A story of the hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, King of Creation!” by William Petersen

As a student in Bremen, Germany, Joachim Neander lived a godless life. Although both his father and grandfather were Lutheran ministers, Neander wasted his teenage years in immorality. Then, when Neander was twenty, a preacher named Under-Eyke came to Bremen. Neander went to the meeting intending to ridicule the preacher, but instead he was converted.

Four years later he became headmaster of a school in Düsseldorf, and during his time there he wrote more than sixty hymns. Because of his strong Christian views and his evangelistic activities, Neander displeased the authorities and was later removed from his position.

Despite the tensions, he went on writing hymns of praise. Neander often wandered through the valleys and hills near Düsseldorf, communing with his Lord. After losing his position at the school, he lived for a time in a cave and continued writing hymns. Neander died very young, at the age of thirty, but he left behind a legacy of praise to God.

Scriptures: Psalm 67:3; Psalm 103:1-5; Colossians 1:15-20

Themes: Praise, Worship, Comfort

Lyrics of the Hymn:

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

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

All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;

Join me in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shieldeth thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

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

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!

Let the amen sound from His people again;

Gladly forever adore Him.

By JOACHIM NEANDER (1650–1680) Translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827–1878)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 66-67). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A story of the hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” by William Petersen

Henry van Dyke was serving as a guest preacher at Williams College, in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, when he was so moved by the beauty of God’s creation that he wrote this hymn of joy. The next morning, he handed the poem to the college president. “Here is a hymn for you,” he said. “Your mountains were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethoven’s ‘Hymn to Joy.’” And it has been ever since.

Van Dyke was not only a Presbyterian minister, but he was also the author of many books, including the best-selling The Other Wise Man. He was a professor of literature at Princeton University, navy chaplain during World War I, and an ambassador to Holland and Luxembourg under President Woodrow Wilson.

When van Dyke published this hymn in 1911, he noted that it was to be sung by people who “are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy their religion or that any revolution on earth will overthrow the kingdom of heaven.” With such confidence, Christians have much to rejoice about.

Scriptures: Psalm 98; Habakkuk 3:17-19; Philippians 4:4-7

Themes: Creation, Joy, Praise

Lyrics of the Hymn:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,

Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,

Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee,

Center of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain,

Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Wellspring of the joy of living,

Ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother,

All who live in love are Thine;

Teach us how to love each other,

Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus,

Which the morning stars began;

Father love is reigning o’er us,

Brother love binds man to man.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music leads us sunward

In the triumph song of life.

By HENRY VAN DYKE (1852–1933)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 43-44). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A Story of the Hymn, “I know Whom I have Believed” by William Petersen

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That’s what we say when job hunting, but it’s also a foundational Christian truth. You can study an entire lifetime to try to discover who God is and how to reach him. But it all comes down to one question: Do you know Jesus?

As a POW during the Civil War, Daniel Whittle began reading the New Testament his mother had given him as he marched off to war, and he committed his life to Jesus Christ.

After the war, Whittle was promoted to the rank of major and then became a successful businessman. In 1873 he began preaching in evangelistic services, and for a quarter century he led revivals throughout the United States. He also encouraged some of the leading songwriters of his time and wrote many hymns himself, including “Showers of Blessing” and “Moment by Moment.” Whittle penned this hymn in 1883, perhaps thinking back to questions he had asked during his imprisonment. There were still many things he didn’t know, but he certainly did know Jesus.

Scriptures: John 14:6; Romans 8:38; 2 Timothy 1:12

Themes: Confidence, Trust, Faith

Lyrics of the Hymn:

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

To me He hath made known,

Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

Redeemed me for His own.

But “I know whom I have believed,

And am persuaded that He is able

To keep that which I’ve committed

Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith

To me He did impart,

Nor how believing in His Word

Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin,

Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come,

At night or noonday fair,

Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him,

Or “meet Him in the air.”

By DANIEL WEBSTER WHITTLE (1840–1901)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 338-339). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Two Kings with Two Kinds of Lifestyles!

King Saul and King David were both leaders of the nation of Israel. The former chose a lifestyle of disobedience and the latter a lifestyle of obedience to God. For instance, according to 1 Samuel 15, when Saul went to battle the Amalekites God gave him instructions to destroy everything, yet he and his soldiers brought back sheep and cattle as plunder.

When confronted by Samuel about this sin, Saul argued that he had done so in order to sacrifice them to God.  But Samuel reminded Saul that “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22b). By disobeying God’s instructions, Saul went down the path of rebellion and God rejected him as the king of Israel.

Following the rejection of King Saul, David was anointed as the second King of Israel. There were several times when David did things that were displeasing to God. One of the grave sins he committed was the sin of adultery with Bathsheba, which he sought to cover in multiple ways. But because his choice was a lifestyle of obedience, David repented of the sin and asked God to create in Him a clean heart, so he might teach transgressors the ways of the Lord (Psalm 51:10-13). Clearly, King David is remembered to have trod the path of righteousness.

