The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Hymn of the week 27


We haven't had one of these for a while but this is good, especially the fourth verse. Samuel Medley (1738-1799) was a Baptist minister. After a false start as an apprentice, he joined the Roy­al Navy, becoming a midshipman in 1755. He was wound­ed in bat­tle off Port La­gos in 1759 and dur­ing his re­cup­er­at­ion read a ser­mon byIsaac Watts that led to his con­ver­sion. He then left the navy and studied for the min­is­try under Dr Gifford in Lon­don. In 1767, he be­came pas­tor at the Baptist church in Wat­ford. In 1772, he be­gan his min­is­try at Byron Street, Liv­er­pool. Several of his hymns are still sung today.

Awake, my soul, to joyful lays,
And sing thy great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song from me -
His lovingkindness, O how free!

He saw me ruined in the fall,
Yet loved me notwithstanding all;
He saved me from my lost estate -
His lovingkindness, O how great!

Though numerous hosts of mighty foes,
Though earth and hell my way oppose,
He safely leads my soul along -
His lovingkindness, O how strong!

When trouble, like a gloomy cloud,
Has gathered thick and thundered loud,
He near my soul has always stood -
His lovingkindness, O how good!

Often I feel my sinful heart
Prone from my Jesus to depart;
But though I have him oft forgot,
His lovingkindness changes not.

Soon I shall pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal powers must fail;
O! may my last expiring breath
His lovingkindness sing in death.

Then let me mount and soar away
To the bright world of endless day;
And sing with raptures and surprise,
His lovingkindness in the skies.

2 comments:

Family Blogs said...

Hi Gary,
Nice to see the return of the weekly hymn. A great experiential piece, full of Christ's glory. I've never sung this, could you tell me what tune or meter it goes to?

Gary Brady said...

We sang it to Mainzer (LM) but I noticed that cyberhymnal had it to something else extending the last line into more of a refrain