Author: mbruce

Myron Bruce is the Head of the School (President) for East Texas Christian Academy in Tyler, Texas. He has served as the Director of Development for Freed-Hardeman University, Associate Minister with the Faith Village church of Christ in Wichita Falls, Texas and Congregation Life Minister with the Waterview church of Christ in Richardson, Texas. Prior to the ministry, he served 15 years in public, charter and private education at all levels and in the states of Texas and Colorado. He and his wife, Vicki, met at Lubbock Christian College and married in August of 1989. His education includes a Bachelor Degree in K-12 Kinesiology, and a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Northern Colorado. They have three grown children; Logan, Emili & Dillon.
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Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 3

As we conclude this series on ‘Securing the Hearts of Our Youth’, let’s example the third component of mentoring and preparing faithful families.  Let’s turn again to examine the three previously mentioned, elements of securing their hearts.  I truly believe that each of these will help us in drawing our youth closer to God.

Part 1, focused on the importance of a faithful example.  Remember your consistency and faithfulness as you talk with your children, walk through your life and choice your path.  Your example, in some cases, will impact people more than you words.  Our second component (Part 2) addressed the idea of providing opportunities for involvement in the work of the church.  We can include our young people when we give them a chance to work.  Remember, if they’re ‘thirsty’ they’ll ‘drink.’

We have talked about the value of a good example and the importance of training and teaching our young people.  And though these two methods of preparation are vital and needed to direct our youth, we must never forgot the ‘WHY’ behind it all.  For the past 10 years I have taught the college class at our congregation.  There has been Sunday mornings when only three (3) students came to class.  And then again, there have been Wednesday nights when more than thirty (30) young men and women filled the room.  During each class I ask them; “Why?  Why are you here?  No one is making you come; you are here because you chose to be.  Why?”  When we can come to understand the reason we attend a Bible study with God’s people is more than just habit, then they will grow closer to seeing the importance of doing more than just going through the motions.  As a congregation and as individual families we strive to set the proper example.  We focus on training and teaching our young people to serve (men to lead) in the Lord’s church, but our children must come to know why we do what we do.

During the early 1700’s, Isaac Watts at the age of 45, wrote a poem entitled “How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?”  The poem, a song many have sung for years, asks the question we set as the pinnacle in exploring our objective; Mentoring Faithful Adults into a Life of Service.  How can we safe guard the hearts of our young people for Godly service?  Isaac Watt’s doesn’t miss a beat.  His answer comes from the second part of Psalm 119:9 “…by keeping it (a young man’s ways) according to Your word.”  The song states; “Thy Word the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean.”  How else can we, should we, mentor faithful adults if not through the Word of God.  The Psalmist continues as he writes in the 119th Psalm, “With all my heart I have sought You…Your word I have treasured in my heart…with my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth…I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.  I shall delight in Your statues; I shall not forget Your word.”  Notice the example of seeking God and treasuring His word in our hearts; of mediating on His instruction and delighting (making a priority) of his statutes (the Law of Christ).  As we mentor our young people and train them, we’ll teach them how to tell others about the ordinances (the word) of God.

We have a massive obligation to mentor our young people.  We need to begin early and continue mentoring often.  Our responsibility should never be take lightly.  If you still have children at home, focus your attention on bringing them to God…literally.  Don’t let culture dictate where they will go and what they will do.  Be certain, if you don’t show them that God is first in your life, the world will show they what it holds to be important.  And remember mentoring our young adults must start with you, the parent.   If you have grown children who are no longer faithful and no longer under your guidance; be sure you have your priorities right and pray for an opportunity to correct any errors from your past. You may still be able to sway them if they a change in your life.  If you have no children but want to impact and influence ‘the next generation’, search your heart and be sure you’re focused on Godliness.  Seek ways to teach, train and encourage the young adults in your congregation.  It’s never too late to secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin.  Use God’s word as the light that will guide them through the dangers of the night.  Rest assured, God’s Word is everlasting truth and every page of His word is pure!  Using the Bible as our foundation in life will guide our young people and, as Isaac Watts wrote, will well support our age.

