Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme

Begin, My Tongue, Some Heavenly Theme

Begin, my tongue, some heav’nly theme

And speak some boundless thing:

The mighty works or mightier name

Of our eternal King.

Tell of His wondrous faithfulness

And sound His pow’r abroad;

Sing the sweet promise of His grace,

The love and truth of God.

His very word of grace is strong

As that which built the skies;

The voice that rolls the stars along

Speaks all the promises.

O might I hear Thy heav’nly tongue

But whisper, “Thou art mine!”

Those gentle words shall raise my song

To notes almost divine.

ISAAC WATTS (1674–1748)

IN HIS ORIGINAL HYMNAL, Isaac Watts put this hymn under the heading, “The Faithfulness of God.” At that point there were six stanzas, one of which was: “Proclaim ‘Salvation from the Lord for wretched dying men!’ His hand has writ the sacred Word with an immortal pen.”

A Yorkshire preacher, speaking of the sure promises of God, told of seeing a young lad rubbing at the engraved letters on a brass plate, trying to rub them out. The harder he rubbed, the brighter the letters shone. “Ah,” said the preacher, “that is what Satan is trying to do. But the harder he rubs, the more it shines, because God’s hand has writ the sacred Word with an immortal pen.”

Your faith in God’s promises may be under attack, but you can rest in the assurance that God’s Word stands firm. The harshest opposition only serves to enhance the brilliance of His care for you.

* * *

Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me.

Psalm 71:22-23

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