In Praise of God

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), who wrote  such beloved hymns as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “Joy to the World,” also wrote hundreds of hymns which are virtually unknown.

Three of his lesser-known hymns are based on the well-known Psalm 23…and each one is a precious reminder of the wonder of having the Lord God as our Shepherd.  Below are the first stanzas from each of these three hymns.  Given the uncertainty of the world in which we live, and both the physical and spiritual needs we all have, these are stanzas well worthy of our contemplation!  I have bolded the wording which has had the greatest impact on my heart today. The phrase in italics comes in a close second.  The result:  Greater stillness of heart and trust in God’s care.

My Shepherd is the living Lord; Now shall my wants be well supplied; His providence and holy word Become my safety and my guide.

My Shepherd will supply my need, Jehovah is his name; In pastures fresh he makes me feed, Beside the living stream.

The Lord my Shepherd is, I shall be well supplied; Since he is mine and I am his, What can I want beside?

 Our Psalms study has a new title: it is now entitled Be Thou My Vision: An Inductive Study of Psalms 73-89.

Please note that it is the SAME study as was published under the previous title.  Only the cover and title/copyright pages have changed.

The name, of course, comes from that dear old hymn.  It also speaks to the focus of the study, reminding us to keep our eyes on our loving and powerful Father and to view the world through a framework that puts Him first.

Although it is well past Thanksgiving Day, my heart is convicted of the need to meditate more on thankfulness.  Too often I find myself focused on the immediacy of life: the work, the need, the hardship, the disappointment, the busyness…and not focused on the accompanying blessings: the love, the care, the strength, the faithfulness, the comfort, the presence, and the provision of God (whether from Him directly, through providence, or though the ways He moves the hearts of His people).

Today, God brought Psalm 23 to my remembrance.  Whether or not your thoughts are still on Thanksgiving, may your heart be blessed by the way Issac Watts has poetically expressed the message of this well-loved psalm.  I highly recommend reading it aloud–and then choosing one thought to meditate on with thankfulness!

 My Shepherd will supply my need,

Jehovah is his name;

In pastures fresh he makes me feed,

Beside the living stream.

He brings my wand’ring spirit back

When I forsake his ways;

And leads me, for his mercy’s sake,

In paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death,

Thy presence is my stay;

A word of thy supporting breath,

Drives all my fears away.

Thy hand, in sight of all my foes,

Doth still my table spread;

My cup with blessings overflows,

Thine oil anoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God

Attend me all my days:

O may thy house be mine abode,

And all my work be praise!

There would I find a settled rest,

While others go and come;

No more a stranger or a guest,

But like a child at home.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.

Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

Once God has spoken;
twice I have heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man according to his work.

Ps. 62:8-12