Marrow Man
Drunk with Powder
Have any of you sung the following hymn in worship:
Our hymnal only has verses 1, 4, and 5. It is not in the Trinity Hymnal (the red one at least), but it is in the old burgundy "The Hymn Book." Our hymnbook also has a different tune (Azmon instead of Richmond). The questionable verse is # 4, hinging on the word "perfect." I didn't think too much of it until I found this on a Methodist website:
Any thoughts from hymn singers?
"O for a Heart to Praise My God" by Charles Wesley
1. O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free,
a heart that always feels thy blood
so freely shed for me.
2. A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer's throne,
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone.
3. A humble, lowly, contrite heart,
believing, true, and clean,
which neither life nor death can part
from Christ who dwells within.
4. A heart in every thought renewed
and full of love divine,
perfect and right and pure and good,
a copy, Lord, of thine.
5. Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new, best name of Love.
Our hymnal only has verses 1, 4, and 5. It is not in the Trinity Hymnal (the red one at least), but it is in the old burgundy "The Hymn Book." Our hymnbook also has a different tune (Azmon instead of Richmond). The questionable verse is # 4, hinging on the word "perfect." I didn't think too much of it until I found this on a Methodist website:
This text of Charles Wesley's was first published in 1742. It was based on the Anglican prayer book's version of Psalm 51:1-10. It fully expresses Methodism's understanding of Christian Perfection -- a perfection in love.
John Wesley spoke of "inward holiness" (love of God and the assurance of God's love for humanity) and "outward holiness" (love of neighbor and acts of kindness). It is this oft-misunderstood doctrine that this hymn explains. So it bears careful consideration both for it's value as a hymn in the liturgy and as a exegetical resource if the preacher of these Lections isn't too squeamish about preaching a doctrinal sermon.
Any thoughts from hymn singers?