491 + 492
Two great hymns that go great together
Back in the 1970’s, Reeses promoted their peanut butter cups as, “Two great tastes that go great together.” Chocolate is delicious. Peanut Butter is too. I have rarely encountered anyone who would disagree that the combination is fantastic. Sometimes when two items are combined they seem to become greater than the sum of their parts. Years ago on the occasion of someone requesting to sing Poor Weak and Worthless (Good Old Songs # 491) during the song service brother Richard Sandage chimed in with, “Add 492.” We sang all six verses combined. The lyrics of #492 are so theologically rich and flow so naturally from what is declared in #491 that it has become our standing practice at Harmomy PBC to sing these two together any time that Poor, Weak, and Worthless is requested from the Good Old Songs. Brother Richard told me that combining the two had become standard practice for years at our sister church, Sardis PBC, where he had previously been a member. I mentioned this to Elder Josh Coker, who pastors Vestavia PBC in Alabama, and he said he had encountered this practice also and very much agreed with the reasons that these two go so well together. I believe that this and other novel practices arise from a sincere love of the message of salvation by sovereign grace shared among the Lord’s people. They remind us of the things most surely believed in our small assemblies.
Good Old Songs #491
Poor, weak, and worthless though I am, I have a rich almighty friend.
(Matthew 5:3, Luke 4:18)
Jesus the savior is his name, he freely loves and without end.
(Matthew 1:21, Jeremiah 31:3)
He ransomed me from hell with blood, and by his power my foes controlled;
(Mark 10:45, Psalm 34:7)
He found me wandering far from God and brought me to his chosen fold.
(Deut 32:10, John 10:28)
He cheers my heart, my want supplies, and says that I shall shortly be
(Psalm 32:11, Luke 12:28)
Enthroned with him above the skies, O what a friend is Christ to me.
(John 14:3, John 15:13)
Good Old Songs #492
When Jesus for his people died, the holy law was satisfied,
(Colossians 2:14)
Its awful penalties he bore, it can command nor curse no more.
(Romans 8:1, 6:14)
He having suffered in their stead, the law in covenant form is dead.
(Romans 3:21-22, Galatians 3:16-18)
He rules them with a gentle sway, and they with sweet delight obey.
(I John 5:3, Romans 7:22)
Amazing love! How rich how free, that Christ should die for such as we.
(Ephesians 2:4-7)
From hence the holiest duties flow, of saints above and saints below.
(I Corinthians 10:13, Galatians 5:13)
FINAL THOUGHT
It is profitable to consider the lyrics of our hymns, verse by verse, phrase by phrase, word for word. I recommend that disciples do so with the following questions in mind:
Are the words to this hymn needful and true? (I Thessalonians 5:21)
If the bible throughly furnishes us (II Timothy 3:16-17) where are these thoughts found in scripture?
What is the context in which those statements are made in scripture?
Those three questions are a good way to use the hymns we love so much as a way to approach studying the word of God.
- Elder Daniel Samons