1 WORSHIP, and thanks, and blessing,
And strength ascribe to Jesus!
Jesus alone
Defends his own,
When earth and hell oppress us.
Jesus with joy we witness
Almighty to deliver;
Our seals set to,
That God is true,
And reigns a King for ever.
2 Omnipotent Redeemer,
Our ransomed souls adore thee;
Our Saviour thou,
We find it now,
And give thee all the glory.
We sing thine arm unshortened,
Brought through our sore temptation;
With heart and voice
In thee rejoice,
The God of our salvation.
3 Thine arm hath safely brought us
A way no more expected,
Than when thy sheep
Passed through the deep,
By crystal walls protected.
Thy glory was our rear-ward,
Thine hand our lives did cover,
And we, even we,
Have passed the sea,
And marched triumphant over.
4 The world, and Satan's malice
Thou, Jesus, hast confounded;
And, by thy grace,
With songs of praise
Our happy souls resounded.
Accepting our deliverance,
We triumph in thy favour,
And for the love
Which now we prove,
Shall praise thy name for ever.
Worship and thanks and blessing
Worship, And Thanks, And Blessing Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Worship, And Thanks, And Blessing: A Song of Praise
Introduction:
"Worship, And Thanks, And Blessing" is a hymn written by Charles Wesley, a prolific hymn writer of the 18th century. This hymn is a powerful declaration of praise and adoration to Jesus Christ, acknowledging His sovereignty, salvation, and glory.
1. The Majesty of Jesus Christ:
The hymn begins with a call to worship, as the servants of God are encouraged to proclaim and publish abroad the wonderful name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is described as "all-victorious" and His kingdom is declared to be glorious and ruling over all. This sets the tone for the rest of the hymn, emphasizing the majesty and power of Jesus Christ.
2. The Presence of God:
The second verse highlights the reality of God's presence in our lives, even though He may be hidden from our sight. It emphasizes that God is almighty to save and that His triumph is celebrated by the great congregation. This verse reminds us that God is with us in every situation and that we can trust in His deliverance.
3. Salvation through Jesus:
The hymn then moves to a declaration of salvation. It proclaims that salvation belongs to God, who sits on the throne. It encourages all to cry aloud and honor the Son, Jesus Christ. The praises of Jesus are proclaimed by angels, who fall down on their faces to worship the Lamb. This verse highlights the central message of Christianity, that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.
4. Giving Glory to Jesus:
The final verse of the hymn calls for adoration and the giving of glory to Jesus. It acknowledges that all glory, power, wisdom, honor, and blessing belong to Him. The angels are joined by believers in offering thanks and praise to Jesus for His infinite love. This verse reminds us of the eternal nature of our worship and the response of gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us.
Meaning and Inspiration:
The meaning of "Worship, And Thanks, And Blessing" is to exalt Jesus Christ as the all-powerful and victorious Savior. It is a hymn of praise and worship, acknowledging His sovereignty, salvation, and glory. The inspiration behind this song comes from the biblical teachings of the majesty of Jesus Christ, His role as the Savior, and the call to worship and give thanks to Him.
Critically Analyzing the Biblical Foundation:
To determine if the song is biblical, let us analyze the main key messages of the song and evaluate them with biblical references:
1. The Majesty of Jesus Christ:
The Bible clearly teaches the majesty and power of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:9-11, it says, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This verse confirms the declaration in the hymn that Jesus is all-victorious and rules over all.
2. The Presence of God:
The hymn emphasizes the presence of God in our lives, even when He may be hidden from our sight. This aligns with biblical teachings such as Psalm 139:7-10, which says, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." This verse assures us that God is always present with us, providing comfort and guidance.
3. Salvation through Jesus:
The central message of the hymn is the proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear that salvation comes through faith in Jesus alone. Acts 4:12 states, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." This verse affirms the lyrics of the hymn that salvation belongs to God and is found in Jesus Christ.
4. Giving Glory to Jesus:
The final verse of the hymn calls for adoration and the giving of glory to Jesus. This aligns with biblical teachings such as Revelation 5:12, which says, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" This verse confirms that all glory and honor belong to Jesus Christ, and it is fitting for believers to offer thanks and praise to Him.
In conclusion, "Worship, And Thanks, And Blessing" by Charles Wesley is a biblically grounded hymn that exalts Jesus Christ as the all-powerful and victorious Savior. Its main messages align with biblical teachings on the majesty of Jesus, the presence of God in our lives, salvation through Jesus, and the call to give glory to Him. This hymn serves as a reminder for believers to worship and give thanks to Jesus for His infinite love and salvation.