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Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 2

As we consider the importance of ‘securing the hearts of our young people’ for a life of faithful service, let’s continue to investigate the components of this pressing topic.  Digging deeper into the question at hand, we turn again to examine the previously mentioned, three basic elements of securing their hearts.  Together, I believe that each of these will help us in mentoring our youth.

To review ‘Part 1’, let’s reiterate the importance of a faithful example in mentoring our youth.  Consistency and faithfulness on an individual basis is important.  But next let’s consider the wisdom in the old saying, ‘You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’  So if the time of establishing expectations is passed and the individual choice is in place, we have to ask the burning question; “If I can’t make a horse drink the water, what will make a horse drink?”  Here in lies the second method of training up and teaching our young people faithfulness.  A horse lead to water will drink…when he’s thirsty.  An understandable conclusion, but what indeed makes a horse WANT to drink?  A thirsty horse is one that has been working.  We must provide opportunities and for our young people to get involved in the work of the church.  There are vast areas where we expect work to be done around the church building and within the church family.  So who will do the work?  Often it’s easier to hire out the work to be done (missionaries, janitors, etc.) rather than putting the onus of responsibility on the family.

We live in a modest home in north Dallas with a good size yard on a corner lot.  One look around the house and you’ll find we have lots of grass to mow in both the front and back yards.  But who will do it?  For several years I hired out the work to a local lawn service.  They made it look easy and quick (actually they were much quicker than me) and the cost was minimal.  But then my oldest boy turned 12.  My wife and I quickly realized that the monthly cost for mowing could be put toward a new lawn mower and some yard accessories and then he could work with me mowing the yard.  But it wasn’t easy at first.  My son had to be trained.  There were times I was frustrated and could have simply told him to step aside and let me do it.  (Actually, that was said on more than one occasion.)  However, if he was to learn to serve the family and ultimately be able to do work in the yard by himself, he had to be taught, trained and provided the opportunity to ‘get involved.’  Let the young, baptized men of your congregation go to work serving.  Train them to read scripture and serve on the Lord’s Table.  Teach them, as Christ did, how to pray.  Show them how they can lead (yes…even the song service).  Let the young ladies get involved too.  Teach them how to teach in the toddler’s classes.  Introduce them to building bulletin boards or even baking unleavened bread.  Give them opportunities to be involved and start getting thirty.  But you know…training will take time and energy.  So ask yourself the question; “Do I really want the help secure the heart of our youth?”  If we want our young people to grow into a life of faithful service, we must we willing to do what it takes to mentor them into serving.

How shall the young secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin?  Next time we’ll look at the third and most vital of all elements when it comes to preparing our youth.  You’ll remember…“Thy word the choicest rules in part…”  See you next time!

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Securing the Hearts of Our Youth…Part 1

“How shall the young secure their hearts, and guard their lives from sin?”  Though penned almost three hundred years ago, this question continues to echo through the ages.  Finding its roots in Psalm 119:9, “How can a young man keep his ways pure?”  this passage and song express the concern of God-fearing parents and congregations of Lord’s church across the world.  We who are genuinely concerned about the spiritual well-being of our children seek to know what can be done to take on the wiles of the devil.  Many congregations actively study and prepare their teens for baptism; an admirable and Biblical objective but one that falls short if we fail to teach our youth the character of discipleship.  As we prepare our young people for a life of faithful service, we must example the elements necessary to answer the question, “How shall the young secure their hearts?”

As we investigate the answer to this question, let’s look at three basic methods that will help us draw closer to understanding how we can mentor our youth toward a life of faithful service in Christ.  If we take the approach that we must begin preparing our young adults (the college student or the recent high school graduate) for a life in Christ, we are (quite frankly) about 20 years late.  The ‘mentoring’ of our youth must begin during the formative years of childhood; a principle that is fundamental in history as well as Biblical text.  But where does it begin?  Who bears the burden of responsibility for their foundation of faith?  Can I wait until my son reaches grade school to begin to impart ‘words of wisdom’?  As our young people begin life on their own, whether as a college student or a young professional, they take with them the building blocks from an early childhood.  Fathers and mothers alike must model an example of Biblical consistency and Spiritual faithfulness.  In a word, make God your priority and be certain your children know it.

