Songs that blessed me today

[Elizabeth]

I decided to start memorizing Psalms and learning hymns on Saturdays as kind of an offering and worship.  I suppose some might call it work, but it has been moving and meaningful so putting some up here that kind of hit me hard today. 

There are some old hymns that almost lay out the plan of salvation, and I also think the rhyming and melody are really good for kids to be able to catch onto and keep in their minds and hearts. I'm trying to fill my kid's minds with G-dly things to help overcome the evil around them.  Since, beginning doing this my daughter has went to sleep with her lights off and so I think it's possible that it's making a difference. I have been worried about her quality of sleep, and all that cycles out of control based on that, but didn't know how to address it.  I know G-d has stepped in to address something I didn't know how, and perhaps these things in her mind are a way He is helping.

There is some nostalgia on my part, I know, but I really do think these are songs worth keeping in our hearts and minds.  ( I had your son a bit in my mind too mystic because of our kid's similar struggles) I just think there's something pure and simple and powerful in many old hyms.  I also think they're  easier for kids to memorize, so I'm hoping they're there for them to draw strength from in whatever difficult moments they face. Maybe someone else will be encouraged and it makes sense for you're kids who have trouble memorizing or focusing too.

I'll just write the words and anyone whose interested can look up the music if they don't know it.   I am trying to sing and play more of this kind of music for and around my kids because I know it will stick with them without them even trying.  G-d has given me a heart and conviction for encouraging people to teach their children lately so sharing this because of that as well.  When they don't know how to pray or come before G-d or hasatan is shaming them, something as simple as this may make it a lot easier to pick up a Bible or pray.

Jesus Paid it All
I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small, 
Child of weakness watch and pray, find Me in thine all and all
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

L-rd now indeed I find, Thy power, and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots, and melt the heart of stone
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I, whereby Thy grace to claim
I'll wash my garments white, in the blood of Cavalry's Lamb.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.


Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior
Pass me not, O gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry;
while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy, find a sweet relief
Kneeling there in deep contrition, help my unbelief
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Trusting only in Thy merit, would I seek Thy face
Heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by Thy grace
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me
Whom have I on earth beside Thee, Whom in heaven but thee?
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry; while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.

[alon]

I remember years ago going to a Catholic funeral and I discovered they had a hymnal with many of the songs we sang. I don't know why it would surprise me but it did. Of course there were some we didn't have because they were based on doctrines that conflicted with the Southern Baptist doctrines. 

I really think it is a mistake for Messianics to throw out all of the old hymns just because some of them contain a message with false doctrinal teachings. All don't, and many have a powerful message. Before leaving Christianity I thought it was a mistake to go to the simplistic, repetitive "praise songs" and throw out completely the old songs. Praise songs have their place, but to just do them and nothing else is to whip up peoples emotions, not to worship God.

It's interesting you've started this exercise in the Psalms. I am studying them right now. One of the things I learned is the Psalms are of 5 general types:

Praise- for who and what God is, and for what He's done
Lament- crying out for help or mercy
Thanksgiving- like praise, but specifically gives thanking God
Coronation- written to or about a king, usually for his coronation
Ascent- people would ascend Mt. Zion to give sacrifices; these were probably songs they would sing while "going up"

The songs we sang could also be placed into one of these categories. The songs you listed would be:
Jesus Paid it All- Thanksgiving
Pass Me Not O Genle Savior- Lament

Psalms must be read contextually, as they were written specifically Sitz im Leben (Seting in Life), a German term used to say they were written purposely to help in specific situations in life encountered by the psalmist. They, like some of the more contemporary songs evoke emotions and contemplations which can help us through many things we are experiencing.

I used to give the Psalms short shrift, but I think that was a mistake. They teach us how to worship and how to relate to God. Again, as many contemporary songs do. 

I love Messianic music. I'm able to worship with much better than with other types. But Rabbi said something yesterday; "There are a lot of big name Messianic musicians out there right now, but none of them are observant." With that, and the many types of Messianism that have sprung up we have to be careful of the songs we sing anyhow. Many will contain bad doctrine. So why throw out some of the old songs that don't have bad doctrine? They are no different than Messianic worship songs in that respect.

Dan (just my opinion) C 

[Elizabeth]

I agree, don't ignore the Psalms.

I think G-d finds joy in remembering the people who wrote these Psalms and songs through us singing and praying them. I also feel maybe it amounts to another reward in heaven for them. They're still blessing and then accomplishing though they're gone, so I think He counts us in their accomplishments.

It's pretty amazing when you think about it. I think there's a Kingdom type of unity when we praise G-d with the praises of His people who existed before us. I think it brings them to His mind and all the others since then that were blessed by them, and then He sees us still fighting the good fight here on earth with their help, so I believe it's really full and pleasing to Him.

[Elizabeth]

This is one that struck me today. Honestly it becomes like a prayer to me, and seems to be a way I can feel a part of the community of believers somehow. It brings so much to mind between G-d and I.  Then, it comes to be about the larger community of believers and just joy over what's in store for us. So I'm just sharing because it made me happy over us.

I can remember one phrase from this song that as a little girl I would just latch onto, and that one phrase from when I was little stuck with me....."ponder anew what the Almighty can do".  I loved that phrase, and that's the only phrase I remembered from the whole song, but that's pretty cool when you think about it because that's also pretty much where we end up every time we think about G-d wholeheartedly.  We end up just happy about what He has done and can do, and filled with confidence and hope.

So our children hear and notice things with G-d.  They may not realize why or the significance,  but He can keep it in their heart. He doesn't need our help so we can just hand it to them easily, even unintentionally, but He does something with it we can't do.

I just feel encouraged to know we don't have to be able to explain everything in some attempt at great profound wisdom.  We don't have to give them a power point presentation of what they should do with everything we teach them. G-d is with us in teaching our kids, and He knows exactly what to do with what we hand them.

I used to kind of hold back on passages I thought were beyond them, but now I think I will just read it without my own commentary, trusting Him when I don't know how to teach it. Just let it be between them and Him, or whatever questions come up, He can help me answer. Maybe He wants to just teach them to wait, think, and pray about it. Maybe He just wants something just between Him and them, and I'm just there to hand it to them. When you think about it, it doesn't matter who we're talking to or what age they are. Every time we share the Word with someone, we're handing them something more than we can explain or tell them what to do with. 


Praise to the L-RD, the Almighty
Praise to the L-RD, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the L-RD, Who o're all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen, how thy desires e're have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the L-RD, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily atend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the L-RD, O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him. Amen.