If You But Trust in God to Guide You

If You But Trust in God to Guide You

Text written by George Neumark (1621-1681)

Sung to WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT, also composed by George Neumark

Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

Matthew 7:25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

V. 1 If you but trust in God to guide you

And place your confidence in Him,

You'll find Him always there beside you,

To give you hope and strength within.

For those who trust God's changeless love

Build on the rock that will not move.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

V. 2 What gain is there in futile weeping,

In helpless anger and distress?

If you are in His care and keeping,

In sorrow will He love you less?

For He who took for you a cross

Will bring you safe through every loss.

Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.

V. 3 In patient trust await His leisure

In cheerful hope, with heart content

To take what-e'er your Father's pleasure

And all-discerning love have sent;

Doubt not your inmost wants are known

To Him who chose you for His own.

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

V. 4 Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,

Offer your service faithfully,

And trust His word; though undeserving,

You'll find His promise true to be.

God never will forsake in need

The soul that trusts in Him indeed.

What a Wonderful Savior

What a Wonderful Savior

Text and music written in 1891 by Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929)

Romans 5:11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

1 Peter 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors.

V. 1 Christ has for sin atonement made,

What a wonderful Savior!

We are redeemed! the price is paid!

What a wonderful Savior!

Isaiah 6:9 He said, “Go and tell this people:

“ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’"

Refrain: What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus!

What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord!

Romans 5:10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

V. 2 I praise Him for the cleansing blood,

What a wonderful Savior!

That reconciled my soul to God;

What a wonderful Savior!

Refrain

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

V. 3 He walks beside me all the way,

What a wonderful Savior!

And keeps me faithful day by day;

What a wonderful Savior!

Refrain

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

V. 4 He gives me overcoming power,

What a wonderful Savior!

And triumph in each trying hour;

What a wonderful Savior!

Refrain

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise Him! Praise Him!

Text written in 1869 by Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)

Hymn tune composed by Chester G. Allen (1812-1877)

Proverbs 23:11 For their Defender is strong;

he will take up their case against you.

Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

V. 1 Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Sing, O earth--His wonderful love proclaim!

Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;

Strength and honor give to His holy name!

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,

In His arms He carries them all day long;

Refrain: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of his excellent greatness;

Praise Him! praise Him ever in joyful song!

Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 

V. 2 Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

For our sins He suffered, and bled and died;

He--our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,

Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus, the crucified.

Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,

Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong;

Refrain

Revelation 11:14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

V. 3 Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!

Heavenly portals, loud with hosannas ring!

Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;

Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!

Christ is coming over the world victorious,

Power and glory unto the Lord belong;

Refrain

Christ for the World

Christ for the World

Text written in 1869 by Samuel Wolcott (1813-1886)

Sung to ITALIAN HYMN, composed in 1769 by Felice de Giardini (1716-1796)

Psalm 103:2, 3 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.

1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 

V. 1 Christ for the world we sing;

The world to Christ we bring

With loving zeal;

The poor and them that mourn,

The faint and overborne,

Sin-sick and sorrow-worn,

Whom Christ doth heal.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

V. 2 Christ for the world we sing;

The world to Christ we bring

With fervent prayer;

The wayward and the lost,

By restless passions tossed,

Redeemed at countless cost

From dark despair.

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

V. 3 Christ for the world we sing;

The world to Christ we bring

With joyful song;

The newborn souls, whose days,

Reclaimed from error's ways,

Inspired with hope and praise,

To Christ belong.

God's Free Mercy Streameth

God's Free Mercy Streameth

Text written in 1871 by William W. How (1823-1897)

Sung to RUTH, composed in 1865 by Samuel Smith (1821-1917)

God's Free Mercy Streameth

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

V. 1 God's free mercy streameth

Over all the world,

And His banner gleameth,

By His church unfurled;

Broad and deep and glorious,

As the heaven above,

Shines in might victorious

His eternal love.

Ecclesiastes 11:7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

V. 2 Summer suns are glowing

Over land and sea;

Happy light is flowing,

Bountiful and free;

Everything rejoices

In the mellow rays;

Earth's ten thousand voices

Swell the psalm of praise.

