One of the challenges of cancelling corporate worship is the removal of the power of joining our voices together as one in praise of our amazing God. In both our traditional and modern worship styles, singing is a core element of our gatherings. Singing is vital because it is the language of our heart as we are given deeper words to declare glory to our God.
I invite you to do 2 things in this moment of praise. First, read through these words of this powerful hymn: O God Our Help In Ages Past. It was written by Sir Isaac Watts and is based on Psalm 90. Read through the verses slowly–make it your prayer. Let the words and phrases linger on your lips and dance through your imagination.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
Under the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home!
Now, listen to this recording of the Sheffield Cathedral Choir as they sing the hymn. Feel free to join in with them if you like.
What is God speaking to you through this hymn, the words, and the music?
