Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus Christ

1 Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus Christ,
In Thee we now would find our rest:
Upon the first day of the week
Thy face in worship would we seek.

2 Thou glorious Sun of righteousness,
Shine forth, and all the nations bless:
Arise with healing in Thy wing
Till all the earth Thy praise shall sing.

3 Raised to Thy Father's own right hand,
Shed forth on this and every land
The fulness of the Holy Ghost
To quicken, call and save the lost.

4 Our blind eyes open, now to view
The wonders of Thy Law anew
And as Thy Gospel's grace abounds
Grant us to hear its joyful sounds

5 Show us Thy glory and Thy power
In every place and every hour
Where holy hands are raised in prayer
To cast upon Thee all our care

6 O Father, Son and Spirit, bless
Thy people as they now confess
Thee Triune God alone and praise
Thy Name on this and all our days!

-- JPB; LM 6 March 1984
Monday

O God Most Holy, God Most High

1 The azure skies all glow with light;
The blazing sun shines forth in might:
O God most holy, God most high --
Our Sun and Shield, to us draw nigh!

2 The laden dew has left its sheen
Upon the fields of emerald green:
O God most holy, God most high --
Our Fount of life, to us draw nigh!

3 The chorus of the waking birds
Voices its praises without words:
O God most holy, God most high --
Our Strength and Song, to us draw nigh!

4 The mountain peak and forest flower
Reveal Thy wisdom and Thy power --
O God most holy, God most high,
Creator blest, to us draw nigh!

5 The purple nightshades show afar
The sparkling of the evening star:
O God most holy, God most high,
In all Thy greatness, now draw nigh!

6 Through summer, winter, spring and fall
Thy throne endureth over all:
O God most holy, God most high --
Eternal King, to us draw nigh!

7 We praise the Father's love which gave
His Son beloved our souls to save
And sent His Spirit in our hearts
With every gift that grace imparts!

8 Almighty Father, gracious Son,
And Holy Spirit - Three in One!
Our God, most holy and most high --
In sovereign grace to us draw nigh!

-- JPB, 26 May 2005. L.M.

Lo, On Mount Zion Stands the Lamb

1 Lo, on Mount Zion stands the Lamb
Amid those myriad souls
Redeemed from earth, who follow Him
Withersoe'er He goes!

2 With all its charms this world could not
Their virgin-souls defile;
They stand before the throne of God
Their mouth found free of guile.

3 Before that throne without a fault
They harp and sing new songs,
Unknown to elder, angel, beast
That round about Him throngs

4 Here is the patience of the saints:
They all keep God's commands,
None in the faith of Jesus faints,
By grace alone each stands.

5 The voice from heav'n now bides us, "Write"
And all the truth record:
"Blest are the faithful dead henceforth,
Who shall die in the Lord!"

6 "Yea" saith the Spirit, "they shall find rest
From all their labours sore;
Their works shall follow them and, blest,
Their pains shall all be o'er!"

7 By faith we take our pilgrim path
To enter heaven's rest,
Where Father, Son and Spirit reign,
One God, forever blest!

-- JPB, 11 October 2002. C.M.

Lift up your heads Ye Saints that mourn

1 Lift up your heads, ye saints that mourn:
The Christ of God, who died to save,
Has all your sins and sorrows borne,
And ris'n in triumph o'er the grave.

2 Your Prince of life on high now reigns,
Your great High Priest now pleads for grace:
Your Prophet soon shall come again,
From heaven whence He prepares your place!

3 Our long, sad night of death and fear
Full soon shall end in glorious day:
The dawn shall break, the morn appear,
And all the shadows flee away.

4 No sorrow, pain, nor bitter sigh
Nor sting of death for us shall stay:
For every tear from every eye
Shall God our Saviour wipe away.

5 Once more shall we each other greet
Who now are gone, or yet remain:
The saints with joy shall surely meet
And never, never part again.

6 As without hope no more despair,
Nor let your hearts still troubled be:
Lord Jesus, come! And in the air
We all shall gather unto Thee!

-- JPB Thursday 17 August 2006. L.M.

Two or Three Are Gathered Here

1 Two or three are gathered here
In Thy Name, O Saviour blest:
Now among Thy saints appear --
Give the heavy-laden rest!
Two or three -- there are no more;
For the shining of Thy face
We await, and we adore --
With Thy glory fill the place!

2 Two or three now meet in faith,
This alone our hearts' desire:
Fill us now, as Scripture saith,
With the Holy Ghost and fire!
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we call:
On our preaching, praise and prayer
Let Thy Spirit's power fall,
E'en when two or three are there!

