The English-speaking Church in our era is blessed with an abundance of adoration-praise music, but lacking are songs intentionally written for corporate worship and songs that reflect theological richness specifically to carry along through the varying seasons of life, particularly through trying times. When gathered together, singing should reflect the corporate element of gathering. This means certain worship music, while worthwhile in private contexts, is not always appropriate for a church worship service context. I seek to contribute to filling this gap by writing hymns that fit into one of the liturgical elements of a traditional worship service, as well as songs molded to specific seasons in the liturgical calendar. Some of the influential hymn writers I greatly admire include: Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, Stuart Townend, Keith and Kristyn Getty, and Getty-affiliated writers/singers such as Matt Boswell and Matt Papa.
Though I have some original melodies, I mostly write lyrics to existing tunes in the public domain. One reason I do this is to make it easier to teach them to local congregations. A second reason is to inspire congregations to also incorporate the original hymns into their annual repertoire to maintain melodic familiarity. You are welcome to use any of my hymns in your local church worship services if you'd like. Please just use the basic copyright information attached to each song. Please send me an email beforehand if you would like to record any. Chord sheets are also available below for select songs.
Though I have some original melodies, I mostly write lyrics to existing tunes in the public domain. One reason I do this is to make it easier to teach them to local congregations. A second reason is to inspire congregations to also incorporate the original hymns into their annual repertoire to maintain melodic familiarity. You are welcome to use any of my hymns in your local church worship services if you'd like. Please just use the basic copyright information attached to each song. Please send me an email beforehand if you would like to record any. Chord sheets are also available below for select songs.
*songs are listed below in alphabetical order.
"By Mercy We Were Exiled"
Tune: PASSION CHORALE (the same as "O Sacred Head Now Wounded")
One of the somber themes of Advent is the discomfort of waiting. This song of lament seeks to recognize the somber emotions of Advent, while at the same time recognize God's mercy in the times of waiting. This song intentionally conflates our contemporary story with the story of ancient Israel.
One of the somber themes of Advent is the discomfort of waiting. This song of lament seeks to recognize the somber emotions of Advent, while at the same time recognize God's mercy in the times of waiting. This song intentionally conflates our contemporary story with the story of ancient Israel.
| by_mercy_we_were_exiled_lyrics.pdf |
| by_mercy_we_were_exiled_chords.pdf |
"Come, My Friends"
Tune: AUSTRIA (the same as "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken")
After being paired with lyrics by John Newson, this became one of the most popular hymn melodies for about 150 years until the Nazi regime wrote their anthem to it. Though unrelated to Nazism, most hymnals following WWII removed all hymns with this melody from their hymnals. However, in an attempt to redeem and recapture this glorious melody, many have sought since the reunification of Germany in 1990 to write new hymns to this melody. I join them in an attempt to redeem this melody with six wordy stanzas intended to walk through and teach the content of the Gospel.
After being paired with lyrics by John Newson, this became one of the most popular hymn melodies for about 150 years until the Nazi regime wrote their anthem to it. Though unrelated to Nazism, most hymnals following WWII removed all hymns with this melody from their hymnals. However, in an attempt to redeem and recapture this glorious melody, many have sought since the reunification of Germany in 1990 to write new hymns to this melody. I join them in an attempt to redeem this melody with six wordy stanzas intended to walk through and teach the content of the Gospel.
| come_my_friends_lyrics.pdf |
"Come Thou Long Expected (Messiah)"
TUNE: HYFRYDOL (the same as "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling")
I love the HYFRYDOL tune. There are so many wonderful hymns written to this melody. Charles Wesley wrote verses 1 and 4 to this hymn nearly 300 years ago. It is a widely beloved song at Christmas. As I have reflected on the Gospel, I have come to a deeper appreciation of the Old Testament messianic themes and prophecies fulfilled by Christ. Later in his life he stands before Pontius Pilate and sums up his willingness to submit to suffering and death by saying he was born to do this. The birth of Jesus is directly connected to his mission as the Messiah. The two additional verses to this song seek to draw this out and connect Jesus's birth to his messianic mission. Symmetrically, verses 2-4 all begin with the main theme on which the preceding verse concluded.
