For many Christians this hymn has another tune. But in the church I grew up in, which no longer exists, How Firm a Foundation was sung to the tune of a Christmas carol, O Come, All Ye Faithful.
This, above, is the only example of it I could find. Yes, it’s only a piano playing. There is something to be said for simplicity: I believe the Lord likes it.
So find a magnifying glass for the lyrics, and sing along.
I didn’t understand, when I was in Sunday school, that the imagery of the second verse (“all the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea”) comes directly from the Book of Revelation. The rest of the lyrics also arise from the Bible.
I used to think this was just one of those tedious hymns adults liked to sing when they were showing off.
Now I know better; and as this hymn has been playing itself in my mind these past few days, I thought I’d like to share it with you.
If the Church ever needed to rise up, that time is probably now. Before our glorious national leaders make sodomy compulsory, or set up an image of Obama to be worshiped.
I chose this little version of the hymn because it’s easy to understand the words, albeit not so easy to understand the pictures.
All right, those who favor a wooden-headed literal interpretation of Romans 13 (“If the Powers that Be tell you to slaughter all the babies, then you gotta slaughter all the babies”) won’t like it.
But for the sane people out there, it’s time we thought seriously about the best way to rise up against the purposeful wickedness of our own Powers that Be.
P.S.–Upon further examination, this video seems to be a Mormon production. But I will let it be. The hymn is a Christian hymn, and that’s a fact.
Here’s another oldie–and boy, if we ever needed to walk by faith, if we ever needed to trust and obey, we need it now.
Our country has been taken into captivity by the very persons to whom we entrusted her care and maintenance. Thus God chastises His people for pride and sloth and lack of love, for getting fat and forgetting Him. Now wicked and despicable people lord it over us.
Let us hold these hymns as we grope our way through the darkness back to God.
This is another hymn I remember from my Sunday school days, before my church got all hypermodern and theologically bent out of shape. I’d be surprised if they still sang this one, ever.
I chose this plain and simple piano version, with printed lyrics so you can follow along.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
–Psalm 100: 1-2
Let’s face it–we’re going to need a mighty fortress now, and the mightiest fortress is our God.
The wicked are dancing in the streets this weekend, but be advised: everything they have raised up, God will bring down. The hour of their destruction is already marked on His schedule.
Let’s see how mighty their fortress is, when God lifts His hand against it.
(Note the man in the back row, with the little baby in his arms.)
This is another one of those old hymns that I love. I passed up what sounded like a Sergio Mendes & the Brasil 66 version in favor of normal people singing, with a piano.
But of course what really matters is to experience God’s presence. Open up. Let the music be as a hot bath after toiling in a cold rain. Let the words teach.
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands…
Here is a hymn that tastes of victory. I posted this version because it has nice visuals and you can follow the words; but what I really prefer, for this, is one big monster of an organ belting this out like a full broadside from the USS New Jersey.
What? You don’t like that simile? It might offend somebody?
I don’t care: I sing the mighty power of God.
Don’t get in His way.
Here’s another good old-fashioned hymn, one of my favorites: Draw Me Nearer, Blessed Lord.
Yes, this is another one which very deeply moves me. I have selected a simple instrumental version with printed lyrics.
Listen. Follow the words. Let it sink in.
God is nigh.
When I was 11 years old, my folks sent me to the YMCA camp in Blairstown, NJ, for two weeks in the summer. It upset me at first, but I soon got the hang of it.
On Sundays the camp had outdoor chapel service. The chapel was on a hilltop overlooking one of the most gorgeous views of rolling green hills and farmers’ fields you ever saw. I’ll never forget it. And the counselors’ choir sang this great old hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. It’s been one of my favorite hymns ever since: hard for me to hear it sung without my eyes getting teary.
The hills, the fields, the cloudless blue sky of that day, and the music, are all the gifts of God.
Enjoy them and give thanks.