This is part of a little series of posts that I’m creating, which take a brief glance at modern worship songs. I’m in my sixties, and it’s very easy for me to criticize all things new. In fact, I was prone to do that 30 years ago. But now that I’m getting old, I want to avoid becoming a grumpy old man. So, I try to look at the cup being half full rather than being half empty 😀.
The phrase “I speak Jesus” sounds a little strange. Is it using languages as an analogy (like “I speak Russian”), or does it mean “I speak the name of Jesus”. Well, to a devout Christian, saying the name of Jesus, whether silently thinking of the name, or saying it aloud, comes naturally.
You can view the lyrics on the video on the right or here. Throughout the New Testament, prayers are generally directed to God the Father, in Jesus name’, but worship is directed to both the Father and the Son. And the Holy Spirit, who is also God, inspires and encourages us to worship. Love is at the very heart of God’s character, which is why it shouldn’t surprise us that God is plural yet one. And he embraces us and calls us into his family. Some skeptics wonder why a “god” would want to be worshiped. They might think of how pompous a human would be if he wanted people to worship him. But it’s best to think of worship as expressing our love for our Creator, and why shouldn’t we also feel a sense of awe, given who He is?
Here’s my chance to get an old hymn in – How Great Thou Art is a good example of how someone might come to worship God by reflecting on who He is and what He has done. It was written by a Swedish person. The English version was crafted by Stuart K. Hine, a British missionary who heard the Russian version while in Ukraine.
We’ll see much more celebration and worship of Jesus in heaven, but here on earth, Jesus is exalted in the hearts and minds of all those who have come to believe in him. In the book of Acts, we see miracles done in the name of Jesus.
Acts 3:6 – Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate
“Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”
Some Christians believe that miracles are still done in Jesus name. Others believe that God rarely intervenes is this way, but I would think that all could agree with the following lines from the hymn:
Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
Being a lover of old hymns, I can’t help thinking about older hymns about Jesus. Here are two examples – they’re not really that old:
And here are 12 more hymns about Jesus:
- All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name – Edward Perronet
- Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee – Bernard of Clairvaux
- Jesus, Lover of My Soul – Charles Wesley
- Take the Name of Jesus with You – Lydia Baxter
- There’s Something About That Name – Bill and Gloria Gaither
- Jesus, Name Above All Names – Naida Hearn
- At the Name of Jesus – Caroline M. Noel
- Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know – Lela B. Long
- There is a Name I Love to Hear – Frederick Whitfield
- His Name Is Wonderful – Audrey Mieir
- How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds – John Newton
- Your Name – Paul Baloche
Hibernia Gospel 