O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING – EMHB 1
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Composer: Carl G. Glaser (1784-1829)
Tune: Azmon
Biblical Reference: “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord”. – Psalm 150:6
Introduction
It is generally agreed that Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley have been the two most influential writers of English Hymnody to date. God providentially raised Charles Wesley up to take the harp of Watts when the older poet laid it down and thus kept the Church’s song vibrant.
“O for a thousand tongues” was written on the occasion of Charles’ eleventh anniversary of his own Aldersgate conversion experience. It is thought to have been inspired by a chance remark by Peter Bohler, an influential Moravian leader who exclaimed “Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ Jesus with all of them”.
The Hymn originally had nineteen stanzas and when published was entitled “For the anniversary day of one’s conversion”. Most of the verses no longer used, dealt in a very personal way with Wesley’s conversion experience.
Charles Wesley died on March 29, 1788 having spent over 50 years in the service of the Lord he loved so intimately and served so effectively even as he laid on his death bed, it was said that he dictated a final Hymn of Praise to his wife.
Let us all sing this Hymn as if each one of us has a thousand tongues.
EMHB 1
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of thy name.
3. Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.
4. He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
5. He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
6. See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Composer: Carl G. Glaser (1784-1829)
Tune: Azmon
Biblical Reference: “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord”. – Psalm 150:6
Introduction
It is generally agreed that Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley have been the two most influential writers of English Hymnody to date. God providentially raised Charles Wesley up to take the harp of Watts when the older poet laid it down and thus kept the Church’s song vibrant.
“O for a thousand tongues” was written on the occasion of Charles’ eleventh anniversary of his own Aldersgate conversion experience. It is thought to have been inspired by a chance remark by Peter Bohler, an influential Moravian leader who exclaimed “Had I a thousand tongues, I would praise Christ Jesus with all of them”.
The Hymn originally had nineteen stanzas and when published was entitled “For the anniversary day of one’s conversion”. Most of the verses no longer used, dealt in a very personal way with Wesley’s conversion experience.
Charles Wesley died on March 29, 1788 having spent over 50 years in the service of the Lord he loved so intimately and served so effectively even as he laid on his death bed, it was said that he dictated a final Hymn of Praise to his wife.
Let us all sing this Hymn as if each one of us has a thousand tongues.
EMHB 1
1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
2. My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of thy name.
3. Jesus! The name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
‘Tis life, and health, and peace.
4. He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.
5. He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
6. See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
Adesegun Akitoye
