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"O for a thousand tongues to sing" originally had 17 verses and was entitled "Glory to God, and Praise and Love"? (The tune we use was written about one hundred years later.) Here's the whole thing: 1. Glory to God, and praise and love be ever, ever given, by saints below and saints above, the church in earth and heaven. [Verses 2-6 are about his conversion] 2. On this glad day the glorious Sun of Righteousness arose; on my benighted soul he shone and filled it with repose. 3. Sudden expired the legal strife 'twas then I ceased to grieve; my second, real, living life I then began to live. 4. Then with my heart I first believed, believed with faith divine, power with the Holy Ghost received to call the Savior mine. 5. I felt my Lord's atoning blood close to my soul applied; me, me he loved, the Son of God, for me, for me he died! 6. I found and owned his promise true, ascertained of my part, my pardon passed in heaven I knew when written on my heart. [then the familiar ones . . . ] 7. O for a thousand tongues. . . 8. My gracious Master . . . 9. Jesus! the name that charms . . . 10. He breaks the power . . . 11. He speaks, and listening . . . 12. Hear him, ye deaf . . . [Verses 13-17 deal with the fact that God's grace is sufficient to redeem even the worst of sinners. Charles Wesley, like the apostle Paul, considered himself the worst. You can continue to hum along if you like. Please be considerate of others in the workplace.] 13. Look unto him, ye nations, own your God, ye fallen race! Look, and be saved through faith alone, be justified by grace! 14. See all your sins on Jesus laid; the Lamb of God was slain, his soul was once an offering made for every soul of man. 15. Harlots and publicans and thieves, his holy triumph join! Saved is the sinner that believes for crimes as great as mine. 16. Murderers and all ye hellish crew, ye sons of lust and pride, believe the Savior died for you; for me the Savior died. 17. With me, your chief, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven; anticipate your heaven below and own that love is heaven. - Charles Wesley, 1739 [Remember that God's forgiveness is what allows us come to him in worship and prayer. Be careful if you're feeling that others need his forgiveness more than you do. "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it!"] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |