Thursday, August 03, 2006

Sing All the Verses--Part 2

Okay, honestly, who knew that what we usually sing as the Doxology has more than one verse?! It's true. The words were written by Thomas Ken, published in the Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College, in 1674.

Ken wrote this hymn at a time when the established church believed only Scripture should be sung as hymns, with an emphasis on the Psalms. Some considered it sinful and blasphemous to write new lyrics for church music, akin to adding to the Scriptures. In that atmosphere, Ken wrote this and several other hymns for the boys at Winchester College, with strict instructions that they use them only in their rooms, for private devotions. Ironically, the last stanza has come into widespread use as the Doxology, perhaps the most frequently used piece of music in public worship. At Ken’s request, the hymn was sung at his funeral, fittingly held at sunrise.

Here are all the great words. It is a song we would all well be able to use in our morning devotions, even now, 330-some-odd years later. Enjoy!

Awake, my soul, and with the sun
Thy daily stage of duty run;
Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise,
To pay thy morning sacrifice.

Thy precious time misspent, redeem,
Each present day thy last esteem,
Improve thy talent with due care;
For the great day thyself prepare.

By influence of the Light divine
Let thy own light to others shine.
Reflect all heaven’s propitious ways
In ardent love, and cheerful praise.

In conversation be sincere;
Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how all seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.

Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart,
And with the angels bear thy part,
Who all night long unwearied sing
High praise to the eternal King.

All praise to Thee, Who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.

Lord, I my vows to Thee renew;
Disperse my sins as morning dew.
Guard my first springs of thought and will,
And with Thyself my spirit fill.

Direct, control, suggest, this day,
All I design, or do, or say,
That all my powers, with all their might,
In Thy sole glory may unite.

I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed.

Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art,
O never then from me depart;
For to my soul ’tis hell to be
But for one moment void of Thee.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


Above info gathered from the Cyber Hymnal.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I find that quite amazing. I would have certainly thought it was written as we sing it. Thanks for digging this up!

LeLe said...

At my wedding in March, I walked down the aisle with my father to "The Doxology" although it was just the last stanza..."Praise God from whom all blessing flow..." That hymn is really special to me and it's great to have ALL the lyrics.

Nathan said...

"I would not wake nor rise again
And Heaven itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed." seems Piper read this before writing "God is the Gospel!" Awesome song...I never knew it was so long and so full of good doctrine!

Julian Freeman said...

Jessica:

Thanks! I think it's done now, but if I come across anything else this good, I'll be sure to pass it along. :)

Leann:

Sounds like it was a really nice wedding. Hopefully this helps make the song just that much more special for you.

Nathan:

It's a fact that Piper prides himself on saying that he's never had an original thought. I used to think he was just saying that. The more I read from church history, however, the more I find it's true: he's ridiculously consistent with orthodox Christianity. He loves the God that Christians have loved for millennia.

Ray Van Neste said...

Good Post.
I found you by searchign for some of the words to this hymn. Ken actually used what we call the Doxology as the conclusion to more than one hymn. It also occurs in his Evening Hymn.
http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/l/allprais.htm