That includes making worship on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights (or your mid-week Bible study) more important than the baseball tournament on Sunday morning.  When your congregation hosts a Gospel Meeting on the same Monday night your son is playing in a soccer tournament; you’ll need to ask yourself, “To which of these events will I take my child?”  If your child’s coach calls for practice on Wednesday night, parents, you will model an example of Biblical consistency and Spiritual faithfulness when you inform your child’s coach that, “We won’t be there.  Our family has already made plans to meet for Bible study tonight.”  But you must understand this one basic principle: you can never make that statement if you as the parent fail to put God and Godly living first.  What will your children see when they learn that your boss has given you tickets to the NBA playoffs, on Sunday night.  Depending on where you go will be teaching your children about priorities.  But this is all about making right choices when my family is young.  What do I do if they are older, perhaps on their own and making their own decisions?  How can I mentor young adults into a life of faithful service?

Let’s continue next time as we consider the importance of securing the hearts and lives of our young people.  Remember the first step is to model an example of Biblical consistency and Spiritual faithfulness.

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Down to the River…

Today is the ‘kickoff’ of the 26th Annual Red River Family Encampment in Red River, New Mexico.  In 1987 more than 400 brothers and sisters in Christ met in the New Mexico mountains for the first RRFE.  As we plan for this year’s encampment we are excited about the speakers and lessons that have been planned.  My family and I first experienced Red River in 2002.  We were blessed by the week and from that experience a song was set in my mind.

You may remember the movie with Alison Krauss, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” released in 2000.  This movie gave popularity to the song, “Down in the River to Pray”.  For the last several years this song has found its way into some of our worship services.   But where did it come from?  Is there Biblical precedence for this ‘spiritual song’?  Some historians claim that this song was originally composed and known as “The Good Old Way”.  G.H. (George H.) Allen is recognized as the composer for this piece, and its contents can be found in a section of an old slave song book from 1867.  The song is also known as “Come, Let Us All Go Down”, but has most recently been known as “Down to the River to Pray”, and alternately as “Down in the River to Pray”.  However, the original song, calls for the worshiper to ‘go to a valley’…not a river.  Notice the original words.

“As I went down in de valley to pray,
Studying about dat good old way,
When you shall wear de starry crown,
Good Lord, show me de way.
O mourner, let’s go down, let’s do down, let’s go down,
O mourner, let’s go down, Down in de valley to pray”

Since these are the original words, what is to be said about ‘de valley?’  If, as some suspect, George Allan was a slave in Nashville, one could conclude the valley is somewhere in Tennessee, since there are many valleys there.  Or is there a Biblical reference here from Joel 3:14, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decisions!  For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision!”  There is much more that is intriguing about this song, and many questions still linger.  But what about the word changed from ‘valley’ to ‘river’, what was significant (or Biblical) about going to a river?  And, for those who want to go into the river to pray (and not just to the river), would this be an implied message about baptism?  Perhaps we can find a clearer understanding from John 7:37, 38 when Christ said, “If anyone is thirst, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'”  Whatever the message, the composer was most likely thinking of family, as mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers are ‘called’.  One can almost imagine a slave family clinging to one another in this song’s embrace.  And, as verse 5 closes, we are all sinners.  It is interesting that a song which may have found it’s origin from slaves, still resonates in our culture 150 years later.

And today, as I sit in the small mountain town of Red River, New Mexico I encourage those who would read these words to ‘go down’ (to the valley or the river) and pray.  This week at RRFE we’ll be singing, studying, learning, listening and praying…down in the river.

Look again and read this old spiritual song…

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!
O sisters let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
O sisters let’s go down, down in the river to pray.”

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!
O brothers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
Come on brothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray.”

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!
O fathers let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
O fathers let’s go down, down in the river to pray.”

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!
O mothers let’s go down, come on down, don’t you want’a go down.
O mothers let’s go down, down in the river to pray.”

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!
O sinners let’s go down, let’s go down, come on down.
O sinners let’s go down, down in the river to pray.”

