O Higher Let My Praises Reach!
O
higher let my praises reach;
Make
loud His great acclaim!
Extol
Him rightly King of Grace,
And
Lord o'er every name.
Toward
Him, my soul, let praise mature;
Let
no thought stand aloof;
Excel
thee as a worshipper
In
spirit and in truth!
O
higher let my praises reach!
Let
not this flesh impede
A
passion for the Gospel preached
Among
those who believe.
Oh
magnify the Lord my soul,
And
lead the joyful throng!
His
grace together sweet extol;
His
works receive with song!
O
higher let my praises reach,
What
cause could greater be?
The
fierce regard of holiness
Directs
no wrath toward me!
A
righteousness that's not my own,
My
refuge makes secure.
He
ever lives before the throne,
My
access to assure.
O
higher let my praises reach;
Think
only of the cross!
With
outstretched arms He beckons each,
Redeeming
helpless lost.
What
greater love could there be shown,
A
shepherd for his sheep?
He
bore God's crushing curse alone,
His
wayward ones to keep.
O
higher let my praises reach;
Shall
not my voice extend
Into
the throne room of the King,
Where
choruses ascend,
Acclaiming
Him the great "I Am",
While
awesome creatures call,
"Most
worthy, worthy is the Lamb,
Who
fills the all in all!"
Chorus
Yes
higher let my worship spring!
Soar
into courts above;
Where
choirs forever rightly sing
Of
Your (His) amazing love!
This poem began as a self-imposed challenge to write something in this particular rhyming scheme. I find that I need challenges like that to help me grow as a writer. I've read the whole poem, as well as just stanzas 1,3 and 5 in various worship contexts. Joshua Harris quoted a portion of this poem in the dedication section of his book Boy Meets Girl
I first read two stanzas from this poem in Josh Harris's "Boy Meets Girls" and absolutely loved it. I grew up singing traditional hymns and somewhat resent the movement towards repetitive p/w songs that are so popular among churches today. I would love to hear this set to music. And I'm so glad I found the rest of this poem - you have an amazing talent and I'm sure the Lord is glorified by your words/thoughts/prayers.
Posted by: Jessica | October 15, 2006 at 07:19 PM