Wednesday, November 23, 2005

The Love of God

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Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were ev'ry stalk on earth a quill,
And ev'ry man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Tho' stretched from sky to sky.


that is the 3rd stanza, in the lovely old hymn The Love of God ... the first 2 stanzas were written by Frederick M. Lehman (1868-1953) ... that 3rd stanza might date as far back as the eleventh century ... it's author unknown ... Mrs. Lehman found it on an editorial page ... clipped it out, and included it in her husband's lunch, to encourage him ... he was inspired to pen the first 2 stanzas ... and the music ...

i thought that was a neat little story ...

i read it in George Beverly Shea's new book "How Sweet the Sound" and just paraphrased it here ... the book showcases many old hymns ... and includes little stories to go with them ... a CD was included in the book, with 5 old hymns sung by Bev Shea ...



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i'm off to the city tomorrow ... just wishing my American blog buds a very Happy Thanksgiving!

10 comments:

daisymarie said...

be safe and have fun in the city!

i love that hymn! thanks for a tune to rumble around in my head!

Saija said...

tina ... you are quite welcome! enjoy your turkey day & family & many many blessings! :o) (hugs)

Maggie Ann said...

Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishs *smile*....I like that hymn. The hymn histories are so interesting, aren't they! I can remember our Pastor's wife singing that hymn as a 'special' in church...many years ago! Some things are timeless and just as precious for one generation as for the next. God deserves our heart's praise more than he ever gets, I'm sure. Hope you have fun in the city.

Pilot Mom said...

I love reading about the histories of hymns!

Have fun in the city. And, thanks for the good wishes for our Thanksgiving Day! :)

daisymarie said...

On this day for giving thanks, here in my neck of the woods, I just want you to know that I am thankful for you.

Saija said...

Maggie Ann ... i love to hear stories about why someone wrote something - especially when God has so used it! Blessings to you and yours this thanksgiving day!

Claire ... don't they make for interesting tales? i hope your thanksgiving is filled with many many blessings!

tina ... :o) ... awwwww ... ditto ...

Linda said...

Thank you for the story behind that hymn. Did you know that is one of my favorites of all time? I especially love the MercyMe version. I nearly always cry at the end.

Thankful for you, Saija!

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Hmmm...don't think I've heard that song, at least those words don't sound familiar as well the title doesn't either.

I always like to hear the story about how "It Is Well With My Soul" was written...touching indeed.

Jammie J. said...

Thanks for the lovely email, dearest. I hope you had a great day in the city. (hugs)

Saija said...

linda ... i don't think i've heard MercyMe's version ... i miss not having a Christian bookstore nearby, it is always fun to browse the CD selections and check out the songs, etc. ... hope you had a wonderful day with your sweet little family! (hugs)

shelley ... it is an old hymn ... well if you consider 50+ years old that is! ... i am looking forward to reading some more stories from george bev shea's book to see what else intrigues me ... :)

jeanette ... it was a lovely day in the city ... a bit chilly, but i was bundled up like one of those kids in the cartoons - then pealing layers in the stores!!!! (hugs) backatcha! ;)