I will bless the Lord who guides me;
….even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
….I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:7-8 (NLT)

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I enjoy listening to a variety of music when I write. I seem to do best with instrumental pieces and enjoy a plethora of styles and genres. Recently while poking around on Spotify – an online audio streaming platform – I came across a collection of orchestral hymns. They are beautiful and I have enjoyed listening to them immensely!

One hymn, in particular, stuck in my mind. I recognized it but couldn’t recall much of its text. Interestingly enough, I couldn’t find it in any of the hymnals I use regularly. I have four hymnals published by the Church of the Nazarene and I had to go all the way back to the one published in 1931 to find it, so it’s not probably one that I sang growing up.

Its title? When I Can Read My Title Clear. It was written by Isaac Watts in 1707. The tune I heard it set to is called Pisgah. It is based on a beautiful old Scottish tune. There’s a couple of links at the end of the blog if you’d like to listen to it

The tune is one thing, but the lyrics are impacting, as well. It was first published under the heading “The Hopes of Heaven our Support under Trials on Earth”. We surely struggle as sojourners on this dusty globe we call earth but for those who follow Jesus, this world is but a steppingstone to an eternity spent with Him. We have the assurance of heaven and it provides for us one more anchor for the soul.

The portion of Scripture associated with the text in a couple of different resources is from Isaiah 25:8, …the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces… (NRSV)

When we think of heaven, visions of gold-paved streets and gates of pearl may come to mind but reading through Watts’ text we can embrace the peacefulness of being at home with God. No more pain. No more tears. No more wandering. Peace at last.

“When I can read my title clear to mansions in the skies,
I bid farewell to every fear, and wipe my weeping eyes.
And wipe my weeping eyes, and wipe my weeping eyes
I bid farewell to every fear, and wipe my weeping eyes.

“Should earth against my soul engage, and fiery darts be hurled,
Then I can smile at Satan’s rage, and face a frowning world.
And face a frowning world, and face a frowning world,
Then I can smile at Satan’s rage, and face a frowning world.

“Let cares, like a wild deluge come, and storms of sorrow fall!
May I but safely reach my home, my God, my heav’n, my all.
My God, my heav’n, my all, my God, my heav’n, my all,
May I but safely reach my home, my God, my heaven, my all.

“There shall I bathe my weary soul in seas of heavenly rest,
And not a wave of trouble roll, across my peaceful breast.
Across my peaceful breast, across my peaceful breast,
And not a wave of trouble roll, across my peaceful breast.

If you have access to Spotify, here is the link to the orchestral piece I heard:

Otherwise here is a YouTube link to another nice arrangement:

 

May 27th, 2020, Wed, 9:52 pm