The Church of God

The Church of God! The Church of God,
Which Thou hast purchased with Thy Blood,
Lord Jesus, by Thy Spirit lead
The flocks Thy servants tend and feed.

2 The Church of God! We gladly give
Our hearts and service; hence we live
To watch, to work, to wait, to weep
To guard, to guide our Master's sheep.

3 The Church of God! whose souls are fed
Before the Table Christ has spared:
Upon Thy saints, O Saviour, shine
Who break Thy bread and drink Thy wine.

4 The Church of God ! O Father, keep
Thy chosen, called and Blood-bought sheep
Which Thou hast given to Thy Son
In love and truth forever one.

5 The Church of God! The Bride, whose Spouse
Prepares on high a heavenly house:
Spirit of grace, our souls adorn
To see Him on that blessed morn!

6 The Church of God, in which is found
A pillar to the truth, and ground:
Lord, on her walls uphold and bless
The mystery great of godliness!

7 The Church of God! to earth and heaven
All glory, praise and thanks be given
To Him, who dwells in midst of Thee,
The ever-blessed Trinity!

-- JPB, 14 December 2007

L.M.

Lord Jesus, Take My Ransomed Life

Lord Jesus, take my ransomed life
And use it to Thy praise
Through service, suffering, strain or strife:
To Thee I yield my days.

2 Send where Thou wilt; there shall I go
To all the vast world wide,
To work, to weep, to wait, to sow
Till comes Thy harvest-tide.

3 I hold not dear to live or die,
But to complete my race,
My ministry -- to testify
The Gospel of Thy grace.

4 "He must increase, I must decrease"
Let me my days thus spend
Till I at last depart in peace,
Enduring to the end.

-- JPB Wednesday 22 August 2007

C.M.

Jehovah Is Our Strength and Song

JEHOVAH is our Strength and Song
In Him we shall rejoice!
To Him alone shall praise belong,
To Him we raise our voice!

2 MOST HOLY FATHER, who dost dwell
On high and in the heart,
Our praise inhabit, as we tell
How very great Thou art!

3 LORD JESUS, now declare Thy Name
And sing Thy FATHER's praise
Among Thy brethren, unashamed,
Whom Thou to heav'n shalt raise!

4 SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD,
Fill all the Church with song,
And in Thy saints still shed abroad
Christ's love our whole lives long!

5 Come, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST
MOST HOLY TRINITY --
Inhabit all Thy Blood-bought host
To all eternity!

-- JPB Lord's Day 20 April 2008