Verse: Psalm 148:1
Hymn: Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him
Not only do I love this text of praise, but I also love the tune! This is one of my favorite hymns to teach to children because its poetry speaks so well of God as Creator and all creation giving praise to Him. As we enter the harvest season, what a great hymn of praise to teach to our children (and ourselves!).
I am going to do some special things this month since this month also marks the 500th anniversary of the reformation and the resurgence of congregational singing - so be on the lookout for some great resources and hymns to sing with your children.
Fun Facts
Not only do I love this text of praise, but I also love the tune! This is one of my favorite hymns to teach to children because its poetry speaks so well of God as Creator and all creation giving praise to Him. As we enter the harvest season, what a great hymn of praise to teach to our children (and ourselves!).
I am going to do some special things this month since this month also marks the 500th anniversary of the reformation and the resurgence of congregational singing - so be on the lookout for some great resources and hymns to sing with your children.
Fun Facts
Text: Anonymous (stanza 1 and 2), Edward Osler, Stanza 3 (1798-1863)
- Based on Psalm 148
- Published in 1796 in "The Foundling Hospital Collection."
- Dr. Edward Osler added the third verse after this. He served at a hospital in London
- He wrote several books, poems, and hymns
Tune: Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809), AUSTRIAN HYMN
An additional hymn for the week is: It is Well with my Soul. Starting with the chorus is a great way to start teaching this to your children. This is one of the most well-known and beloved hymns and hymn-stories. This is a hymn of testimony and a good verse to pair with it would be Philippians 4:7. Horatio G. Stafford (1828-1888) wrote this text in response to much tragedy. He and his wife lost much in the Chicago fire of 1871. Two years later, his four daughters were killed in a shipwreck on their way to England. When Horatio traveled to England to meet his wife (who was saved alone), the captain pointed out the spot where his daughters' ship went down. Horatio wrote this famous poem in response to seeing that spot. The Spaffords later moved to Israel and cared for many children. There remains in Jerusalem the "Stafford Children's Center" which exists to serve children of all nationalities. Horatio Spafford's hymn is a testimony of God's grace extended to him during such trials. This is a perfect opportunity to talk with your children about difficult times and continuing to trust and praise God through them. It is so important that we introduce hope to our children early, because trials will come. We want to teach them how to respond and praise God through them. A good way, would be to practice doing this in the small things in life. When disappointing things happen for you or your children, you could talk with them about God always keeping His promises. One of our favorite promises to talk about in our household is one yet to be fulfilled - Jesus coming back and us being with God forever. It is Well speaks of this in the last stanza. Fill your children's hearts with songs of heaven!!!!
Philip Bliss (1838-1876) wrote the tune to It is Well and introduced it to over 1,000 pastors at a meeting. The tune's name is VILLE DU HAVRE after the ship carrying Spafford's four daughters. Since this is a hymn of testimony, it is for Christians to sing. We have assurance in Christ. We have hope. Christ has taken our sin and guilt! Our hymnal suggests that when asked the question "How are you?" we should respond "It is well with my soul." Those are fitting words to be on the tongue of a believer.
- You can find multiple tunes that are sung to this hymn (such as Hyfrydol)
- This particular tune reflects the beauty and joyous nature of this text so wonderfully
- Haydn adapted the tune from a Croatian folk melody
- He wrote over 100 symphonies, 22 operas, and multiple oratorios, masses, and chamber music works.
- He is known as father of the symphony and the string quartet.
"When I think of the Divine Being, my heart is so full of joy that the notes fly off as from a spindle."
- Franz Joseph Haydn-
An additional hymn for the week is: It is Well with my Soul. Starting with the chorus is a great way to start teaching this to your children. This is one of the most well-known and beloved hymns and hymn-stories. This is a hymn of testimony and a good verse to pair with it would be Philippians 4:7. Horatio G. Stafford (1828-1888) wrote this text in response to much tragedy. He and his wife lost much in the Chicago fire of 1871. Two years later, his four daughters were killed in a shipwreck on their way to England. When Horatio traveled to England to meet his wife (who was saved alone), the captain pointed out the spot where his daughters' ship went down. Horatio wrote this famous poem in response to seeing that spot. The Spaffords later moved to Israel and cared for many children. There remains in Jerusalem the "Stafford Children's Center" which exists to serve children of all nationalities. Horatio Spafford's hymn is a testimony of God's grace extended to him during such trials. This is a perfect opportunity to talk with your children about difficult times and continuing to trust and praise God through them. It is so important that we introduce hope to our children early, because trials will come. We want to teach them how to respond and praise God through them. A good way, would be to practice doing this in the small things in life. When disappointing things happen for you or your children, you could talk with them about God always keeping His promises. One of our favorite promises to talk about in our household is one yet to be fulfilled - Jesus coming back and us being with God forever. It is Well speaks of this in the last stanza. Fill your children's hearts with songs of heaven!!!!
Philip Bliss (1838-1876) wrote the tune to It is Well and introduced it to over 1,000 pastors at a meeting. The tune's name is VILLE DU HAVRE after the ship carrying Spafford's four daughters. Since this is a hymn of testimony, it is for Christians to sing. We have assurance in Christ. We have hope. Christ has taken our sin and guilt! Our hymnal suggests that when asked the question "How are you?" we should respond "It is well with my soul." Those are fitting words to be on the tongue of a believer.
Remember to order you copy of the hymnal we are singing through if you still need a hymnal!
Things to think about As You Sing ...
- you join the chorus of all creation bringing praise to God. Have your children think about things on earth or in the universe that declare the praise of God.
- Stanza 1 is the story of creation, stanza 2 recounts the story of redemption. Because of this redemption, we respond in praise. Stanza 3 summarizes the call to worship for the young and old. It is not enough that creation praise God - we must also praise Him!
- The last line is from the Lord's prayer - you could read that passage to your children.
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