I love the HYFRYDOL tune. There are so many wonderful hymns written to this melody. Charles Wesley wrote verses 1 and 4 to this hymn nearly 300 years ago. It is a widely beloved song at Christmas. As I have reflected on the Gospel, I have come to a deeper appreciation of the Old Testament messianic themes and prophecies fulfilled by Christ. Later in his life he stands before Pontius Pilate and sums up his willingness to submit to suffering and death by saying he was born to do this. The birth of Jesus is directly connected to his mission as the Messiah. The two additional verses to this song seek to draw this out and connect Jesus's birth to his messianic mission. Symmetrically, verses 2-4 all begin with the main theme on which the preceding verse concluded.
| come_thou_long_expected_messiah_lyrics.pdf |
| come_thou_long_expected_messiah_chords.pdf |
"For Undeserving Man, He Was Slain (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
TUNE: SOUTHERN HARMONY (the same as "What Wondrous Love Is This?")
In the second half of Isaiah, the prophet writes several "Servant Songs." The fourth servant song found in Isaiah 53 is the most famous. This fourth servant song actually begins with the final paragraph in Isaiah 52. In the fourth servant song are five three-verse stanzas. These stanzas only somewhat work in a linear fashion. But despite all the suffering described throughout most of Isaiah 53, the opening stanza at the end of Isaiah 52 assures us that the Servant will be exalted after his humiliation. This song is a reflection on the fourth servant song. Each of the five verses corresponds to each of the five stanzas in Isaiah's song. Each of my verses seeks to draw out the major themes from the fourth servant song. Paired with the beautifully somber SOUTHERN HARMONY melody, this song would be thematically appropriate to sing on Good Friday.
In the second half of Isaiah, the prophet writes several "Servant Songs." The fourth servant song found in Isaiah 53 is the most famous. This fourth servant song actually begins with the final paragraph in Isaiah 52. In the fourth servant song are five three-verse stanzas. These stanzas only somewhat work in a linear fashion. But despite all the suffering described throughout most of Isaiah 53, the opening stanza at the end of Isaiah 52 assures us that the Servant will be exalted after his humiliation. This song is a reflection on the fourth servant song. Each of the five verses corresponds to each of the five stanzas in Isaiah's song. Each of my verses seeks to draw out the major themes from the fourth servant song. Paired with the beautifully somber SOUTHERN HARMONY melody, this song would be thematically appropriate to sing on Good Friday.
| for_undeserving_man_he_was_slain_lyrics.pdf |
| for_undeserving_man_he_was_slain_chords.pdf |
"Gentle and Lowly"
Tune: BUNESSAN (the same as "Morning Has Broken")
I wrote these lyrics in response to reading Dane Ortlund's book "Gentle and Lowly." I loved this book and how it captured the heart of our savior. I also love this hymn melody and thought the drive-by approach to all these various glimpses into Jesus's heart would fit well with the peaceful, yet rising structure of the tune.
I wrote these lyrics in response to reading Dane Ortlund's book "Gentle and Lowly." I loved this book and how it captured the heart of our savior. I also love this hymn melody and thought the drive-by approach to all these various glimpses into Jesus's heart would fit well with the peaceful, yet rising structure of the tune.
| gentle_and_lowly_lyrics.pdf |
"Go Tell is On the Mountain (Easter)"
Tune: GO TELL IT
This is an Easter rendition of the famous Christmas song. While one purpose of the song is to sing praise for the resurrection of Jesus, the main thrust of this song is felt in the final stanza, a sending/commissioning song for resurrection season reflecting Isa. 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news..."
This is an Easter rendition of the famous Christmas song. While one purpose of the song is to sing praise for the resurrection of Jesus, the main thrust of this song is felt in the final stanza, a sending/commissioning song for resurrection season reflecting Isa. 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news..."
| go_tell_it_on_the_mountain_easter_lyrics.pdf |
"Hail the Messiah"
TUNE: SCOTLAND THE BRAVE
This is a melody almost everyone has heard, the famous "bagpipe song" from Scotland. By chance, I stumbled upon a video rebuking Mormons for their idolizing worship of Joseph Smith in the unofficial LDS anthem, "Praise to the Man." The lyrics were repulsive, but the melody was majestic. I thought surely there must be other Christian hymns written to this melody, but as I found out there was not. This is not an LDS melody, but a classic melody from Scotland that some Mormons paired the lyrics to after the death of Joseph Smith. Just as I did with my song "Come, My Friends," I thought this melody was worth redeeming from the hands of LDS heretics. The lyrics of my song attempt to convey the majesty of Christ as the worthy redeemer whose blood forgave our sins and who bursts the ramparts of Satan's power.
