Depth of Mercy

Last week, I mentioned my discovery of Indelible Grace Music and their wealth of re-worked hymns. There is a Presbyterian Church in Alabama, Red Mountain Church, which has done the same. I came across their version of Charles Wesley’s song Depth of Mercy a year or more ago via a YouTube search. I was not familiar with the song since it is not printed in the Baptist Hymnal, but I love the lyrics and its focus on the fallenness of man and the redemption and mercy that God so freely offers.

I had the opportunity to sing this past Sunday at church and chose this song with Red Mountain Music’s tune. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Depth of Mercy
Charles Wesley, 1740

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,
Filled with pangs unspeakable,
I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,
I afresh have crucified,
And profaned His hallowed Name,
Put Him to an open shame.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!
He disarms the wrath of God;
Now my Father’s mercies move,
Justice lingers into love.

There for me the Savior stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,
By a look my soul recall;
Now the stone to flesh convert,
Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,
Let me now my sins lament,
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Red Mountain Music
Depth of Mercy Chord Chart
Audio Clip

Arise, My Soul, Arise

Until this last week, I was completely ignorant of Indelible Grace Music. I do not remember how or who, but I was directed to their NoiseTrade site, downloaded the sampler, and have thoroughly enjoyed their work. What is Indelible Grace Music and what makes it different? Here’s a quote from their website:

Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace.

A love for old songs that have carried the saints through the ages has grown in the depths of my soul over my life, in particular the last 5 years. In addition, a longing to glean from the experience of those who have gone before, lived faithfully and finished well has grown stronger with each year.

This hymn from Charles Wesley is my favorite from the Indelible Grace Music sampler:

Arise, My Soul, Arise
Charles Wesley (lyrics)
Kevin Twit (music)

1. Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice,
in my behalf appears;
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

Chorus: Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

2. He ever lives above,
for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood, to plead;
His blood atoned for every race,
His blood atoned for every race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

3. Five bleeding wounds He bears;
received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers;
they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

4. The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
the presence of His Son;
The Spirit answers to the blood,
The Spirit answers to the blood
And tells me I am born of God.

5. My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

©1996 Kevin Twit Music.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

My Life is in Your Hands

This past Sunday a former pastor and his wife came to celebrate our semi-annual Homecoming celebration with us. Bro. Fulton delivered the sermon and Mrs. Glenda sang a song which was recorded by Kathy Troccoli several years ago called My Life is in Your Hands. Many songs pass through our ears, but not all find places in our hearts. For whatever reason, this is one that has been special to me and it is one that, along with scripture and Psalms, comes to my memory when the days seem hard.

When the storms blow.

When the bills pile up.

When news breaks my heart.

Come what may, I can trust God. My life is in His hands. Though he slay me, yet will I praise Him.

My Life is in Your Handsby Kathy Troccoli

Life can be so good
Life can be so hard
Never knowing what each day
Will bring to where you are
Sometimes I forget
And sometimes I can’t see
That whatever comes my way
You’ll be with me

My life is in your hands
My heart is in your keeping
I’m never without love
Not when my future is with you

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

Nothing is for sure
Nothing is for keeps
All I know is that your love
Will live eternally
So I will find my way, yes
And I will find my peace
Knowing that you’ll meet my every need

My life is in your hands
My heart is in your keeping
I’m never without love
Not when my future is with you

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands

When I’m at my weakest love
You carry me
Then I become my strongest love
In your hands

My life is in your hands
And though I may not see clearly
I will lift my voice and sing
Cause your love does amazing things
Lord, I know, my life is in your hands
I trust you Lord
My life is in your hands