A selection of traditional and modern hymns. We've several hymns by the great 18th century Non-Conformist hymn writer Isaac Watts in this week's programme, as well as one by his friend, Philip Doddridge. There are also some more recently written hymns, including Margaret Rizza's Taizé-style chant Prayer for Peace and New Zealander Jocelyn Marshall's hymn God of Ages
Coventry Cathedral Interior, West Midlands, UK Photo: Diliff, Wikimedia Commons.
SONG: JESUS SHALL REIGN WHERE’ER THE SUN
Artist: St Michael’s Singers, Coventry, Paul Leddington Wright (dir), David Poulter (organ)
Words/Music: Watts/Anon
Recording: Kingsway KMCD 582
Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
does its successive journeys run,
his kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song,
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
Blessings abound where'er he reigns:
the prisoner leaps to lose his chains,
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
Let every creature rise and bring
the highest honours to our king,
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen.
SONG: GIVE TO OUR GOD IMMORTAL PRAISE
Artist: Coventry Singers
Words/Music: Watts/Harrison
Recording: Mission Praise
Give to our God immortal praise:
mercy and truth are all his ways;
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.
Give to the Lord of lords renown;
the King of kings with glory crown:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when lords and kings are known no more.
He built the earth, he spread the sky,
and fixed the starry lights on high:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.
He sent His Son with power to save
from guilt and darkness and the grave;
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.
SONG: GOD OF AGES
Artist: Viva Voce, John Rosser (dir), Michael Bell (organ)
Words/Music: J Marshall/C Marshall
Recording: NZ Hymnbook Trust 9413000
God of ages, times and seasons,
light that shines through all that lives,
yours the spirit which empowers,
yours the caring heart that gives
confidence to face the future,
strengthens faith when courage wanes,
challenges to new endeavours,
when we doubt, our hope sustains.
God of galaxies and planets
far beyond all human thought,
centuries, like pages turning,
are within your keeping brought.
You, the past that makes our present,
you the future still concealed,
yours the sacrificial giving,
boundless love through Christ revealed.
God, Creator, Holy Spirit,
Word made flesh in Christ, your Son
whose example we would follow
so that all might be as one –
ever loving, ever hopeful
of a world redeemed, restored;
people, by their faith united,
dedicated to their Lord.
God, the Alpha and Omega,
source of wisdom, life and breath,
you our highest motivation,
you the love that conquers death.
In past ages people sought you;
you are with us now as then.
In your hands we leave the future,
God, our ultimate Amen.
SONG: O GOD OF BETHEL, BY WHOSE HAND
Artist: Choir of St Chad’s Cathedral, David Saint (dir), Nigel Morris (organ)
Words/Music: Doddridge/Hutcheson
Recording: Priory 723
O God of Bethel, by whose hand
Thy people still are fed,
Who through this weary pilgrimage
Hast all our fathers led.
Our vows, our prayers, we now present
Before thy throne of grace;
God of our fathers, be the God
Of their succeeding race.
Through each perplexing path of life
Our wandering footsteps guide;
Give us each day our daily bread,
And raiment fit provide.
O spread thy covering wings around
Till all our wanderings cease,
And at our father’s loved abode
Our souls arrive in peace.
SONG: PRAYER FOR PEACE
Artist: St Thomas’ Music Group, Margaret Rizza (dir)
Words/Music: Margaret Rizza
Recording: Kevin Mayhew
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace,
let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe,
let peace fill our hearts,
our world, our universe,
peace, peace, peace.
SONG: IN CHRIST THERE IS NO EAST OR WEST
Artist: Cathedral Choral Society, Washington Cathedral
Words/Music: Oxenham/Trad
Recording: Gothic G49112
In Christ there is no east or west,
in him no south or north,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord
close-binding humankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be.
All children of the living God
are surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both east and west;
in him meet south and north.
All Christly souls are one in him
throughout the whole wide earth.
SONG: MY SHEPHERD WILL SUPPLY MY NEED
Artist: Cathedral Choral Society, Washington Cathedral
Words/Music: Watts/Trad
Recording: Gothic G49112
My shepherd will supply my need --
Jehovah is his name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed
Beside the living stream.
He brings my wand'ring spirit back
When I forsake his ways
And leads me, for his mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace.
When I walk thro' the shades of death
Thy presence is my stay;
One word of Thy supporting breath
Drives all my fears away.
Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
Thine oil anoints my head.
The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.
There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.
LEAD US, HEAVENLY FATHER, LEAD US
Artist: Sheffield Cathedral Choir
Words/Music: Baxter/Darwall
Recording: Priory PRCD 713
Lead us, heavenly father, lead us
o'er the world's tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our father be.
Saviour, breathe forgiveness o'er us;
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us;
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
yet unfearing, persevering,
to thy passion thou didst go.
Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
love with every passion blending
pleasure that can never cloy;
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
Artist: Choir of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Catherine Palmer (dir), Ronald Jordan (organ)
Words/Music: Williams/Hughes
Recording: Marquis
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 now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream shall flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through;
strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
be thou still my help 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.
This programme was first broadcast on 4 October 2015