There are two testimonies in the Bible that underscore that David’s choice of a Godly life was a good one and that we should emulate his example. First, David himself testifies in Psalm 23 that God is his Shepherd who refreshes his soul and leads him in the paths of righteousness.  Second, God Himself after rejecting Saul, testifies of King David with these great words: “…'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'” (Acts 13:22, NIV). David humbled himself when rebuked by God’s prophet, showing how God’s man (and woman) humbly submits to the authority of God’s Word. May we be those who choose to obey God and live a life of Godliness so that sin may not mislead us.

A story of the doxology, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow,” by William Petersen

In 1673 Anglican bishop Thomas Ken wrote a prayer manual for the students at Winchester College. The book contained a hymn for the morning, one for evening, and one for midnight. Students were admonished to sing the morning and evening hymns devoutly—though apparently the midnight hymn was seldom used! All three hymns concluded with the same stanza, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow”—the most-sung hymn lyrics in the English language. 

Thomas Ken knew well that it is difficult to end some days with a doxology of praise. Orphaned as a boy, he was adopted by a noted scholar and author. He was ordained in the Church of England and became chaplain to Princess Mary of Orange. But when he spoke against the immorality of the royal court, he soon found himself without a job. Later he was imprisoned in the Tower of London by James II for refusing to read the king’s Declaration of Indulgence. Still, it is said that Bishop Ken continued to use his morning and evening hymns in his personal devotions. 

Years earlier at Winchester College, he told the students, “It is a very good thing to tell of the loving-kindness of God in the morning and of his truth in the night season.” And it is a good habit for all of us.

Scriptures: Psalm 3:5; Psalm 22:27-28; Psalm 63:6-8 

Theme: Praise, Evening Hymn, Confession 

Lyrics of the Hymn:

All praise to Thee, my God, this night,

For all the blessings of the light!

Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,

Beneath Thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for Thy dear Son,

The ill that I this day have done,

That with the world, myself, and Thee,

I, when I sleep, at peace may be.

O may my soul on Thee repose,

And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close,

Sleep that may me more vigorous make

To serve my God when I awake.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

By THOMAS KEN (1637–1711)

Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 11). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A story of the worship song, “Give Thanks” by William Petersen

Some people may say, “You wouldn’t be able to give thanks to God if you had the problems I have.”

Well, consider the story of Henry Smith, the man who wrote the worship song “Give Thanks.” Despite a degenerative eye disease, Smith made it through college and even through seminary, but soon he was declared legally blind. Unable to get a pastorate or any long-term employment, he went back home and worked at various odd jobs to support himself. 

What did the future hold for Henry Smith? He says, “I remember being extremely thankful, and I remember my pastor quoting 2 Corinthians 8:9, that Christ, though he was rich, became poor for our sakes that we might become rich in him. So, Henry wrote a song about the situation: “Give Thanks.”

Today Henry runs a recording studio and plays bass for his church worship team. Because of his lack of eyesight, he depends on his memory to get the right chords. Regarding his blindness, he says, “It slows me down, but it doesn’t stop me.” Give thanks.

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 5:20-21; Philippians 2:7-8
Themes: Thankfulness, Praise, Worship 

Lyrics of the Song:
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
Give thanks to the Holy One; 
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. 

And now let the weak say, “I am strong!”
Let the poor say, “I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us.”
Give thanks.
By HENRY SMITH JR. © 1978 BY INTEGRITY’S HOSANNA! MUSIC/ASCAP All rights reserved. Used by permission

Reference for the Song:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 658-659). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A story of the hymn, “And Can It Be?” by William Petersen

Charles Wesley had strict religious training at home, started “Holy Clubs” in college to promote righteous living, and went as a missionary to Native Americans after college. But he was not converted. Charles had no peace in his heart. One day in 1738, he met with a group of Moravians in Aldersgate Hall in London, and there he came to realize that salvation was by faith alone. In his journal of May 21, he wrote, “At midnight I gave myself to Christ.” His brother John was converted shortly after. 

Two days later, he began writing two hymns. Both of them told of his conversion. At first, he wasn’t sure he should finish them. Was it pride, he wondered, to talk about his own experience? But then, he said, “I prayed Christ to stand by me, and finished the hymns.” Yes, it may have described his own experience, but it is also the experience of millions of others who have come by faith to Jesus Christ. In his lifetime he wrote between five and six thousand hymns, but this hymn stands as one of his most powerful and most profound. 

Scriptures: Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1-3; Hebrews 9:11-12; 1 Peter 1:18-19 
Themes: Conversion, Love, Grace, Forgiveness 

Lyrics of the Hymn:
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? 

He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.

’Tis mystery all! th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
 ’Tis mercy all! let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more. 

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke—the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee. 

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
CHARLES WESLEY (1707–1788)

Reference for the Hymn:
Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (pp. 472-473). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.