The consolations of God - Twelfth in a series
For this post, I had planned to select five hymns as the most consoling ones ever written. I began my research at HymnTime.com, but did not quite make it through the “A’s”! There are too many consoling hymns to select only five. However, here are my candidates for the most consoling ones whose titles start with “A” along with the verse I vote for as Best Consoling Stanza.
1. Abide with Me - lyrics, Henry Lyte, 1847
Fourth stanza:
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Jesus, our friend and intercessor, is moved by our pleas.
2. All the Way My Savior Leads Me - lyrics, Fanny Crosby, published 1875
First stanza:
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
Jesus, divine comforter by His Spirit, makes no mistakes.
3. Almighty Father of Mankind - lyrics, Michael Bruce (1746-1767)
Fifth stanza:
Thou wilt not cast me off when age
And evil days descend;
Thou wilt not leave me in despair
To mourn my latter end.
Jesus is with us always, to the end of the age, or the end of our days.
4. And Can It Be That I Should Gain - lyrics, Charles Wesley, pub. 1738
Sixth stanza:
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
5. Arise, My Soul, Arise - lyrics, Charles Wesley, pub. 1742
Fifth stanza:
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7) As God and His Word console us, we naturally are led to compose hymns and to sing.