“As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good old way
and who shall wear a robe and crown.  Good Lord, show me the way!”




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Let’s Gather at the River!

When we read Revelation chapters 21 and 22, John is describing a vision of heaven as he spends his last days in exile on the island of Patmos.  From the beginning of this book to its close, we come to understand God’s desire for men to realize His promise of heaven and the assurance of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.  Actually, the first three chapters are Christ’s words as He details the future of seven churches in Asia (a lesson for each of us to take to heart).  But as we read the first verse of chapter 22, the description of heaven includes, “…a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Many have tried to capture the image of heaven; as they draw a picture of the pearly gates and streets of gold (Revelation 21:21).  But in 1864 Robert Lowry, sweltering in the summer heat of New York, began to imagine and visualize the ‘cool, crystal river flowing by the throne of God.’  His inspiration brought him to write this classic hymn that many still sing today.  Notice the message of heaven as he writes:

“Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod;
With it’s crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?”

This verse he penned comes as a question.  A call to those who sing as well as to those who hear, do you want to come to the river by God’s throne?  He continues with his encouragement as he writes about being with God in heaven.  The song continues…

“On the margin of the river, washing up it’s silver spray;
We will walk and worship ever all the happy, golden day.”

“Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver and provide a robe and crown.”

“Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace.”

As we read/sing this poem describing heaven we harken back to the chorus (the refrain) which in essence answers the question from verse one.  With a unified voice, the congregation responses, “Yes we’ll gather at the river!  The beautiful, the beautiful river.  Gather with saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.”  Next time you sing this song I hope you will think about and anticipation the excitement we have to look forward to in heaven.

But there is more to my motivation for writing about this song than just remembering an old hymn from Robert Lowry.  As I write this article more than 1000 Christians from across the country are converging in on Red River, New Mexico for the 26th Annual RRFE (Red River Family Encampment).  A week dedicated to Bible study, wonderful Bible-based lessons, worship, singing and fellowship in the cool, Rocky Mountains of New Mexico.  This year it is my honor to lead singing for the encampment as well as teach three classes on understanding and appreciating congregational singing.  If you live somewhat close to Red River, New Mexico you might want to come on down this year.  But certainly you’ll want to mark your calendar for next summer, June 22-26, for RRFE.

Heaven will be more than we can imagine.  Whether the streets are pure gold and the twelve gates are made of pearl, I don’t know.  But this I know…it will be more beautiful and more fantastic than you and I can picture.  Words fall short of describing the elegance and majesty we’ll see when we meet around God’s throne.  Red River isn’t heaven, but the joy of being with fellow Christians, and sharing in hours of singing and praise to God is perhaps as close as we’ll get to heaven here on earth.  So next year, I hope you’ll join us and let’s, “Gather with the saints at the river…”

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What’s in a Word?

Do you take the time to think about words?  In my speech I typically use words to which I know the meaning.  But how very often do we find ourselves singing songs, and saying words we don’t know?  This can happen when you consider the poetry of our hymns.  The rhyme and meter of a song might call for a word that is uncommon in our every day vernacular.  So we are faced with one of three options.  Not that these are our only choices, but most likely this is what it will come down to.

Option #1:  We can throw the song out.  That is a common response because some will say, “I don’t know what I’m saying anyway.”  Personally, I believe this is an easy way out and one that will ultimately cheat you of spiritual growth and knowledge.  (Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…)

Option #2:  We keep on singing the song even though we don’t understanding what we’re singing.  This is where most of us are today.  A song so familiar I know it by heart.  Actually, for many, we don’t even need the book.  Memorization and having a ‘ready recollection’ is a good thing, but this can be a danger if you’re not aware of the trap.  In regards to our faith, Paul admonishes us to ‘examine (y)ourselves‘, I Corinthians 13:5.  The same holds true to our singing of songs.

Option #3:  (In my opinion this is the ONLY option for Christians…)  We must learn what the words mean that we are singing.  In must be reiterated over and over again…if you don’t know what a word or phrase means, look it up.  Christ says it perfectly in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first (or continually seek) His kingdom and His righteousness…”.  It might take some time but don’t be afraid to ask someone for understanding.  You will be doing yourself a favor.  In a word, be diligent and search for understanding.

