A Story on the Hymn, “Standing on the Promises of God,” by William Petersen

When you are “standing on the promises,” you can be secure regardless of the premises. That was certainly true in the life of the author of this hymn, Kelso Carter.

Kelso Carter was a hard man to keep track of because he kept moving around. A star athlete, he returned to college after his graduation to become a professor of chemistry, natural science, civil engineering, and mathematics. Then he moved out West and raised sheep in California. After that, he practiced a different kind of shepherding and was ordained into the Methodist ministry. He spoke frequently in Methodist camp meetings when he wasn’t writing novels or mathematics and science textbooks. Later he returned to his home state of Maryland, studied medicine, and became a practicing physician in Baltimore.

When the Christian and Missionary Alliance asked him to help compile a hymnal for use in their churches, Carter gladly did so, personally contributing more than fifty poems and tunes to the hymnal.

Some people feel insecure when they are thrust into new jobs, new locations, or new circumstances, but not Kelso Carter. Regardless of the premises, he was “standing on the promises of God.”

Scriptures: Psalm 119:49; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Peter 1:4
Themes: Assurance, Security, Promises

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Thro’ eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Chorus:
Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior.
Standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior, as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
By R. KELSO CARTER (1849–1928)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 150-151). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” by William Petersen

The author of this hymn, William Williams, had been preparing for a career in medicine, but one Sunday morning he heard a man preaching in a Welsh churchyard. He responded in faith, and his life was drastically changed. For forty-three years, he preached and sang throughout Wales and became known as the poet laureate of the Welsh revival. Soon all Wales was singing their way to the coal mines and the soccer matches, and this became their favorite marching song.

In the hymn, Williams compares the Christian life to the Israelites’ trek through the wilderness. He refers to God feeding the children of Israel with manna, leading them with fire and a cloudy pillar, and finally guiding them across the Jordan River into Canaan.

Scriptures: Exodus 13:22; Exodus 16:15; Psalm 48:14; Isaiah 58:11
Themes: Guidance, Deliverance, Security

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield,
Be Thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee,
I will ever give to Thee.

By WILLIAM WILLIAMS (1717–1791)
Stanza 1 translated from Welsh by Peter Williams (1722–1796) Stanzas 2 and 3 probably translated by the author.

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 394). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story on the Hymn, “Another Year Is Dawning,” by William Petersen

Admittedly, most verses on greeting cards are not very memorable, so sometimes Frances Ridley Havergal, the well-known British hymnwriter, sent a New Year’s poem to her friends that she had written herself. In 1872, when she was thirty-six years old, she wrote “Another Year Is Dawning,” printed it on a specially designed greeting card, and sent it to her friends. Over it was the caption, “A Happy New Year! Ever such may it be!”

Havergal always gave God the credit for her work, and she liked to refer to God as her King. When she was asked about the process by which she wrote her hymns, she replied, “I believe my King suggests a thought, and whispers me a musical line or two, and then I look up and thank him delightedly and go on with it. This is how my hymns come.”

Scriptures: Exodus 33:13-14; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 90:12
Themes: New Year’s, Seasonal, Hope

Lyrics of the Hymn:
Another year is dawning; dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training for holier work above,
Another year is dawning; dear Father, let it be,
On earth or else in heaven, another year for Thee.
By FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL (1836–1879)

Tune of the Hymn:
https://tinyurl.com/ydytvmgn

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 168). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Happy New Year!

May this New Year be one of many blessings from above. May the Lord make you and your family a blessing to your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. 

“Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God.”

(William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions)