the hope it refers to is Christ’s return; and until that point, how we’re endowed and equipped with everything we need.

³ 'Mid toil and tribulation^[9]
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forevermore;^[10]
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.^[11]

^[9] the church’s hard work in a fallen world hostile to Christians
^[10] the ultimate peace that Christ’s return will facilitate—no more conflict, tears, or war
^[11] the hope that victory provides is part of what sustains Christians. It’s one of the pieces of the armor of God.

⁴ Yet she on earth has union
With God, the Three in One,
And mystic, sweet communion
With those whose rest is won;^[12]
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly^[13],
On high may dwell with Thee.^[14]

^[12] meditate: if you believe in Christ, and have e.g. family members who were believers and have passed, you enjoy communion with them through Christ.
^[13] meek and lowly = Christlike humility, willingly submitted to God. See the beatitudes.
^[14] this ending is a beautiful prayer. We should emulate those who have died and enjoy blessed rest with Christ. For example, there is no pride in Heaven. This takes a lot of grace, to ourselves, and to others. All with the goal of: so that we may “dwell with Thee.”

Author: Samuel J. Stone
Composer: Samuel S. Wesley
Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
Tune name: AURELIA

¹ This is my Father's world,
And to my list'ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world,
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas -
His hand the wonders wrought.^[1]

^[1] we can find tremendous peace by contemplating the beauty of creation and the deliberateness with which God made things.

² This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise;
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their Maker's praise.^[2]
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.^[3]

^[2] God reveals Himself through beauty; in this case, natural revelation.
^[3] refers to the Garden of Eden, and, how echoes of intimacy with God still exist when we look at creation and actively make an effort to be aware of His divine presence

³ This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.^[3]
This is my Father's world,
The battle is not done;
Jesus, Who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav'n be one.^[3]

^[3] what hope does that give us: God is sovereign.
^[4] we look forward to the day when this physical world is fully liberated and renewed. Until then, we can have confident joy in God’s fatherly care and control, because He is reigning.

Author: Maltbie D. Babcock
Composer: Franklin L. Sheppard
Meter: 6.6.8.6 D
Tune name: TERRA BEATA

Imagine being on a boat deck, passing over the spot where your daughters drowned hours earlier. And the following is what flows forth from your mind:

¹ When peace like a river attendeth my way,^[1]
When sorrows like sea billows^[2] roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."^[3]
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

^[1] God is the author of peace and always with us; Jesus intercedes on our behalf; the Holy Spirit prays with groanings deeper than words. Thus, providing a peace that transcends all understanding, attending to our needs.
^[2] billows = meaning large waves of the sea
^[3] no matter what the situation, our attitude is to be like Job’s: the Lord gives, the Lord takes away; blessed be His name. Salvation is the source of our joy, and should be our anchor and frame of reference.

² Tho' Satan should buffet^[4], tho' trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,^[5]
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. [Refrain]

^[4] buffet = to strike
^[5] restated: Christ took notice of us while we were still helpless, and died for us (Romans 5:6). This blessed assurance is to control how we face adversity: trusting in God’s providence and plan, no matter how painful the situation.

³ My sin - oh, the bliss of this glorious thought -
My sin - not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,^[6]
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! [Refrain]

^[6] We no longer have to carry the burden or penalty of sin, and can experience ecstatic joy of this reality amidst tremendous sorrows and trials. What such a soul will want to do is the next line: praise the Lord.

⁴ And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,^[7]
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,^[8]
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
"Even so" - it is well with my soul.^[9] [Refrain]

^[7] referring to when we are in Heaven, seeing Jesus face-to-face, free from sin, having been a faithful servant
^[8] Quoting Revelation 6:14
^[9] even in the midst of tragedy, even when the world ends, believers can say with confidence: “it is well with my soul.”

Author: Horatio G. Spafford
Composer: Philip P. Bliss
Meter: 11.8.11.8 with refrain
Tune name: VILLE DU HAVRE