Go Down, Moses

The Readings for August 28 were
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

What a great Sunday! All of the readings, hymns, sermon and anthem fit together so well you couldn't miss the significance of each part. Larry preached from the Old Testament reading about Moses and the Burning Bush. Our anthem was Moses by Ken Medema. Here's an Interesting commentary on this anthem.

The first hymn was The God of Abraham Praise. The words are from the Yigdal by Daniel ben Judah, circa 1400. The lyrics are based on the thirteen creeds of Moses Maimonides. The words were paraphrased in 1775 by Thomas Olivers. The melody is Leoni from Sacred Harmony, 1780. WHen I was in ninth grade my dad did a fifteen minute sermonette on television in Paducah, Kentucky. He asked a quartet from our church choir sing on his program. This is the first hymn we sang for the program. My first time on television. It was very exciting.

Here are all of the verses. We don't sing them all.

The God of Abraham praise,
who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days,
and God of love;
Jehovah, great I AM,
by earth and heaven confessed:
I bow and bless the sacred Name
for ever blessed.

The God of Abraham praise,
at whose supreme command
from earth we rise, and seek the joys
at his right hand;
we all on earth forsake,
its wisdom, fame and power;
and him our only portion make,
our Shield and Tower.

The goodly land we see,
with peace and plenty blessed:
a land of sacred liberty
and endless rest;
there milk and honey flow,
and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life for ever grow,
with mercy crowned.

There dwells the Lord, our King,
the Lord, our Righteousness,
triumphant o'er the world and sin,
the Prince of Peace;
on Zion's sacred height
his kingdom he maintains,
and, glorious with his saints in light,
for ever reigns.

The God who reigns on high,
the great archangels sing,
and "Holy, holy, holy," cry,
"Almighty King!"
Who was and is the same,
and evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Father, great I AM,
we worship thee."

The whole triumphant host
give thanks to God on high;
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"
they ever cry;
hail, Abraham's God and mine;
I join the heavenly lays;
all might and majesty are thine,
and endless praise!

The second hymn was Go Down, Moses

Exodus 8:1"And the LORD spake unto Moses, go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him,thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me."

When Israel was in Egypt’s land, Let My people go;
Oppressed so hard they could not stand, Let My people go;
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

The Lord told Moses what to do, Let My people go;
To lead the children of Israel through, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

The pillar of cloud shall clear the way, Let My people go;
A fire by night, a shade by day, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

As Israel stood by the water-side, Let My people go;
At God’s command it did divide, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

When they had reached the other shore, Let My people go;
They dang the song of triumph over, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

Oh, let us all from bondage flee, Let My people go;
And let us all in Christ be free, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.

The third hymn was Where He Leads Me I Will Follow . The words are by Ernest W. Blandly and the music is by John S. Norris. Both date from 1890. This isn't a hymn that I'm usually thrilled to sing, but this week it just fit perfectly with everything else in the service, so I really enjoyed it.

I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”

Refrain

Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow;
I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.

I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Refrain

I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

Refrain

He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way.

Refrain