By William Petersen
As
a child raised in a rural log cabin in Pennsylvania, Philip Bliss loved music.
The only musical instrument he owned was a flute his father had whittled for
him from a cane. Philip hoped to buy a cheap violin, so he picked a basket of
berries in the swamps and sold them door-to-door. Hearing the music of a piano
coming from one house, Philip went to the door and listened, but the pianist
told the barefoot ten-year-old to go away.
Two
decades later, Philip Bliss was directing the music in evangelist Dwight L.
Moody’s evangelistic campaigns, where Bliss had become known for his singing
voice and for the gospel songs he wrote.
When
Moody’s brother-in-law, Fleming H. Revell, was launching a new religious
periodical, to be called Words of Life, he asked Philip Bliss to write a song
for the first issue. Revell suggested both the title “Words of Life” and the
text, John 6:67-68. In these verses Jesus sees many of his followers walking
away and asks his inner core of twelve: “You do not want to go away also, do you?”
Peter replies, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life”
(NASB). As Revell requested, Bliss wrote the gospel song, “Wonderful Words of
Life.”
Scriptures: Psalm 119:103-105; John 6:67-68; John 8:31-32
Themes: Scripture, Salvation, Comfort
Scriptures: Psalm 119:103-105; John 6:67-68; John 8:31-32
Themes: Scripture, Salvation, Comfort
Lyrics of the Hymn:
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of Life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of Life.
Words of Life and beauty,
Teach me faith and duty:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of Life. (Repeat.)
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all,
Wonderful words of Life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of Life.
All so freely given,
Wooing us to Heaven:
Sweetly echo the gospel call,
Wonderful words of Life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of Life.
Jesus, only
Savior, Sanctify forever.
PHILIP PAUL BLISS (1838–1876)Reference for the Hymn Story:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 152-154). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Thank you Smilin' Sam! :-)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the read as an inspiration for my day. May we follow the nudgings of the Holy Spirit today.
Amen! Thank you for stopping by, Kees! I'm so thankful for those who listened to the Lord and wrote the songs we sing today. Have a blessed day, brother!
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