Those Who Write

"A few songs with Him might change the way you sing, Forever."

Max Lucado 

"Ray Palmer was having a tough year. He wanted to go into the ministry but was stuck teaching at a girls' school in New York City. He was lonely, depressed, and sick. Then he found a German poem about a sinner kneeling before the cross. He translated it and added four stanzas." The One Year Book of Hymns, William J. Peterson and Randy Peterson, April 26 devotion

I enjoy reading the inspiration behind a song. Maybe because I like to write. How do other people write? What inspires them? Ray Palmer wrote the hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee." You may remember the first verse:

"My faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!

Now hear me while I pray, Take all my guilt away, O let me from this day Be wholly Thine!

Continuing from the devotion, "I wrote the verses with tender emotion," he said later. "There was not the slightest thought of writing for another eye, least of all writing a hymn for Christian worship.

"Two years later, while visiting Boston, he ran across his friend Lowell Mason. Mason, a major figure in American music in the early 1800s, was preparing a new hymnal. He asked Palmer if he'd like to contribute anything. Palmer bashfully showed Mason these verses. Mason said, "You may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee.'"

 

I like the other verses too:

"May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee Pure, warm and changeless be, A living fire!

"While life's dark maze I tread And griefs around me spread, Be Thou my guide;

Bid darkness turn to day, Wipe sorrow's tears away, Nor let me ever stray From Thee aside.

"When ends life's passing dream, When death's cold, threatening stream Shall o'er me roll,

Blest Savior, then, in love, Fear and distrust remove; O lift me safe above, A ransomed soul!

                                                                                                                        Ray Palmer (1808-1887)  

We can learn so much about Jesus and the gospel from hymns. They encourage us, strengthen us, teach us and inspire us. They repel discouragement and worry. But most of all, they praise God.

If you don't know the tune you can listen here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGKLmThF2to


Thank you, Ray Palmer, for turning your discouragement into praise for God! We still sing your song.