I Lift My Eyes to See

This text is a versification of one of my favorite psalms, Psalm 121, and is set to the beautifully crafted tune NO CHILD by Amanda Husberg.

1.  I lift my eyes to see
     The mountains soar and tower--
     How strong my Maker's power!
     How sure His help for me!

2.  God keeps your footsteps true;
     His eye is never sleeping,
     His Israel ever keeping--
     So great His love for you!

3.  God guards you by His might;
     The burning sunlight shading
     And when its glow is fading,
     God keeps you safe at night.

4.  At times of trial and strife,
     When evil foes assail you,
     God's presence will not fail you--
     The LORD preserves your life!

5.  When you walk out the door,
     To where your path may lead you,
     God's blessing will precede you,
     Both now and evermore.

6.  All laud and glory be
     To Father, Son, and Spirit,
     Through whom we life inherit--
     O blessed Trinity!

Jerusalem, Awake! The Hour Is Near

As we enter a new Church Year, the traditional Gospel lesson for the First Sunday of Advent is Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  Such a lesson transports us to Holy Week and focuses our hearts upon the real purpose of our Lord's coming:  humbling Himself unto death, even death on a cross to secure our salvation.  The text was written in 1996 to the tune JESAIA, DEM PROPHETEN; the text is based on Matthew 21:1-9.

Jerusalem, awake!  The hour is near;
The day that brings your peace is almost here!
Christ comes to save all people from their sin;
He comes the sinner's heart and soul to win--
Not as a lord to reign in tyranny,
But as the Lord whose love rules inwardly.
This Sov'reign's stead proclaims His humble goal:
The true Messiah's mount, a donkey's foal.
Arise, O Israel!  Greet Your coming King;
Let ev'ry heart rejoice and gladly sing:
  "Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   Hosanna, David's Son, hosanna!
   How blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
To death this king rides with determined pace,
As still He weeps and longs for your embrace.

Lord, I Cry in Deep Despair

This hymn was written in 2008 and was inspired by the tune by Lois Brokering, EVERYTHING IS ONE.  Today's wonderful epistle lesson (1 Timothy 1:12-17) was a great reminder that Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners.  The Lord Jesus Christ alone justifies, purifies, fortifies, satisfies and glorifies all believers.


1.  Lord, I cry in deep despair;
     Do you hear my tear-choked prayer?
     Dare I come before Your throne
     With this weight of sin I own?
     Is there One to speak for me
     And declare this captive free?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need justify, justify my soul.


2.  All my scarlet sins you know,
     Can You make them white as snow?
     Ev'ry dark and crimson stain,
     Can You make like wool again?
     Will you cast into the sea
     All the sins that trouble me?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need purify, purify my soul.


3.  When I hear the tempter's voice,
     Can I make the godly choice?
     When the world would have me stray,
     Will I walk Your holy way?
     Though my nature is corrupt,
     Can its power You disrupt?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need fortify, fortify my soul.


4.  What of things that turn to rust--
     Are they worthy of my trust?
     What of things that moths destroy--
     Will they give me lasting joy?
     Can they make me rich indeed
     Or my beggared spirit feed?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus
        You need satisfy, satisfy my soul.


5.  All my times are in Your hand,
     Yours alone, at Your command;
     Will You stay by me to cheer
     When my final hour is near?
     Will You then, Lord, be the Way
     That will lead from night to day?
        You and You alone, Lord Jesus,
        You need glorify, glorify my soul.

How Beautiful the Feet

This text was written to the glory of God for the recent Michigan District LWML convention (July 9-11) whose theme was "Beautiful Feet" based on Isaiah 52:7.  The tune is RHOSYMEDRE by John D. Edwards, 1805-85.

1.  How beautiful the feet
     That bring good news from God!
     With eager footsteps fleet
     And with the Gospel shod,
     They run with swift and steady ease;
     Their joyful tidings tell of peace,
     How Christ has gained for us release!

2.  How beautiful the feet
     That God the Father prized,
     That walked without deceit
     Yet came to be baptized:
     Christ strode the path from Jordan's stream,
     So our lost world He might redeem,
     Though some His way did not esteem.

3.  How beautiful the feet
     That took the servant's place,
     To selfish pride unseat
     By humble, selfless grace:
     Before disciples kneeling low,
     Christ washed their feet so they might know
     How they as servants still must grow.

4.  How beautiful the feet
     That climbed the skull-like hill,
     Our sin and death to meet
     And do the Father's will:
     Christ died for all, by all disowned,
     The sky grew dark, creation groaned;
     His "It is finished!" He intoned.

5.  How beautiful the feet
     That came at rosy dawn,
     With caring to complete
     But found Christ's body gone:
     The sealing stone they did so dread
     Was rolled away as angels said,
     "The Lord has risen from the dead!"

6.  How beautiful the feet
     That brought good news from God!
     Our steps be likewise fleet
     And with the Gospel shod!
     Come, run with swift and steady ease;
     With joyful tidings tell of peace,
     How Christ has gained for all release!

The Eternal Gates Are Lifted Up

"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."  (Hebrews 7:25-26)


This Ascension text is by Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95)


1.  The eternal gates are lifted up,
     The doors are open wide;
     The King of glory is gone in
     Unto His Father's side.


2.  Thou art gone up before us, Lord,
     To make for us a place,
     That we may be where now Thou art,
     And look upon God's face.


3.  And ever on our earthly path
     A gleam of glory lies;
     A light still breaks behind the cloud
     That veiled Thee from our eyes.


4.  Lift up our hearts, lift up our minds,
     And let Thy grace be given,
     That while we live on earth below,
     Our treasure be in heaven.


5.  That where Thou art, at God's right hand,
     Our hope, our love may be.
     Dwell Thou in us, that we may dwell
     Forevermore in Thee.