Yesterday the idea that hymn writers , often “wrote for and to themselves” startled me. Bach always wrote ” to the glory of God” on his music and I believe hymnwriters want the same, but there is no doubt that some hymns in their devotional aspect are very personal and come from a well of sorrow or joy that we might not be able to plumb. But they speak to us nonetheless. They may be focused on a grief that won’t go away, or a fear that hangs on, but they lead to an examination of faith and the ultimate “help in time of trouble”. They lead to the nature of joy and our reliance upon mercy.
I am looking hard at some of these deeply personal hymns and believe that come from a heart that gets the “great exchange”. Luther says, That is the mystery which is rich in divine grace to sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange our sins are no longer ours but Christ’s and the righteousness of Christ not Christ’s but ours. He has emptied Himself of His righteousness that He might clothe us with it, and fill us with it. And He has taken our evils upon Himself that He might deliver us from them… in the same manner as He grieved and suffered in our sins, and was confounded, in the same manner we rejoice and glory in His righteousness.”
So a hymn like I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light by Kathleen Thomerson
I want to walk as a child of the light
I want to follow Jesus
God sent the stars to give light to the world
The star of my life is Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
I want to see the brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear sun of righteousness, shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
I’m looking for the coming of Christ
I want to be with Jesus
When we have run with patience the race
We shall know the joy of Jesus
In Him, there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The Lamb is the light of the city of God
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus
Deeply personal joyful a little bit sad that maybe we don’t walk the way we can, yet we want to and we’re looking.
This intimacy comes from learning the cathegorical hymns the straight Gospel good story of the hero that frees us from our enemies and claims us as his own, forgives and even gives us the good works towill and do. ” A Mighty Fortress ” comes to mind.
