Hymns of Hope and Comfort: Sing, Ye Faithful, Sing with Gladness!

During this time of fear and uncertainty in the COVID-19 wilderness, I’ve decided to do something a little different. I’m going to be daily using my blog to share texts and videos of hymns that pass along hope and comfort until the restrictions are lifted, and we can worship in our buildings once again. I hope you find them to be encouraging and edifying during this time.

Take care, everyone. Wash your hands. And keep the faith.

The lady who asked me to share some hymns that “people actually sing in the United States” will be glad to know that this video is from Washington National Cathedral. Actually, I’m sure she wants me to share more of the gospel songs that I grew up singing, which most evangelicals believe is actual, traditional, Protestant hymnody. I don’t wish to be too hard on this individual, but I think it’s important to highlight the long dearth of rich congregational song present in the bulk of Protestant Christianity in this country. And what little was once there is being forced out by the likes of crap peddlers like Nashville and Hillsong and Bethel.

Anyway, yes, here’s a great hymn for you. The proximity to the organ pipes make it less than ideal, but it’s the best video I could find of this hymn. And it’s played magnificently in spite of the, shall we say, acoustic issues presented by the nave that is, roughly, 47 miles long. That’s my estimate. I’ll double check my facts later.

Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness,
wake your noblest, sweetest strain,
with the praises of your Savior
let his house resound again;
him let all your music honor,
and your songs exalt his reign.

Sing how he come forth from heaven,
bowed himself to Bethlehem’s cave,
stooped to wear the servant’s vesture,
bore the pain, the cross, the grave,
passed within the gates of darkness,
thence his banished ones to save.

So, he tasted death for mortals,
he, of human-kind the head,
sinless one, among the sinful,
Prince of life, among the dead;
thus he wrought the full redemption,
and the captor captive led.

Now on high, yet ever with us,
from his Father’s throne the Son
rules and guides the world he ransomed,
till the appointed work be done,
till he see, renewed and perfect,
all things gathered into one.

Photo:
pixabay