[Biblemat] hymn study, "I Will Praise Him"

[Wayne S Walker]

Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.

"I WILL PRAISE HIM"
"I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise Him
among the multitude" (Ps. 109:30)

     INTRO.:  A hymn which expresses praise to the Lord is "I Will Praise
Him."  The text was written and the tune was composed both by Mrs.
Margaret Jenkins Harris, who was born on July 31, 1865, at Rushville, IL.
 A member of the Iowa Holiness Association, she and her husband John
Hasrris, also a song writer, were active in holiness revivals and camp
meetings.  "I Will Praise Him" was copyrighted in 1898 and owned by the
Nazarene Publishing House.  The Harrises served as music directors for
the 1901 General Holiness Convention in Chicago, IL.  In 1910 Margaret
edited the Glorious Gospel in Song for the Christian Witness Publishing
Co. of Chicago.  Another of her hymns, "He Took My Sins Away" of 1903
(sometimes inaccurately given as her birth date) has been fairly popular,
and she also prudced "I've Pitched My Tent in Beulah" of 1908.  Her death
occurred on Jan. 13, 1919, in Miami, FL.  

     "I Will Praise Him" has been used in many denominational and
inter-denominational hymnbooks, such as the All American Church Hymnal
and The American Service Hymnal both published by the John T. Benson
Publishing Company of Nashville, TN; Favorite Hymns of Praise published
by the Tabernacle Publishing Company of Wheaton, IL; the Praise and
Worship Hymnal, the Worship in Song Hymnal, and the Sing to the Lord
Hymnal all both published by the Lillenas Publishing Company of Kansas
City, MO; Hymns of the Spirit (chorus only) published by Pathway Press of
Cleveland, TN; Soul Stirring Songs and Hymns published by the Sword of
the Lord Publishers of Murfreesboro, TN; Inspiring Hymns and Great Hymns
of the Faith both published by Singspiration Music of Grand Rapids, MI;
Living Hymns published by Encore Publications of Montrose, PA; The New
Church Hymnal published by Lexicon Music; Hymns for the Family of God
published by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing; Worship His Majesty
published by the Gaither Music Co. of Alexandria, IN; Songs and Hymns of
Revival published by North Valley Publications of Santa Clara, CA;
Majesty Hymns published by Majesty Music of Greenville, SC; Worship the
Lord Hymnal published by Warner Press of Anderson, IN; The Celebration
Hymnal published by Word Music and Integrity Music; The Rejoice Hymnal
published by Tempo Music Publications of Leawood, KS; The Christian Life
Hymnal published by Hendrickson Publishers of Peabody, MA; and Healing
Waters published by Oral Roberts Healing Campaigns, Tulsa, OK.  Among
hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth
century for us in churches of Christ, this hymn, so far as I can tell,
has not appeared in any of the historic ones, but today it may be found
in the 1994 Songs of Faith and Praise edited by Alton H. Howard.  It is
not to be confused with a hymn of the same title by George Beverly Shea
found in the 1977 Special Sacred Selections edited by Ellis J. Crum.

     The song gives several reasons for praising the Lord.

I. Stanza 1 says that He cleanses our sins
"When I saw the cleansing fountain Open wide for all my sin,
I obeyed the Spirit's wooing, When He said, 'Wilt thou be clean?'"
 A. It was prophesied that a fountain would be opened for cleansing sin:
Zech. 13:1
 B. In order to receive the salvation that is offered by this fountain,
we must obey the Spirit's wooing as revealed in the written word which He
inspired: Heb. 5:8-9
 C. When we do this, we can be cleanse or washed in the blood of Christ:
Rev. 1:5-6

II. Stanza 2 says that He guides us in the strait and narrow way
"Though the way seems strait and narrow, All I claimed was swept away;
My ambitions, plans, and wishes, At my feet in ashes lay."
 A. The way of Christ is strait and narrow: Matt. 7:13-14
 B. However, for those who choose to travel that way, their own claims
are swept away as they count all things but loss for Christ: Phil. 3:4-9
 C. And we can look to Him for continued guidance in taking up the cross
and following Him: Matt. 16:24

III. Stanza 3 says that He sets our hearts aflame
"Then God's fire upon the altar Of my heart was set aflame;
I shall never cease to praise Him.  Glory, glory to His name!"
 A. The altar represents the sacrifices that we must make in order to
follow Christ: Phil. 2:17
 B. Yet, just as the animals were burned with fire on the altar in the
Old Testament, so when we make the spiritual sacrifices required by the
New Testament, our hearts are set aflame as Christ comes to dwell in
them: Eph. 3:17
 C. Therefore, the faithful Christian will never cease to praise the
Lord: Isa. 12:1

IV. Stanza 4 says that He takes us in
"Blessed be the name of Jesus!  I'm so glad He took me in.
He's forgiven my transgressions; He has cleansed my heart from sin."
 A. It is the name of Jesus by which we can be saved: Acts 4:12
 B. When we come to Him on His terms, He has promised to take us in: Jn.
6:37
 C. To those who thus come to Him, He offers forgiveness for their
transgressions: Eph. 1:7

V. Stanza 5 says that He is worthy of our glory
"Glory, glory to the Father!  Glory, glory to the Son!
Glory, glory to the Spirit!  Glory to the Three in One."
 A. The Lord Jehovah is worthy of glory: Ps. 29:2
 B. The Son, who is also the Lamb, is worthy of glory: Rev. 5:12
 C. The Holy Spirit, who revealed the word of the testimony by which we
can overcome through the blood of the Lamb, is worthy of glory: Rev.
12:11

     CONCL.:  The chorus concludes with the giving of praise and glory to
the Lord for His salvation.
"I will praise Him!  I will praise Him!  Praise the Lamb for sinners
slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people, For His blood can wash away each stain."
So far as I can tell, this song has appeared in only one book used among
churches of Christ, and that a fairly recent one.  However, I can recall
when I first saw it in various denominational books years ago being
impressed with its joyful exuberance in extending glory to God. 
Certainly in thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done for me, it
should be my intent that "I Will Praise Him."

Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
9024 Amona Dr.
Affton, MO 63123
home phone: (314) 638-4710
e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

     Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com . 
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
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