hymn

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 KJV).

While searching for the words of a song to go along with the Christmas story, I came across the beautiful words of another. “How Sweet the Name of Jesus” is not a carol, but it explains why we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Let me introduce you to the author.

The Author

When you hear the name John Newton, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I think of three things. Slave trader, abolitionist, and“Amazing Grace.” When I searched his name, I found the following:

He was a pirate.
He was pressed into the Navy.
He was flogged for his poor conduct.
He was given to a slave trader’s wife.
If not for other slaves feeding and clothing him, he could have perished.
He dealt in the slave trade.
He repented on a ship one night during a storm.
He became an abolitionist.
He wrote 281 hymns.

When I look at that list, I think of the above verse. “For he shall save his people from their sins.” One can clearly see God’s grace in Newton’s life. Let’s take a look at what the man thought about God’s grace and the gift of His Son.

The Song

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear,
And drives away his fear.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest,
And to the weary rest.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never-failing treasure, filled
With boundless grace!
With boundless grace!

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20).

Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring,
Accept the praise I bring.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

How Sweet the Name of Jesus | John Newton | Public Domain

Your Turn

How do you like the words to the song? Do they remind you of Christ’s birth? His gift of Salvation? What names would you add? What scripture?

Further Reading

To learn more about John Newton, visit:
museumofthebible.org
pbs.org
1517.org
christianhistoryinstitute.org
cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk
On Amazon: Out of the Depths, The Autobiography of John Newton

Let All the People Praise Thee

/ Gail Johnson / 11 Comments

And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long (Psalm 35:28).

The Song

1) Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
Ye people of His choice,
Let all to whom He lendeth breath
Now in His name rejoice.
For love’s blest revelation,
For rest from condemnation,
For uttermost salvation,
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good (Psalm 54:6).

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).


For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).

CHORUS
Let all the people praise Thee.
Let all the people praise Thee!
Let all the people praise Thy name
Forever and forevermore.

2) Oh, praise Him for His holiness,
His wisdom, and His grace;
Sing praises for the precious Blood
Which ransomed all our race.
In tenderness He sought us;
From depths of sin He brought us;
The way of life then taught us.
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelations 4:11).

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12).

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).

3) Had I a thousand tongues to sing,
The half could ne’er be told
Of love so rich, so full and free,
Of blessings manifold,
Of grace that faileth never,
Peace flowing as a river
From God, the glorious Giver
To Him give thanks.

Reasons to Praise Him

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:3-4).

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace (Psalm 29:11).

Let All the People Praise Thee | Mrs. C. H. Morris | Public Domain

As we approach the Thanksgiving holidays, may we find more and more reasons to praise Him!

A Closer Walk

/ Gail Johnson / 20 Comments

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps (Proverbs 16:9 KJV).

Life

Remember those plans I shared earlier? I did not complete everything, but I finished the most important tasks on my to-do list.

Spending time with Jesus.
Studying the book of James with my daughter.
Finishing edits on my novel.

I am pleased with this summer despite being sick for several weeks. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed digging into the book of James. And I’m still rummaging through it. James’ words to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” stirred a greater desire to draw closer to my Lord.

The Song

As we studied and prayed, the hymn “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” came to mind. Have you heard it? I have sung and played this song for years. But I never noticed the top of the page until this week. When searching my hymnals this week, I was surprised to find the words and music attributed to an anonymous author. So we can only guess what the author was thinking and feeling while writing the words.

Disappointed, I searched the title online. Rather than find the author, I found the man who made the song famous. Horace C. Boyer wrote the story of Kenneth Morris and the well-known hymn in How Sweet the Sound.

While resting at a train station in 1940, songwriter Kenneth Morris heard a porter singing “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” The song stuck. Morris continued his journey but was unable to forget the lyrics. At the next train station, he purchased a return ticket. When he arrived back at the station, he found the porter and asked him to sing the song again so he could write down the words. He added more lyrics and later published the song that same year. Morris gave the porter credit in a line below the title.

“As sung by Mr. William B. Hurst of Kansas City. Mo.”

In 1944, he took it to the National Baptist Convention, and everyone loved it. The song has been recorded by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, Bob Dillon, Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Ike and Tina Turner, Mahalia Jackson, Sara Evans, Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton, Anne Murray, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Randy Travis, Lynda Randle, The Jackson Southernaires, Charley Pride, BJ Thomas, Connie Smith, The Jordanaires, Jimmy Swaggart, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

As you can see, it has been sung to diverse audiences. From New Orleans to Nashville to New York City. From country to gospel to jazz to rock and roll. I found that amazing. Let’s take a look at the lyrics.

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

(Truth)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

During seasons of trials and temptations, our weaknesses are revealed. But there is power in the name of Jesus. Through His blood, we can triumph over the enemy! The key is to study the Bible, pray daily, and walk by His side on the straight and narrow path.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea.
Daily walking close to the Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

(Truth)
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).
Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths (Psalm 25:4).
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies (Psalm 25:10).

When we ask for guidance, the Lord will direct us on the right path, leading us away from trouble.

Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

(Truth)
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).

At times, it may seem like we are alone. No one seems to understand how we feel or what we are going through. However, there is one who knows all.

When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.

(Truth)
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you (Isaiah 46:4).

We need not worry about being abandoned in old age. God reminded His people that He was God. He had not changed. He had watched over them in the beginning. He would watch over them until the end. He created them. He was strong enough to carry them. The Lord hasn’t changed. He will see us to the end of our journey. What a comforting thought!

After learning more about this hymn, I hope it has become dear to you. I can’t say it’s one of my favorites, but I can say it has ministered to me this summer.

Until next time…

Learn More

Luke Powell, Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Horace Clarence Boyer, How Sweet the Sound
Kenneth Morris – Hymnology Archive