What a joy it was to attend the Sovereign Grace Ministries Worship God 2006 conference and meet many of you there! May the Lord help us to see Him more clearly, 'draw near' the throne as a way of life, and live in anticipation of both His active presence now and His eternal presence with us in the new heavens and earth!
Many of you asked about the alternate lyrics for 'Come Christians Join to Sing' which I wrote and which we sung together during the opening night of the conference. Thank you for asking; I'm glad you found the lyrics edifying. I was unfamiliar with the hymn when I was asked by Bob Kauflin and Ken Boer (worship leader at Covenant Life Church) in April of this year to consider adding a third verse that contained a statement of the gospel. I was immediately drawn to the simple, yet exhilarating and worshipful style of the hymn. It didn't take long to add the third verse and modernize some of the other language of the hymn. To my knowledge, we've only sung it once as a congregation since April- so I was as surprised as any one else Wednesday night when the conference opened with it!
I've included the alternate lyrics below a short description of the hymn and the original lyrics as found on the Center for Church Music website where you can also find and mp3 file of a congregation singing the original lyrics. There is also information available there about Christian Bateman who wrote the original lyrics and the melody know as MADRID, attributed to English choirmaster W. Matthews.
It's so encouraging to me to see how the Lord continues to use the writings of His people, even generations after they're gone. I wrote the following little poem some years ago contemplating a similar theme:
The stars I see are yesteryear's;
Their glow, from flames of glory past.
And now my life, a light, appears;
How far will my effect be cast?
Another note from the conference: the poem I read from the floor microphone entitled "Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment" was posted August 7th and can also be found by clicking on the 'Gospel' category to the left. I also recommend Bob Kauflin's notes from the conference- and worship in general- available at Worshipmatters.com
Blessings to all...Kevin
 "Come Christians, Join to Sing" began as a Sunday school song for children. Originally entitled, "Come, Children, Join to Sing," the hymn's name was changed when its author realized everyone loved to sing his hymn. The hymn was written in 1843 and first appeared in a Scottish hymnbook for children entitled Sacred Melodies for Sabbath Schools and Families. The words "alleluia" and "amen" are found in each stanza, drawing on rich biblical language. "Alleluia", the Latin equivalent of Hallelujah, is found in many of the Psalms and means "Praise the Lord." "Amen," of course, ends many prayers, and it simply means "truth," "assuredly," or "so be it." Combining the praise of "Alleluia" with the jubilant assertion of "Amen" this hymn resounds with praise for Christ our King. Calling on Christians to sing praise both now and forevermore, it's a fitting hymn for children and adults alike. |
Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice,
Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He'll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet our Christ again,
Alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On heaven's blissful shore,
His goodness we'll adore,
Singing forevermore,
"Alleluia! Amen!"
Alternate Lyrics - Sung at the Conference
Come, Christians, join to sing,
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice.
Alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
He will His grace extend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!
Come, praise the risen Lamb,
Alleluia! Amen!
He died to ransom man.
Alleluia! Amen!
On that triumphant day,
He took our sins away;
Death could not bid Him stay,
Alleluia! Amen!
Come, let our praise remain,
Alleluia! Amen!
Death shall not end the strain;
Alleluia! Amen!
On that eternal shore,
His goodness we'll adore,
Singing forevermore,
"Alleluia! Amen!"
