Psalms and hymns
Monday, August 29, 2005
A hymn is a song of praise to God. So any song of praise to God is a hymn, whether it was written two hundred years ago or this year.
A psalm is a song or chant. So all of the 150 Psalms are hymns, originally written to be sung.
The right response to a great and Holy God is to praise Him! When we sing a song of response, it doesn't have to involve singing about what we do (like how "we will our lives for him" or how "we praise him"). Praise is about treating God as he deserves and lifting him up.
So when you sing psalms and hymns, just because you're not singing about yourself, doesn't mean you're not responding to God appropriately. In fact, praising God has more to do with talking about God and what he has done, rather than about us and what we do. God is my strength and refuge...
Psalm 46 ESV
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God is our strength and refuge by Richard Bewes
God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble;
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
There is a flowing river,
within God's holy city;
God is in the midst of her
she shall not be moved!
God's help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
A psalm is a song or chant. So all of the 150 Psalms are hymns, originally written to be sung.
The right response to a great and Holy God is to praise Him! When we sing a song of response, it doesn't have to involve singing about what we do (like how "we will our lives for him" or how "we praise him"). Praise is about treating God as he deserves and lifting him up.
So when you sing psalms and hymns, just because you're not singing about yourself, doesn't mean you're not responding to God appropriately. In fact, praising God has more to do with talking about God and what he has done, rather than about us and what we do. God is my strength and refuge...
Psalm 46 ESV
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God is our strength and refuge by Richard Bewes
God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble;
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
There is a flowing river,
within God's holy city;
God is in the midst of her
she shall not be moved!
God's help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!
