ReflectHymn Pieces

Faith of Our Fathers (PERPETUA)

[Artwork for: Faith of Our Fathers]
RH#1 — 2011-02-15 mp3 | pdf

Story: PERPETUA

God is faithful through the generations in spite of times of persecution and martyrdom. We must not forget—the ultimate victory is won through Christ. God manifests His Kingdom to the world in the hearts and lives of His people.

We at ReflectHymn felt that the well known tune for “Faith of Our Fathers” did not communicate the richness of the words of this poem. We sought to encapsulate deeper meaning by incorporating a sweeping melodic line and rich harmonies. Our tune, “Perpetua”, was named after a young mother martyred in the 200′s.

We hope you will appreciate the fresh take on this hymn, reconsidering the truths of these words as you sing praise to our God.

Lyrics: Faith of Our Fathers! - Author: Frederic W. Faber 1961

Faith of our fathers! living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword; O how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear God’s glorious Word:

Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death.

Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; And blest would be their children’s fate If they, like them, should die for thee:

Faith of our fathers! God’s great pow’r Shall draw all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God His people shall indeed be free:

Faith of our fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife, And preach thee, too, as love knows how By witness true and virtuous life:

God Is Known among His People (GOD'S PEOPLE)

[Artwork for: God Is Known among His People]
RH#2 — 2011-02-28 mp3 | pdf

Story: GOD'S PEOPLE

ReflectHymn’s tune for God is Known among His People seeks to reflect God’s holiness. We chose a minor key to communicate the seriousness of His call to obedience and of his judgement of the wicked. Notice, even though there are many minor chords in this tune, we also chose ones of a major color, showing the nature of God’s grace and our joy in redemption.

Many thanks to Nathan Clark George for feedback on the chordal structure, and Don for his assistance in the part writing.

Our holy God has deigned to reveal Himself to mankind. This gives cause for every knee to bow and every tongue to confess Him Lord. He calls the humble to take refuge in him. Worship God for His holiness!

Lyrics: God Is Known among His People - Author: The Psalter 1912

God is known among his people, Every mouth his praises fill; From of old he has established His abode on Zion’s hill; There he broke the sword and arrow, Bade the noise of war be still.

Excellent and glorious art thou, With thy trophies from the fray; Thou hast slain the valiant-hearted, Wrapped in sleep of death are they; When thine anger once is risen, Who can stand in that dread day?

When from heaven thy sentence sounded, All the earth in fear was still, While to save the meek and lowly God in judgment wrought his will; E’en the wrath of man shall praise thee, Thy designs it shall fulfil.

Vow and pay ye to Jehovah, Him your God for ever own; All men, bring your gifts before him Worship him, and him alone; Mighty kings obey and fear him, Princes bow before his throne.

Christ Is Coming! (OBEDIAH)

[Artwork for: Christ Is Coming!]
RH#3 — 2011-03-31 mp3 | pdf

Story: OBEDIAH

All mankind groans under the effects of the curse. Death and sin affect each person in the world, and every corner of the universe. It’s all tainted by sin. But for God’s plan of redemption, His people would continue forever in hopelessness and despair. Christ is coming. He will make things right. He will judge all men, dividing those who love him and those who live in rebellion against His authority. He will redeem this earth, transforming it into a new creation for his covenant people. Christ will glorify His Father and all will worship at His feet. Though we do not know the day or hour of his coming (or the month or year, for that matter!), we look forward to the redemption of all things, in His perfect time. We at ReflectHymn wrote this tune to express both the hopeful waiting of God’s people through the trials of this life, and the triumphant exaltation of His plan. Christ will set all things right to His glory. You will notice how the first two lines have less melodic range, yet continue to build with hope. At the last line, the melody range explodes, including an unusual major 7th interval. The tune name, Obediah, means “Servant of God”. This is our call. We walk in our calling before His face, serving Him, and trusting all things to His perfect will.

