Deciphering poetry in Hymns

Growing up I attended the local, popular Baptist church. While there were some modern choruses, the bulk of the service was taken up singing Hymns, accompanied by an impressive organ. That little green book...I can still visualise it, smell it, even the feel of the pages!

Since then I have become far more 'modern' in the style of worship I prefer and lead.

Nevertheless, I care for the theology we sing and many of the old hymns contain a more thoroughgoing appreciation of God, His character and activity than many of the more subjective reflective ditties composed today. (That's not to say we shouldn't use sung worship as an opportunity to connect head and heart, to seek God with our emotions!)

However, and this is a big however, I do think some of the language used in hymns can be quite obtuse. So today I'm making a request - I'd love to hear what people think about one of my favourite hymns, 'O Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness'.

Some of the language seems obscure, almost non-sensical (as this amusing reflection on the hymn contends). There is a poetic license employed, but we surely need to understand what we sing?

So... here's the hymn

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His Name!

Low at His feet lay thy burden of carefulness,
High on His heart He will bear it for thee,
And comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter His courts in the slenderness
Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine;
For truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the offerings to lay on His shrine.

These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
He will accept for the Name that is dear;
Mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His Name!

In particular I've highlighted the bits I'm a bit cagey on. What do you think?

Richard Baxter

Today's commemoration in the lectionary is for a chap I'd never heard of...Richard Baxter. Good old Wikipedia has a good article on him.

However, I was stunned to find a piece on Baxter by Leonard Ravenhill, who I have mentioned before as a truly inspirational preacher. Unsurprisingly, the piece (click here for piece) focuses on Baxter as a preacher. READ IT!

Ravenhill is concerned that those who preach do so with a passion to see people saved, but not cheaply. There has to be an agonizing over the souls of those preached to. Do we agonize over sin around us? Do we have a passion for the gospel?

I was surprised to note that 'Ye Holy Angels Bright' a hymn often sung on All Saints Day, was penned by Baxter. I really enjoyed learning this hymn last year and the words (as with most hymns) are inspirational:

Ye holy angels bright
Who wait at God's right hand
Or through the realms of light
Fly at your Lord's command
Assist our song
For else the theme
Too high doth seem
For mortal tongue

Ye blessed souls at rest
Who ran this earthly race
And now, from sin released
Behold the Savior's face
God's praisees sound
As in Hig light
With sweet delight
Ye do abound

Ye saints who toil below
Adore your heavenly King
And onward as ye go
Some joyful anthem sing
Take what He gives
And praise Him still
Through good and ill
Who ever lives

My soul, bear thou thy part
Triumph in God above
And with a willtuned heart
Sing thou the songs of love
Let all thy days
Till life shall end
Whate'er He send
Be filled with praise

Glorious Day!

Had this song sent to me...AWESOME!

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 8 of 9 - GENTLENESS

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5)

I am a deeply ungentle person. I often speak harshly, have a brash exterior and can come across as a super-confident, funny and self-assured person. I do not think I display much gentleness!

Having considered all that has come before, gentleness is not about being weak or wet, rather it is the natural conclusion of a life that is lived in reference to God's character and activity. When we acknowledge the love that drove God to give his Son, that we might know the joy of his presence forever as we have peace with him and one another, and in turn marvel at his patient waiting for all to come to him, an act of such kindness...well surely we must bow in worship and confess our unworthiness.

Gentleness is often translated as humility, or meekness.

Ah...meekness. Immediately one thinks of the insipid phrase, 'Jesus meek and mild'...tosh! Well, in os much as this paints a picture of a lip-wristed and woolly Jesus, one who is not assertive or energetic.

However, Jesus himself speaks of the beatitude of meekness. When we think of the blessed attributes (be-attitudes) we (much like the fruit) should think of them progressively (and all encompassing). We are poor in spirit when we acknowledge our need of forgiveness, which in turn leads to a state of mourning (for our sin), and so to meekness, those who'll INHERIT THE EARTH (Matthew 5:5).

Meekness here refers to our humility and trust of God.

This clashes most profoundly with power, and our attempts to control our life.

As I look at my life I can think of lots of ways I assert myself: I am ambitious, I used to gossip at work (which shows a degree of control as I know things about people), I have often withheld information at work as a way of maintaining control/power, and there have been occasions when I have deliberately left my mug to be washed by others when it was never part of their role, but I sought to feel powerful. I should also admit that my lateness is not only discourteous, but perhaps an attempt to feel important (see how they waited for me!!). This desire for control makes me selfish.

