An Astounding Hymn 

Over the last couple of weeks, I have indulged in a little nostalgia. Finding it sometimes difficult to adjust to tunes in singing hymns in the Assembly gatherings, simply because of the different "precentors" and possibly the location. It is not that the tunes used are unfamiliar to me, but that when a hymn is "given out" I often have a tune in mind almost immediately. When a different tune is used it often takes me a little by surprise and I am sometimes a little disappointed. I have no idea if other saints experience this minor disappointment, but I imagine it might be more prevalent now with so many Assemblies having closed permanently due especially to the pandemic, forcing many to find their Assembly fellowship elsewhere.   

I rediscovered a lovely hymn while tidying up my numerous copies of  "Words in Season" that span decades! The hymn I am referring to begins, "Thou life of my life blessed Saviour."The hymn was written in the German language during the 17th Century by Ernst C. Homburg (1605-1681), and it was translated into English by a dear sister in the 19th Century, Mrs. Frances Bevan nee Shuttleworth (1827-1909). Apparently, in 1932 A.P. Gibbs (1890-1967) a beloved brother composed a beautiful melody for it, a tune much used today.

The "chorus" attached to the end of each verse is of particularly sweetness: 

"A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,

I bring my Lord Jesus to Thee."

As has been mooted the sentiment in English suggests one or perhaps two thousand thanksgivings. But in the old German version, the suggestion is that of a million, i.e. a thousand times a thousand! I am sure we all agree that even a million such thanksgivings fall infinitely short of the praise of which He is worthy.

The hymn may be found in full in "Hymns of Light and Love" no.73;  In the supplement of "Hymns for Christian Worship and Service" no.616; neither of which ascribes an author or translator. It also appears in "Waiting Praise" no.163 where it is wrongly attributed to a P. Billhorn?

Finally, just an aside, W.J. Pell writes "So perhaps long before the world was saying glibly, "Thanks a million," God's people were gratefully rendering to Him their "Thanks a million."

 His Obedience--His Death--His Cross

Philippians 2:8.

I have struggled to formulate expressions of utmost clarity and reverence in connection with a stanza within this ineffably sublime verse in the Word of God.

But this morning my thoughts were captivated by its wonder and I was compelled to ponder it afresh.

Of late there has been an oft-repeated interpretation of a part of this verse: "He ... became obedient until or up to death."

It is used in an attempt to negate the awful concept of Christ being obedient to the "thing" called death.

But this suggestion as to translation falls far short of the immeasurable extremity of His obedience.

The translation in the A.V. is not "obedient to death," as though death had the mastery of Him; but "unto death."

He did not "obey" death, nor succumb to it, but beckoned it to come, He commanded death, and death obeyed Him!

He plumbed the untold depths of death in His exclusively rare obedience: "This commandment have I received of My Father;" "I do always the things that are pleasing to Him."

John 10:18; John 8:29.

The immensity of His sufferings and the death He died are divinely expressed when we further read in that verse, "Himself ... becoming obedient unto death, and that (or, "even") the death of the cross." Philippians 2:8.

I fear that if such a suggestion of translation gains a hold it will seriously undermine the measure and the magnitude of His obedience, along with the reality of His death;

That death which is the grandest, most glorious truth of the Faith, and of our faith in Him.

 

These thoughts are mine alone, that is I do not know of any other brother addressing this matter; I personally accept all responsibility for this feeble effort to honour Christ Jesus.

I trust that my brethren will understand that I long that they may believe that I have written this in humility, and graciously too, would it please the Lord.

T.W.