Written before the sun returned
My Dear Friends,
What is going on? It is cold and wet and miserable, and I don’t know why, but experiencing this weather in Spain always surprises me! Of course it is nothing new, but we are so used to the sun trying to shine every day.
But even though the rain is falling, our flights have been cancelled again, and my paperwork pile grows the more I do, it is still glorious to be alive! We are continuing with our Easter Season, and Alleluia is our song. Well almost. This Sunday we will be singing everybody’s favourite Praise my Soul. Here it is to whet your appetite.
Praise, my soul, the king of heaven!
To his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him
Praise him! Praise him!
Praise the everlasting king!
2. Praise him for his grace and favour
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless.
Praise him…
Glorious in his faithfulness!
3. Father-like he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hands he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him…
Widely as his mercy flows!
4. Angels, help us to adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him…
Praise with us the God of grace!
This lovely hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte, Curate at Lower Brixham in Devonshire. It is particularly fitting at the moment as it was sung in the 1947 royal wedding of H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and has always been popular because of the words and the tune.
It is inspired by Psalm 103, and Praises the Glory of God in whom are the gifts of us being Ransomed, healed, restored and forgiven. The active participant is always God, and our response is always praise.
I know a number of you had it at your weddings too, and it will bring back memories of beautiful day, plus recollection of the churches and possibly schools of your younger years.
Verse two reminds us of the Grace and Favour offered to previous generations, and it is so important that we always remember the great things that God has done. It continues with us Praising him still, the same as ever, because he continues to offer those gifts to us.
Grace, that unearned and undeserved Blessing of God’s favour is constantly poured into our souls, and he welcomes us, comforts us, and is slow to anger.
We are then reminded that we are his children, and he gently cares for us and meets our needs. We have grown up with the Fatherly image of God which transcends any human experience we may or may not have had. It reminds us of a closeness and intimacy, but for me also a carefree rough and tumble sort of playfulness. Abba is so much more ‘Daddy’ then ‘Father’. Parents will remember with such affection those moments when their children jumped fearlessly from some platform into their arms with complete trust that Daddy would catch them, and toss them up into the air with joyful abandon.
Our final verse brings home the ministry of angels granted to us rather than being confined to holy figures of the past. They help us to express our innermost feelings of adoration. But not only the angels – the whole of creation is engaged in the worship of our ever present and ever active creator.
How could we possibly sing this hymn and not be moved towards a real spiritual high.
I don’t know about you, but on Sunday I am going to give it my best shot, rain or no rain.
Bless you, sing your hearts out behold his glory face to face.
As ever,
Fr Marcus