Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,

Today I was reading that Jim Elliot, the missionary that was killed by the Auca Indians in the jungle of Ecuador, wrote in his journal, “'Faith makes life so even, gives one such confidence, that the words of men are as wind.”

Talking about faith, I recall the life of Ray Palmer.  He was twenty-two years old and a little frustrated because he wanted to be a minister but he was stuck in a girls’ school in New York.  During this depression, Palmer found a German poem about a sinner kneeling before the cross.  He translated it and added four stanzas.  He never thought that these lyrics might become a popular hymn in the 1800’s, but God led Ray Palmer into an encounter with Lowell Mason.  Mason was very popular because he wrote several melodies for several hymns.  During this encounter, Mason asked Palmer if he had some lyrics or poems or hymns to contribute to his new collection.  Palmer bashfully showed Mason these verses and Mason said to him, “You may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of ‘My Faith Looks Up to Thee.’”

This hymn has been a comfort for many believers through the years, and even though in these times it is not that popular, the words are still powerful, and they are a great tool to worship our God.

Enjoy the words of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee.”

My faith looks up to thee,
thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
take all my guilt away.
O let me from this day
be wholly thine!

May thy rich grace impart
strength to my fainting heart,
my zeal inspire.
As thou hast died for me,
O may my love to thee
pure, warm, and changeless be,
a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow’s tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.

When life’s swift race is run,
death’s cold work almost done,
be near to me.
Blest Savior, then, in love
fear and distrust remove.
O bear me safe above,
redeemed and free!

In His service,
Israel