Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing #75

Welcome to the 75th Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing!

I miss the old hymns that I remember from my childhood - there were no drums, no electric guitar and no mind numbing beat. It was just voices and maybe a piano or an organ. The choir led the congregation in singing - and the words of these hymns are poetic. I realize that there is a need for the modern "seeker oriented" worship music - but it is also necessary to have deeper songs (no offense intended to anyone who prefers the newer church songs).

I decided to have an "Old Fashion Sunday Hymn Sing" once a month on this blog.

I personally do NOT have a great singing voice - I used to play the guitar & piano but my voice is NOT an instrument. That's the great thing about this digital hymn sing, you can warble along without being embarrassed or without offending anyone else.

The hymns that we will be studying are taken from an old hymnal from a Baptist church that is no longer in existence - "The North American Hymnal" published in 1956 by "THE ROGER WILLIAMS PRESS"

I will also try to find a version of the featured hymn on "YouTube" to share with you each month.

Today's featured hymn is "O For a Closer Walk With God" written by William Cowper (1731-1800) & composed by Hans G. Naegeli (1773-1836).    
The history behind the author of this featured hymn is quite sad - William Cowper lost his mom when he was only 6 years old.  He then suffered from depression for the rest of his life and even attempted suicide.  However, eventually he was taken in by a kind couple Reverend Unwin and his wife Mary Unwin.  And then he became acquainted with John Newton (the author of "Amazing Grace") and it was through this acquaintance that Mr. Cowper had 68 of his hymns published. 

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" 

James 4:8

I have included 2 versions of this lovely hymn (below the lyrics).  Enjoy!

Turn with me to number 268 in your hymnals and let's sing:

O for a Closer Walk With God

written by William Cowper (1731-1800) & composed by Hans G. Naegeli (1773-1836)

1. O for a closer walk with God, A calm and heavenly frame;  A light to shine upon the road That leads me to the Lamb!

2.   Where is the blessedness I knew, When first I saw the Lord?  Where is the soul refreshing view Of Jesus and His Word?

3.   Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest!  I hate the sins that made Thee mourn, And drove Thee from my breast.

4.   The dearest Idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, Help me to tear it from Thy throne, And worship only Thee.

5.   So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame;  So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb.

A special thanks to "eileenmaryeileen7" for sharing this with us!

A special thanks to "Savedandkept" for sharing this with us!

Other Hymns on this blog:

He Keeps Me Singing
Open My Eyes That I May See
He Is Able To Deliver Thee
Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy
I Know Whom I Have Believed
His Way With Thee
The Haven of Rest
Unto the Hills Around Do I Lift Up
For the Beauty of the Earth
My Times Are In Thy Hand
Rescue the Perishing


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