3 As upon the mountain high
Thou to three transfigured shone,
Let Thy Father's voice now cry:
"This is My beloved Son!"
Come, now risen from the dead,
As to two who walked alone;
In the breaking of the bread
To our hearts Thyself make known!

4 O Lord Jesus, hear our prayer,
Meet with us, as here we bow:
Keep Thy promise truly where
Two or three are gathered now.
Bring us to Thy pierced feet,
When that countless Blood-washed host
Shall our God forever meet --
Father, Son,and Holy Ghost!

-- JPB, 11 June 2004 7.7.7.7.D

My Songs are Thine, Lord Jesus!

1 My songs are Thine, Lord Jesus --
Thy rich, free, sovereign grace
Awakes, and never ceases
To stir my lips to praise!
My glad heart's meditation
Of Thee is ever sweet --
Who can so great salvation
Extol in measures meet?

2 My songs are Thine, Lord Jesus:
What higher theme of praise
Is there that charms or pleases,
A sinner's heart might raise?
So altogether lovely,
Eternal Son of God,
Thou, sinless, in our nature
Redeemed me by Thy Blood!

3 My songs are Thine, Lord Jesus!
None other name compares
With Thine, my heart who eases,
And all my burden bears:
O Alpha and Omega,
Emmanuel, Christ, the Word,
My Shepherd, Bridegroom, Kinsman,
Thou art my God, my Lord!

4 All songs be Thine, Lord Jesus!
Thy praise the world shall tell --
Thy kingdom yet increases,
A nd storms the gates of hell,
Releasing untold numbers
With Gospel liberty
To celebrate the wonders
Of Thy captivity.

5 Jehovah, my Salvation,
Is all my Strength and Song --
All praise and adoration
To Him along belong:
To Father, Son, and Spirit,
Most Blessed Trinity,
Be honour might and merit
To all eternity!

-- JPB, 22 July 2004. 7.6.7.6D

Lord Jesus, Friend of Sinners

1 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
To Thee I now draw nigh:
I long to hear Thy Gospel --
How Thou didst come to die
In shame and Blood at Calv'ry
To save me from me sin:
Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
Be pleased to take me in!

2 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
How wholly am I lost!
A wandering sheep in peril --
A coin of squandered cost --
A child whose life is wasted
In riot, and enslaved:
Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
Seek me, till I am saved!

3 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
I have no right to heaven --
Unclean, unjust, unworthy,
My soul must be forgiven:
O let Thy Name and Spirit
Both justify me now,
And wash, then sanctify me
Till at Thy throne I bow.

4 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
Receive me, with me meet!
Though from beneath Thy table
But crumbs I fain would eat,
Grant me to share Thy kingdom
And by Thy sovereign grace,
Among Thy chosen people
To find the lowest place!

5 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners ---
Thou dost my soul receive!
Thou dost forgive and cleanse me!
I on Thy Name believe,
And all my sins forsaking,
With those Thy Blood hath bought,
I now embrace Thy promise:
Thou wilt not cast me out!

6 Lord Jesus, Friend of sinners,
No greater love could be
Than this, which laid Thy life down
For us at Calvary:
Thou knowest that I love Thee!
O bid me follow still,
Thy most unworthy servant,
To do Thy perfect will.

7 O LORD our God, where is there
A God like unto Thee?
Thou pardonest transgression,
And castest in the sea
The depths of our trespasses
Till all is gone and lost:
We praise Thy mercies, Father,
And Son, and Holy Ghost!

-- JPB 7 October 2003. 7.6.7.6D.

Lord, Our Faith Increase

1 Wearied in well-doing, Saviour,
Cumbered with our care --
We for strength would wait upon Thee:
Hear our prayer!

2 Hear and answer our petition:
"Lord, our faith increase!"
From ourselves, our sins, our struggles
Grant release!

3 Jesus, make Thy grace sufficient!
In our weakness prove
All Thy strength, and never part us
From Thy love!

4 Christ, who makest intercession
At the Throne of God,
From our sins give full remission
In Thy Blood!

5 We would cast on Thee our burden,
Cast on Thee our care:
All our griefs and all our sorrows
Thou dost bear.

6 Hear we now Thine invitation:
"Come to Me, and rest!"
In Thy Word we have salvation
And are blest!

7 From Thy Father's richest glory
All our needs supply:
For Thy Holy Spirit's fulness
Hear our cry!

8 Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
One true God, we raise
For our Saviour's Blood and merit
Endless praise!

--JPB, 21 October 2003. 8.5.8.3.