Lyrics: Christ Is Coming! - Author: John Ross Macduff 1853

Christ is coming! let creation From her groans and travail cease; Let the glorious proclamation Hope restore and faith increase: Christ is coming! Christ is coming! Come thou blessed Prince of Peace.

Earth can now but tell the story Of thy bitter cross and pain; She shall yet behold thy glory, When thou comest back to reign: Christ is coming! Christ is coming! Let each heart repeat the strain.

Long thine exiles have been pining, Far from rest, and home, and thee: But, in heav’nly vestures shining, They their loving Lord shall see: Christ is coming! Christ is coming! Haste the joyous jubilee.

With that blessed hope before us, Let no harp remain unstrung; Let the mighty advent chorus Onward roll from tongue to tongue: “Christ is coming! Christ is coming! Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come!”

Lord, with Glowing Heart I'd Praise Thee (GLENHILL)

[Artwork for: Lord, with Glowing Heart I'd Praise Thee]
RH#4 — 2011-05-12 mp3 | pdf

Lyrics: Lord, with Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee - Author: Francis Scott Key 1817

Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise thee For the bliss thy love bestows, For the pard’ning grace that saves me, And the peace that from it flows; Help, O God, my weak endeavor; This dull soul to rapture raise; Thou must light the flame, or never Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee, Wretched wand’rer far astray; Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee From the paths of death away; Praise, with love’s devoutest feeling, Him who saw thy guilt-born fear, And, the light of hope revealing, Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Praise thy Saviour God that drew thee To that cross, new life to give, Held a blood-sealed pardon to thee, Bade thee look to him and live; Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee, Roused thee from thy fatal ease, Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee, Praise the grace that whispered peace.

Lord, this bosom’s ardent feeling Vainly would my lips express; Low before thy footstool kneeling, Deign thy suppliant’s prayer to bless: Let thy love, my soul’s chief treasure, Love’s pure flame within me raise, And, since words can never measure, Let my life show forth thy praise.

Commit Now All Your Griefs (GOD OF COMFORT)

[Artwork for: Commit Now All Your Griefs]
RH#5 — 2011-07-04 mp3 | pdf

Lyrics: Commit Now All Your Griefs - Author: Paul Gerhardt, John Wesley 1653, 1737

1 Commit thou all your griefs And ways into his hands; To his sure truth and tender care, Who earth and heav’n commands. Who points the clouds their course, Whom winds and seas obey, He shall direct your wand’ring feet, He shall prepare your way. 2 Give to the winds your fears; Hope, and be undismayed; God hears your sighs, and counts your tears, God shall lift up your head. Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears your way; Wait for his time, so shall the night Soon end in joyous day. 3 Still heavy is your heart? Still sink your spirits down? Cast off the weight, let fear depart, And every care be gone. He everywhere has sway, And all things serve his might; His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light. 4 Far, far above your thought His counsel shall appear, When fully he the work has wrought That caused your needless fear. Leave to his sovereign sway To choose and to command; With wonder filled, you then hall own How wise, how strong his hand!

The Blessedness of Gospel Times (MORNING GRACE)

[Artwork for: The Blessedness of Gospel Times]
RH#6 — 2011-09-14 mp3 | pdf

by Charissa Singleton, arr. Rebecca Loomis

Lyrics: The Blessedness of Gospel Times - Author: Isaac Watts 1707

How beauteous are their feet Who stand on Zion’s hill, Who bring salvation on their tongues, And words of peace reveal!

How charming is their voice, How sweet the tidings are, “Zion, behold thy Saviour king, “He reigns and triumphs here.”

How happy are our ears, That hear this joyful sound, Which kings and prophets waited for, And sought, but never found!

How blessed are our eyes That see this heavenly light! Prophets and kings desired it long, But died without the sight.

The watchmen join their voice, And tuneful notes employ; Jerusalem breaks forth in songs, And deserts learn the joy.

The Lord makes bare his arm Through all the earth abroad; Let every nation now behold Their Saviour and their God!

by Isaac Watts, 1707.