"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16 KJV
"And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:3 KJV
What a beautiful way to wake this morning! A great joyful old hymn that brings a smile to our hearts. But this old hymn was written during a time of great sorrow (as so many other old hymns) when the author, Luther B. Bridgers, a Methodist minister learned of the death of his wife and three sons. Rev. Bridges had traveled from his home to Kentucky to minister during a 2 week conference. At the conclusion of the wonderful meetings, he answered a phone call with great joy only to learn of a house fire were his family perished. During this time of tremendous devastation. Rev. Bridgers leaned heavily on his Savior for comfort and penned the words of this amazing hymn expressing his faith in God. Written in 1910, it has been published in many hymnals over the years and sung by most anyone who has ever attended church.
I'll let the some of the words of "He Keeps Me Singing" speak for themselves:
"There's within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low, Fear not, I am with thee, peace be still, In all of life's ebb and flow. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go."
"Feasting on the riches of His grace, Resting beneath His sheltering wing, Always looking on His smiling face, That is why I shout and sing! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know!"
What a joy we have, to have a song in our hearts and to sing praises to our Savior!
You may grow tired of seeing the replays of the Gaither videos, but they are some of the best for hearing some of these songs as a "congregation" and that's the way I hear so many of them. Plus this link features perhaps my very favorite old time gospel singer, Jake Hess.
I'll also post a link to The Cathedral Quartet singing an acapella version. I remember buying this CD many years ago. So many hymns and songs of praise all sung acapella by this amazing quartet. I hope you will enjoy hearing this also.
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