Paul speaks of gentleness as like a 'nurse with a child' (1 Thessalonians 2:7). The image is clear we are completely and totally given over to the needs of another.

So then...how might gentleness be seen more in my life?
- Do I actively put my wife's needs before my own? I am deeply challenged when I read Paul's command to "do nothing out of selfish ambition" but put everyone's needs before my own (Phil 2:3). There should be a moment each day where I simply ask myself - am I pushing myself forward, or am I serving others?
- Do I have violent thoughts? Yes - especially on the road. I need to develop a spirit of servanthood on the road - always help other drivers, bear with their mistakes...
- What of my witness? Peter asks that we deliver our testimony in a spirit of gentleness (1 Peter 3:16). This is so difficult - we need to offer people our witness in a way that makes it clear it is done caring for them, putting them first.
- Do I talk gently or do I stir up arguments? Hmmm...

So as we draw closer to Pentecost I am struck that my life needs so much more of the Spirit to help these attitudes develop. Of course, the Spirit also comes that I might better imitate Jesus who is our example par excellence.

Consider this - Jesus, who turned over the money-changers tables, making a whip to do this, who railed at the Pharisees, this Jesus describes himself as "gentle and humble of heart" (Matt. 11:29).

We are called to follow our Lord. Come Spirit and help me cling more to Jesus.

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 6 of 9 - GOODNESS

"The effects of the light are seen in complete goodness, and right living, and
truth" (Ephesians 5:9)

God is good - we sing and shout it!

Goodness is a moral attribute. But we must always remember that our morals come from God. He is the reference point for all morals - a final standard. We are made in His image, and are therefore, hard-wired to know what is good, or bad, right or wrong.

This is not about God's holiness - which is about his otherness. Holiness is purity from sin, and being separated from sin. In addition, holiness is about being devoted to God's honour.

Goodness is both part of God's nature and his actions. The spirit comes that we might more ably live lives in reference to God's goodness. The Spirit acts to cleanse our consciences and develop in us a deep sense of right and wrong.

"When we evaluate things in the way God created us to evaluate them, we will also approve what God approves and delight in things which he delights"

So...let us think briefly on where we struggle in this area.

Are we involved in anything that hinders growth in goodness becuase it makes it difficult to be separated from sin and devoted to God?
Am I actively invovled in anything I know is wrong?

Countdown to pentecost - Day 5 of 9 - KINDNESS

I can’t quite put into words how hard it is to continue to walk each day faithfully. I find it so hard to maintain a life of righteousness, a life free from the taint of sin. Blogging quickly becomes onerous and hard to fit in…or at least that’s how it feels. Which is a timely reminder that it is not my strength that is important. Each day I need to place my life and its concerns in God’s hands, asking that I be clothed with power. In our consideration of the Spirit we must not simply examine Him academically, but come petitioning for his loving support.

As we reach the mid-point in our preparations for Pentecost – day 5 of 9 - we are faced with the fruit of kindness. Alternative translations use gentleness, but in the main there is a high level of agreement that kindness is what God looks to see in our lives. The Message, however, uses the phrase ‘compassion in your heart’, which aids us in our understanding of what precisely kindness is.

Compassion, gentleness, mercy…

In Acts kindness is referred to describe several events: the healing of a lame man, God’s provision of rain in season, the centurion Julius allowing Paul, a prisoner, to pop off to see his friends, and the welcome given by the Maltese to the shipwrecked, shown in the building of a fire to warm them after clinging to bits of ship on the Mediterranean.

And it is this last act of kindness that perhaps sums up the call placed on us – to serve others. The examples in Acts are all remarkably practical – health, food, friendship and warmth.

Paul writes, “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32)

This is the requirement of kindness, to model the kindness God shows us in his provision: food, shelter, family, friends, forgiveness, the Spirit, His Word, and the promise of eternity in His presence. We should be kind, for God is kind. But sadly, I am almost daily overcome with a sense of how mean I can be. I withhold a smile, mutter and curse someone under my breath, speak insensitively to my wife, on it goes. God, however, knows our frailty, and so provides the spirit to strengthen us.