Now let’s put it to work!  Find a song that has a word (or words) you don’t recognize and then search out the meaning.  To get you started let’s look at song from the mid-1700’s penned by the renowned hymn writer, Charles Wesley. 

“Soldier’s of Christ, Arise and put your armor on;
Strong in the strength which God supplies…Thru His beloved Son.”

“Strong in the Lord of hosts and in His mighty power;
Who in the strength of Jesus trust…is more than conqueror.”

“Stand then, in His great might, with all His strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God.”

Two words might have caught your eye here, endued and panoply.  By definition endue means to provide or be endowed with something.  A panoply is “A complete or impressive collection of things” or “a splendid display.”  Now sing this verse again;

“Stand then, in His great might, with all His strength endued (provided); but take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply (complete, impressive collection of His armor {see verse 1}) of God.”  Let’s keep ‘singing’!

“Leave no unguarded place, no weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole.”

Again, two words might have caught your eye here, virtue and fortify.  For clarification, virtue is ‘moral excellence’ and with it you can ‘strengthen or make strong’ the soul.  To interpret this verse… “Don’t leave any weak point in your spiritual life.  Take every morally excellent thing along with God’s grace and use it to strengthen your soul.”

“That having all things done, and all your conflicts past,
You may overcome through Christ alone, and stand entire at last.”

Translated;  “When this life is over and all our struggles are complete, if you have held on to the armor of God and lived a life worthy of His calling…you will be prepared to stand before God at judgment.”  Notice Romans 4:10, “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” and again in II Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”  Sing from your heart (spirit) and you’ll be singing with understanding (your mind).  I Corinthians 14:15

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He Led Me Home!

It was early in the fall of 1993 when Kent (my brother-in-law) and I made plans to take a hunting trip in the Colorado mountains.  He is a native Coloradoan and certainly no stranger to hunting, hiking or making his way through the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains.  To ensure this would be a smooth trip, we were only going up for the day.  We left early on that Saturday morning with our plans to be back later that same evening.  We (he) knew the mountains, we had our objective (and license) and we were secure.

The day progressed as we had planned and within a few hours we had come upon some promising evidence that this would be a worthwhile trip.  By early afternoon Kent had found fresh sign and a good track to follow.  Within a few minutes we were on the hunt for a bull elk and at least one of his cows.  Walking up hill and through 2 feet of snow is much easier for the four-legged critters and so much more difficult for those of us with only two-legs.  Each minute we seemed to be getting closer, and yet the rush of adrenaline clouded the fact we were walking deeper and deeper into unfamiliar territory.  On more than one occasion we saw the flash of a tail or caught the whiff of elk, but as the sun climbed high into the Colorado sky a feeling of uncertainty had begun to sink in.  We had walked long and farther than we could have imagined.  Two, three mountain pikes had been crossed and it was clear…we had gone too far to retrace our steps.  The falling snow had covered most of our previous foot prints, and the final evidence we found of our quarry was the tracks he left as he cleared a 9-foot rock wall.  He was gone and we were lost.

Obviously this hunting trip came to a peaceful end but unlike Kent, I was feeling scared and unsure of the night that had begun to fall.  With patience and foresight he lead us down the mountain and we made our way to a road.  All along I think he knew that it would lead us out of the unknown and into the familiarity of a mountain cabin.  It was an agonizingly long day for me, and one that I will not soon forgot.  If I had been alone and tried to rely on my own understanding of ‘how to get home’, I most likely would have never made it.  But my guide, my brother-in-law, knew what to do and how to proceed in the face of uncertainty.  He led me home!

In a life that take us up one steep hill after another, and leads us across exceptionally rough terrain, do we know who leads us?  Taking on this kind of experience alone, and trusting in your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) will lead you into deeper, more difficult struggles.  Often we get into a mess like this because the promise of glory, the scent of success is just around the corner.  ‘A few more steps and I’ll be able to grasp my prize.’  But would that we realize the deception of the devil to be just as enticing, and just as alluring.  When you’ve gone too far, who will lead you home?  Is there a guide to help you find your way?

