Morning Hymns

In the past few years I have really come to love hymns. I love rediscovering ones that I've long forgotten. There is something about singing the words for the "first" time again. They become a prayer for me, bringing me into a deeper appreciation for and knowledge of God, bringing my soul upward to the foot of God's throne.

As Sabbath arrives here in my sphere of the world, I thought to welcome it in the same way I begin my morning with God. And that is with hymns.

First I sing a hymn of praise. There is just something about starting your day with these words:

The Lord in Zion Reigneth, And who so great as He?

The depths of earth are in His hands; He rules the mighty sea.

O crown His name with honor, And let His standard wave,

Till distant isles beyond the deep shall own His power to save.

Or:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! [...]

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shieldeth thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! [...]

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.

Then, I always like to sing a song about the second coming. These types of songs help me put my life in proper perspective. They cause me to think about the early Adventist pioneers; how their lives were so focused on this coming reality. They serve as a reminder to me of where my mind and heart should ever be focused on as well.

The golden morning is fast approaching; Jesus soon will come

To take His faithful and happy children to their promised home.

O, we see the gleams of the golden morning piercing through this night of gloom!

O, we see the gleams of the golden morning that will burst the tomb.

The gospel summons will soon be carried to the nations round;

The Bridegroom then will cease to tarry and the trumpet sound.

Attended by all the shining angels, down the flaming sky (can't you picture it?)

The Judge will come, and will take His people, where they will not die.

There those loved ones who have long been parted, will all meet that day;

The tears of those who are broken-hearted will be wiped away.

O, we see the gleams of the golden morning piercing through this night of gloom!

O, we see the gleams of the golden morning that will burst the tomb.

And finally, this song has become a special prayer for me, a charge to "keep the way clear!" I sing it, not as a claim, but as representing the place I hope to one day be with God's ever-constant grace.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior, naught of this world's delusive dream:

I have renounced all sinful pleasure--Jesus is mine! There's nothing between.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen;

Nothing preventing the least of His favor: Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure: Habits of life, though harmless they seem,

Must not my heart from Him ever sever--He is my all! There's nothing between.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen;

Nothing preventing the least of His favor: Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Nothing between, even many hard trials, though the whole world against me convene;

Watching with prayer and much self-denial, triumph at last, with nothing between!

Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen;

Nothing preventing the least of His favor:

Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.