Lifespring! HymnStories

 

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Carl Boberg, a 26-year-old Swedish minister, wrote a poem in 1885 which he called “O Store Gud” (”O Mighty God”). The words, literally translated to English, said:

When I the world consider
Which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word
And how the web of life Thou wisdom guideth
And all creation feedeth at Thy board.
Then doth my soul burst forth in song of praise
Oh, great God,
Oh, great God!

His poem was published and “forgotten”, or so he thought….

Listen to the show to hear the rest of the story.

Today’s Music

Instrumental Version

Judson Hurd

Vocal Version

Steve Amerson
“How Great Thou Art/Be Exalted” (mp3)
from “Hymns and Gospel Songs”
(Amerson Music Ministries)

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Take Two

Revisiting the story behind “Jesus Loves Me”, perhaps the best known children’s hymn of all time. The reason we’re doing this is that, when I did it in HymnStories #2, I didn’t have a version of the music with the lyrics that was cleared for play in a podcast. Now that more music is available, I felt it was time to bring it back.

Jesus Loves Me

Lyrics: Anna B. Warner
Music: William B. Bradbury

Verse 1
Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.

Verse 2
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Verse 3
Jesus take this heart of mine,
Make it pure and wholly Thine;
Thou has bled and died for me,
I will hence-forth live for Thee.

Verse 4
Jesus loves me! He will stay,
Close beside me all the way;
He’s prepared a home for me,
And someday His face I’ll see.

Music In This Episode

Vocal Rendition

James Morrison
“Jesus Loves Me” (mp3)
from “James Morrison: Gospel Collection Volume One”
(Classic Fox Records)

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Instrumental Version

Special thanks to Larry Elliot for allowing me to use his version in the show.

 

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Away In A Manger Was written in 1887, and is commonly known as “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” But did the great German Reformer, Martin Luther, really write the words? Did he sing them by the cradle of his little son, Hans?

Listen to the show for a possible answer.

This hymn is beautifully performed by David Phelps, from his wonderful Christmas CD/DVD set “O Holy Night.”

Away In A Manger

Lyrics: Anonymous
Music: James R. Murray

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.

 

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The Lifespring! show has once again been nominated for a People’s Choice Podcast Award! The award organizers are encouraging everyone to vote ONCE A DAY from October 23, 2008 through November 6, 2008 for all of their favorite shows. Please vote each day for Lifespring!, and all your favorite shows. Voting is at http://PodcastAwards.com. Thank you!