J.H. Gilmore wrote the words to a song that reminds me who should be leading my life.  Do you let God lead you?  Is the thought of His guidance a comfort to you?  With all this we must understand, God won’t make you follow Him.  He leads me and I make the decision to either, “go it alone” or let Him lead me.  When times are difficult and my path seems too hard to traverse, it’s then I must remember these words:

1) “He leadeth me: O blessed thought!  O words with heavenly comfort fraught! (filled with…) Whatever I do, wherever I be, Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.”

2) “Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden’s bowers (shady, leafy recess) bloom, By waters still, o’er troubled sea still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.”

3) “And when my task on earth is done, when by Thy grace the victory is won,
even death’s cold wave I will not flee, since God thru Jordan leadeth me.”

Chorus: “He leadeth me, He leadeth me, By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me.”

I trust in God for He is faithful…and He will lead me home!

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What is the Meter? Part 2

Last time we discussed the idea of, “…recognizing the music, but not the words?”  It’s important to note that the opposite can be true too.  Sometimes I’ll recognize the words, but can’t place the tune.  Let’s continue to investigate and determine the idea of METER.  (Note: Some have been know to refer to “meter” as the time signature. For example, saying that a song has 4/4 meter means that it is sung in 4/4 time. This use of the word “meter” is not applicable in this dialogue.)

If you are unsure of the tune for a particular hymn, you can use any tune which has the same meter.  However, it is best to match the ‘musical rhythms’ with the ‘literary rhythms’ in order to match the tune with the correct mood.  Fortunately some of our hymnals have lists of tunes sorted by meter; such as “Songs of Faith and Praise”, page 1042.  This is great help to introduce a new thought (song) with a familiar tune.  In addition, I would recommend checking out the extensive list found on the Cyberhymnal web site (www.cyberhymnal.org) and search under the tab Tunes by Meter.

In some cases, you might see a “D” added to the end of a meter.  This means that the meter repeats itself…to be clear, it’s “doubled”.  An example of this can be found in the song I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say by Horatius Bonar.  We see it has eight lines.  The first four lines are in Common Meter, as are the second four lines (86 86 and 86 86).  That is what makes the meter for this hymn CMD (Common Meter, Doubled: 86 86 D).  In addition, an interesting note comes for those who might have seen “86 86D w/Refrain” in regards to the meter of the song.  This means that the verses are in Common Meter, Doubled, plus a refrain.  An example of this song could be found in John Yakes song, Faith is the Victory.  In order to determine the meter of the refrain, you’ll simply need to count syllables.

Some hymns do not have a regular meter, either because there is no consistent number of syllables per line, or because the number of syllables per line is not consistent in the verses.  Examples include The Battle Belongs to the Lord by Jamie Owens-Collins or E.M Barlett’s song, Victory in Jesus.  Such songs will have the notation “Irregular.”

For almost four century, it was common for a congregation to sing/know only about 10-12 specific tunes. It was believed during this time that this was a adequate number of tunes for any congregation to handle with efficiency. Historians believe and stand by the idea that all songs with Common Meter were sung to with the same one or two tunes.  The same was true for Short Meter and Long Meter.

Please keep in mind, as you ‘experiment’ with different tunes and match up different words (creating ‘new songs’), you will want to find ones in which 1) the meter fits, 2) the proper mood is established (words match tempo and rhythms), and 3) start with songs and tunes which you know, you can learn and you are able to teach.  Singing with understanding is important…even as we consider the meter!

 

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What is the Meter? Part 1

Have you ever found yourself singing a song and thinking, “I recognize the music, but I don’t recognize these words?”  Reading this post will hopefully help you answer and understand this question.   This is the first of a two part blog as we strive to understand the importance of singing and learning the meter of a song.

A song typically begins as a poem, and then is paired with an appropriate tune.  (However, it’s true that at times song writers have written the musical signature and then added the words.)  In either case, a musician builds a song for presentation (or teaching).  Whether the words come first or the notes, he or she will first determine the musical meter.