So in what ways should we be seeking to see the Spirit bring a fresh sense of kindness in our lives:

1. Kind words
I remember vividly the pneumonic, THINK, some years ago concerning the way we use our tongue; it is worth repeating. When we speak we should ensure what we say is filtered through a God-led quality assurance matrix – i.e. does what we’re saying match with the five point criteria:
True – are we lying in any way? If so, that is not Godly speech
Helpful – is what we’re saying serving others or is it likely to cause upset or confusion. Are we helping the other person, or by offering an explanation helping another?
Inspired – are we speaking God’s thoughts on the matter or our own, or worse repeating the lies of the enemy? Are we seeking to bring life?
Necessary – do we need say anything? It is worth remembering the old proverb that we have two ears and one mouth for good reason. Sometimes we offer the sacrifice of fools and speak too much
Kind – finally, is what we’re saying seasoned with love? Is it compassionate and merciful. For instance, when we have to communicate our anger or point out a flaw in another is it doe kindly or in a spirit of meanness?

2. Merciful forgiveness
When considering patience yesterday we are forced to admit we often lose our patience with others, we fail to bear with them.
Therefore, as we face the daily frustration of living with sinful humanity we should remember to show God’s kindness toward us, to those around us.
Are we harbouring any un-forgiveness or root of bitterness?
We are called to show God’s kindness in the way we forgive one another.

3. Simple acts
Finally, let us never seek to spiritualise our kindness.
We are kind in the things we do, as much as what is said. Indeed, God could have declared us forgiven, but instead he has shown us his kindness.
It may be helpful to start each day praying, “Lord, bring me someone today whom I can serve?” and we should always then be prepared regardless of our mood!
It might be holding a door for someone, saying Thank You, letting someone take a parking place in front of us, offering our lunch to someone else, preparing meals for the sick and infirm, visiting a lonely neighbour...there are many ways we can do this.

Above all we should be mindful that God’s kindness is shown on the cross – he is a lovingly kind Father who seeks to heal and forgive us. We cannot help ourselves we must rely on the kindness of another; therefore, we in turn must seek to serve those around us.

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Countdown to Pentecost - Day 3 of 9 - PEACE

The Fruit of the Spirit is all too often seen as some sort of Christian spotters list, or a bingo card: how many fruits do you have? We proclaim some Christians more 'Christian' because they display more of the fruits; indeed, on occasion we exempt ourselves from occasional fruits due to some character flaw, or worse still, a besestting sin. I'm sure I used to consider Self-control beyond my grasp.


The truth is that Paul describes the work of the Spirit as producing Fruit. Not Fruits, but fruit. This may seem like a semantic point (one made to me once after I had preached) but actually it's a point worth making.


We are one tree. We are rooted in Jesus alone, so it stands to reason that this one tree bears much (albeit) differing fruit.


The Spirit seeks to develop in us a Christian character. I think it is worth saying that our character does change. However, when people describe us they will talk about what characterises us - our personality, our habits, our outlook and perspective, our attitudes, as well as physical traits and achievements. So when the Spirit comes into our life, He intends that those around us will see all nine fruits - not five or six, or seven if we're lucky!

So on this third day we come to Peace. We can see peace in our lives in three ways: past, present and future. Before we consider these three aspects of the work of peace, we should pause to think about the myriad ways we are not at peace.

There is firstly, a sense that without peace in our hearts we are deeply unsettled, somehow incomplete and fractured. The sin in our lives makes us feel disjointed - perhaps at war with ourselves. We look out on a world wracked with war and violence, where sworn enemies never allow themselves to not think about hating another. So peace is about an absence of war.

Peace is also an absence of confusion or disorder. We look at our daily lives and sense the frantic energy that is often expended to keep our lives 'in order'...the bills, the meetings, the food and meals, the trips, the holidays, the savings, the poorly relatives, and on it goes. We get to the end of each day and wonder where all the time went - we feel incapable of pausing and enjoying the moment.

Peace then brings us both freedom from both war and disorder.

In terms of our past, we see peace in the forgiveness wrought for us. Without the work of Christ we would remain enemies of God. By his cross we are made friends of God - we are at peace with him. This forgiveness also requires a sense of 'letting go'; letting go of the guilt that clings, but also we are called to forgive in turn. The Spirit comes to free us from the bitterness that we cling to as we fail to forgive the long remembered offence.


In our present, we see peace in the daily sense of order in our life, the way we seek right relations with those around us (peacemakers).


We see peace in our attitude to the future. We can confidently, and joyfully, trust that God has a plan for our future.

So as we pause to meditate on the Spirit's benefits, we should look closely and confess where we fail to rely on the Spirit to bring peace. Maybe the following questions may help:
- Am I continually resentful and bitter toward another person, despite knowing I am forgiven and called to forgive?
- Are there people with whom I am at war?
- How is my emotional, mental and spiritual state?
- Does my life look ordered?
- Does the lack of order cause me to worry unneccessarily?
- With regard to money, am I budgeting, or planning my finances?

"The peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)