One of the things that I love most about the music at RUF is the use of rich hymn texts. Texts like one of the hymns we sang tonight, "For All the Saints." This is a hymn that never really stood out to me before, probably because I never got to actually sing it in church due to playing an instrument. However, tonight I realized how beautiful and deep these words are! As you read through the lyrics, notice how the picture just keeps getting bigger and more glorious. I basically haven't been able to stop singing this since I left large group tonight. Such an amazing hymn! Glory to God!
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Allelu...
The picture of the church as a whole, the believers, the saints, is introduced in the first line of the hymn.
Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Allelu...
Image of God as our rock and fortress. In this verse and the next two, the church militant comes into view, beginning where it should with the description of Jesus as the captain of the saints, our fortress and light.
O may thy soldiers, faithful true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Allelu...
Image of an army. The saints are an army marked by God with his seal, engaged in a spiritual battle with Jesus as our captain. It is a war that we already know is won for us, yet we faithfully fight.
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Allelu...
This verse and the next two are where I get extremely teary-eyed! The idea and assurance that the saints, the believers, the blessed, will receive our rest and paradise. Image of the end times, I believe. The golden evening brightening but not here yet, soon to the saints comes their rest.
But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way,
Alleluia, Allelu...
What an amazing picture! The second coming of our King of glory, the saints rising triumphant, what a incredible and encouraging image!
From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Image of our finally coming home to eternity. What an awesome picture of indescribable glory to God!
Sorry, this wasn't the best writing. I'm a little sleepy. Anyways, one thing that also really stood out to me as I read back over every verse was that I could think of multiple biblical references for each verse, from both testaments. All these images are taken directly from the Scriptures. Especially since at First Pres, Rev. Bowen is preaching through Revelation, everything is in pictures to me!
No comments:
Post a Comment