Musical meter refers to the numbers of syllables per line of the verse of the song.  This can be a excellent way to teach singing to younger children.  In the song book edited by Alton Howard (Songs of Faith & Praise), this information is provided for the reader on page 1042.  Yet in many cases, you will need to count the syllables for yourself.  This tends to ring true especially in many of our older hymnals.

To explore this further, let’s take a look at the first verse of the song When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  To find the meter for this song we would simply count the number of syllables in each line (hyphens have been added to make it easy to see the syllables):

When I sur-vey the won-drous cross
On which the Prince of Glor-y died
My rich-est gain I count but loss
And pour con-tempt on all my pride.

As we count the number of syllables within each line of this song, we see each line contains eight (8) syllables.  Understanding this, we can see the meter of this old hymn by Issac Watts, is 88 88.  An interesting point comes in knowing that some meters occur on such a regular basis that we have given them names.  For example…

  • Like the song noted above, 88 88 is referred to as Long Meter (abbreviated LM).  Another example would be Father and Friend, Thy Light, Thy Love by John Bowring as well as Lord, Speak to Me by Frances R. Havergal.

  • Another popular meter for songs is Common Meter (abbreviated CM) and the meter for these songs is simply 86 86.  Familiar songs for this meter would include; I’m Not Ashamed to Own My Lord and How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts both written by Isaac Watts and/or How Sweet, How Heavenly by Joseph Swain.

  • 66 86 is called Short Meter, and is abbreviated SM.  Some songs you might recognize that are SM are, God Is the Fountain Whence by Benjamin Beddome, Rise Up, O Men of God by William Merrill and This Is My Father’s World by Maltbie D. Babcock.

There’s so much more to discuss and explore when it comes to understanding and appreciating meter with our songs.  (As a matter of fact, try it out and you’ll see how fun it is to sing the words of old songs to ‘new’ tunes.)  Come back again and we’ll consider another thought as we continue to better understand the meter of a song.

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Why Not…Tonight?

“O do not let the Word depart, and close thine eyes against the light; Poor sinner, harden not thy heart: be saved, O tonight.  Tomorrow’s sun may never rise to bless my long deluded sight.  This is the time, O then be wise: be saved, O tonight.  Our God in pity lingers still, and wilt thou thus His love requite?  Renounce at once thy stubborn will: be saved O tonight.  Our blessed Lord refuses none who would to Him their souls unite; Believe, obey, the work is done: be saved O tonight.”

You can’t sing this old hymn without hearing the urgency in the words to turn your life around and giving your life over to God.  But if you read these words closely you might be uncertain as to what you’re actually saying.  For example; what does it mean when you sing verse 3… “and wilt thou thus His love requite?”  The Old English in this verse is rich, so let’s break it down word by word.  ‘Wilt’ is the same as saying will, ‘thou’ is ‘you’ and thus is the same as therefore.  But what does the word ‘requite’ even mean?  In Webster’s dictionary the word requite means to “repay or return”.  Now notice this verse again; “Our God in pity lingers still (translated: God is waiting with compassion for us to come to Him), and wilt thou thus His love requite? (translated: and will you therefore return His love?)  Renounce at once thy stubborn will (translated: declare now that you will stop being so stubborn and…) be saved, O tonight.

Elizabeth Reed penned this old spiritual song in 1842.  Her message of urgency is clear within the chorus as we repeat the pressing question; “O why not tonight?  O why not tonight?  Wilt (will) thou (you) be saved?  (Do you want to go to heaven?)  Then why not tonight?  Written more than 150 years ago and the plea is strong and true today.  But is there still any urgency in this busy life to change our life styles?  Fast cars, tight schedules and misplaced priorities equal a life that is too busy (too stubborn) to slow down and requite anything.  However, if we are really wise we’ll come to realize that this is the time, be saved tonight!

 

If you have never opened God’s word to see what He calls you to do, do that today!  Start in the book of Acts and read how God’s church started.  This a good day to start and remember, Elizabeth Reed was right when she wrote, “tomorrow’s sun may never rise”.  We’re never guaranteed another day, but unless you realize why you have the day you have you will never come to see the urgency of ‘being saved’.