Psalm 63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

V. 3 Lord, upon our blindess

Thy pure radiance pour;

For Thy lovingkindness

We would love Thee more;

And when clouds are drifting

Dark across the sky,

Then, the veil uplifting,

Father, be Thou nigh.

Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

V. 4 We will never doubt Thee,

Tho' Thou veil Thy light;

Life is dark without Thee,

Death with Thee is bright.

Light of light, shine o'er us

On our pilgrim way,

Go Thou still before us 

To the endless day.

Like a River Glorious

Like a River Glorious

Text written by Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

Sung to WYE VALLEY, composed by James Mountain (1844-1933)

Isaiah 48:18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.

V. 1 Like a river glorious

Is God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious

In its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth

Fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth

Deeper all the way.

Isaiah 26:3, 4 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

Refrain: Trusting in Jehovah,

Hearts are fully blest--

Finding, as He promised,

Perfect peace and rest.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

V. 2 Hidden in the hollow

Of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow,

Never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry,

Not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry

Touch the spirit there.

Refrain

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; 

pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

V. 3 Every joy or testing

Comes from God above,

Given to His children

As an act of live;

We may trust Him fully

All for us to do--

Those who trust Him wholly

Find Him wholly true.

Nearer, Still Nearer

Nearer, Still Nearer

Text written by Mrs. C. H. Morris (1862-1929)

Sung to MORRIS, composed in 1898 by Mrs. C. H. Morris

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—....

V. 1 Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,

Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art;

Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast,

Shelter me safe in that haven of rest,

Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

V. 2 Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,

Nought as an offering to Jesus my King--

Only my sinful now contrite heart;

Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart,

Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

V. 3 Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine;

Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,

All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride;

Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified,

Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified.

V. 4 Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last;

Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;

Through endless ages, ever to be,

Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee,

Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee.

A Mighty Fortress

A Mighty Fortress

Text written in 1529 by Martin Luther (1483-1546), translated in 1852 by Frederick H. Hedge (1805-1890)

Sung to EIN' FESTE BURG, composed in 1529 by Martin Luther

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

V. 1 A mighty fortress is our God,

A bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

Doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great;

And armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

James 5:4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 

V. 2 Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing,

Were not the right man on our side,

The man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He,

Lord Sabaoth His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment....

V. 3 And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo! his doom is sure,

No little word shall fell him.

Daniel 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

v. 4 That word above all earthly powers,

No thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours

Through Him who with us sideth;

Let goods and kindred go,

This mortal life also;

The body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

Take Time to Be Holy

Take Time to Be Holy

Text written in 1882 by W. D. Longstaff (1822-1894)

Sung to HOLINESS, composed in 1890 by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945)

1 Peter 1:16 ...for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

V. 1 Take time to be holy,

Speak oft with thy Lord;

Abide in Him always,

And feed on His word;

Make friends of God's children,

Help those who are weak,

Forgetting in nothing

His blessing to seek.

2 Corinthians 3:18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 

V. 2 Take time to be holy,

The world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret

With Jesus alone;

By looking to Jesus,

Like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct

His likeness shall see.

Psalm 23:3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

V. 3 Take time to be holy, 

Let Him be thy Guide,

And run not before Him,

Whatever betide;

In joy or in sorrow,

Still follow thy Lord,

And, looking to Jesus,

Still trust in His word.

V. 4 Take time to be holy,

Be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive

Beneath His control;

Thus led by His Spirit

To fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted

For service above.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Text written in 1855 by John M. Scriven (1820-1886)

Sung to CONVERSE, composed in 1868 by Charles C. Converse (1832-1918)

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Vs. 1 What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear;

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit,

O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

V. 2 Have we trials and temptations?

Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Can we find a friend so faithful,

Who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness;

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Psalm 27:10 Though my father and mother forsake me,

the Lord will receive me.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him,

for God is our refuge.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

V. 3 Are we weak and heavy laden,

Cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge,

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?

Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He'll take and shield thee,

Thou wilt find a solace there.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Sweet Hour of Prayer

Text written c. 1842 by William W. Walford

Sung to SWEET HOUR, composed in 1859 by William B. Bradbury (1816-1868)

Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

V. 1 Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, 

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me, at my Father's throne,

Make all my wants and wishes known!

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempters snare,

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

Psalm 27:8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

V. 2 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear

To Him whose truth and faithfulness

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His word, and trust His grace,

I'll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’

V. 3 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

May I thy consolation share

Till from Mount Pisgah's lofty height

I view my home and take my flight.

In my immortal flesh I'll rise

To seize the everlasting prize.

And shout while passing through the air,

"Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!"

At the Cross

At the Cross

Text written by Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Music composed by Ralph E. Hudson (1843-1901)

Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people.

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

V. 1 Alas, and did my Savior bleed:

And did my Sovereign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For someone such as I?

Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed."

V. 2 Was it for crimes that I have done,

He suffered on the tree:

Amazing the pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Refrain

V. 3 But drops of grief can ne'er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

'Tis all that I can do!

Refrain

God Will Take Care of You

God Will Take Care of You

Text written by Civilla D. Martin (1869-1948)

Music composed by W. Stillman Martin (1862-1935)

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

V. 1 Be not dismayed whate'er betide,

God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide,

God will take care of you.

Refrain: God will take care of you,

Through every day, o'er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

V. 2 Through days of toil when your heart doth fail,

God will take care of you;

When dangers fierce your path assail,

God will take care of you.

Refrain

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

V. 3 All you may need He will provide,

God will take care of you;

Nothing you ask will be denied,

God will take care of you.

Refrain

John 13:25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

V. 4 No matter what may be the test,

God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast,

God will take care of you.

Refrain

Does Jesus Care?

Today, for me, is a bittersweet day of remembrance.  My baby sister died 40 years ago today.  She never got to experience any firsts.  No first smile...first word...first steps.  No first Christmas, or first day of school, or first kiss.  No wedding, or first baby.  She was cruelly taken from us when she was just 3 weeks old.  I often wonder what she would be like.  I know we would have loved each other deeply.  Sisters are like that.  I miss her, and I can't wait for that joyous Resurrection Day, when I will see her guardian angel place her lovingly in the arms of my parents, and we will be re-united eternally.  I rejoice that I have a God who cares, and who paid the price for my sins so that I will be able to have my sister in my life.

Does Jesus Care?

Text written by Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919)

Tune composed by J. Lincoln Hall (1866-1930)

V. 1 Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth and song;

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Refrain: O yes He cares--I know he cares!

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Saviour cares.

V. 2 Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear:

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Refrain

V. 3 Does Jesus care when I've said good-bye

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks--

Is it aught to Him? does He see?

Refrain

Built on the Rock

Built on the Rock

Text written by Nikolai F. S. Grundvig (1783-1872), translated by Carl Doving (1867-1937) adapted

Sung to KIRKEN DEN ER ET, composed by Ludvig M. Lindeman (1812-1887)

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

V. 1 Built on the Rock the Church shall stand,

Even when steeples are falling;

Crumbled have spires in every land,

Bells still are chiming and calling

Calling the young and old to rest,

Calling the souls of those distressed,

Longing for life everlasting.

1 Kings 8:27 But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 

Acts 7:48 However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands....

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 

V. 2 Not in our temples made with hands

God, the Almighty, is dwelling;

High in the heav'ns His temple stands,

All earthly temples excelling.

Yet He who dwells in heav'n above

Deigns to abide with us in love,

Making our bodies His temple.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, 

there am I with them.

1 Peter 2:5 ...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

V. 3 We are God's house of living stones,

Built for His own habitation;

He fills our hearts, His humble thrones,

Granting us life and salvation.

Were two or three to seek His face,

He in their midst would show His grace,

Blessings upon them bestowing.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

V. 4 Yet in this house, an earthly frame,

Jesus His children is blessing;

Hither we come to praise His name,

Faith in our Savior confessing.

Jesus to us His Spirit sent,

Making with us His covenant,

Granting His children the kingdom.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

V. 5 Thro' all the passing years, O Lord,

Grant that, when church bells are ringing,

Many may come to hear God's Word

Where He this promise is bringing:

I know My own, My own know Me:

You, not the world, My face shall see;

My peace I leave with you. Amen.