This is a melody almost everyone has heard, the famous "bagpipe song" from Scotland. By chance, I stumbled upon a video rebuking Mormons for their idolizing worship of Joseph Smith in the unofficial LDS anthem, "Praise to the Man." The lyrics were repulsive, but the melody was majestic. I thought surely there must be other Christian hymns written to this melody, but as I found out there was not. This is not an LDS melody, but a classic melody from Scotland that some Mormons paired the lyrics to after the death of Joseph Smith. Just as I did with my song "Come, My Friends," I thought this melody was worth redeeming from the hands of LDS heretics. The lyrics of my song attempt to convey the majesty of Christ as the worthy redeemer whose blood forgave our sins and who bursts the ramparts of Satan's power.
| hail_the_messiah_lyrics.pdf |
"Holy, Holy, Holy (Christ's Passion)"
Tune: NICAEA
There is no time in the Christian calendar more holy than Holy Week. This rendition of the famous hymn attempts to capture the absolute uniqueness in the work accomplished by Jesus through his suffering, his death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. May we marvel at our Messiah's most holy work.
There is no time in the Christian calendar more holy than Holy Week. This rendition of the famous hymn attempts to capture the absolute uniqueness in the work accomplished by Jesus through his suffering, his death on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection. May we marvel at our Messiah's most holy work.
| holy_holy_holy_christs_passion_lyrics.pdf |
"Hymn of the Reformation"
Tune: ST LEONARDS (the same as "May the Mind of Christ Our Savior")
This hymn sings through the five Solas and various other themes of the protestant reformation. The four key changes are designed to make this song as celebratory as possible, culminating in praise to our Triune God.
This hymn sings through the five Solas and various other themes of the protestant reformation. The four key changes are designed to make this song as celebratory as possible, culminating in praise to our Triune God.
| hymn_of_the_reformation_lyrics.pdf |
"Jesus Came"
Tune: CWM RHONDDA (the same as "Guide Me O, Thou Great Redeemer")
While the opening stanza may lead some to limit singing this song to Christmastime, the song is designed to be sung all year. This hymn is a declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, specifically as he who comes in the name of the Lord. But what does Jesus "come" to do? This song sings of four reasons why Jesus came: to save, to teach, to cleanse, and to rule. The boisterous melody makes this an anthem of Christ's purpose/mission.
While the opening stanza may lead some to limit singing this song to Christmastime, the song is designed to be sung all year. This hymn is a declaration of Jesus as the Messiah, specifically as he who comes in the name of the Lord. But what does Jesus "come" to do? This song sings of four reasons why Jesus came: to save, to teach, to cleanse, and to rule. The boisterous melody makes this an anthem of Christ's purpose/mission.
| jesus_came_lyrics.pdf |
| jesus_came_chords.pdf |
"The King Shall Come"
TUNE: REX VENIET (original)
I stumbled on the lyrics to John Brownlie's unfamiliar hymn of the same name and read it with a melody in my head. Brownlie's words drew the melody of out me rather quickly. I made some adaptations to Brownlie's lyrics, but hope my melody can give new life to these wonderful words of waiting for Christ's return.
I stumbled on the lyrics to John Brownlie's unfamiliar hymn of the same name and read it with a melody in my head. Brownlie's words drew the melody of out me rather quickly. I made some adaptations to Brownlie's lyrics, but hope my melody can give new life to these wonderful words of waiting for Christ's return.
| the_king_shall_come_lyrics.pdf |
"The Lord is Our Righteousness (Jer. 23:1-7)"
Tune: TWIN SISTERS (original)
This song is to an original melody. This is a reflection on Jer. 23:1-7. Part of the passage says that God's saving Israel from exile in Babylon will eclipse God's saving Israel from Egypt, yet that isn't reflected in worship music from my perspective. The chorus tries to move in this direction by highlighting the three big salvation stories in Scripture, and how the resurrection of Christ surpasses the Exodus and Israel's Rescue from Babylon. Christ's resurrection and exaltation are emphasized in this song, making this song most fitting between Easter and Pentecost.
This song is to an original melody. This is a reflection on Jer. 23:1-7. Part of the passage says that God's saving Israel from exile in Babylon will eclipse God's saving Israel from Egypt, yet that isn't reflected in worship music from my perspective. The chorus tries to move in this direction by highlighting the three big salvation stories in Scripture, and how the resurrection of Christ surpasses the Exodus and Israel's Rescue from Babylon. Christ's resurrection and exaltation are emphasized in this song, making this song most fitting between Easter and Pentecost.
| the_lord_is_our_righteousness_lyrics.pdf |
"Manifest, O Christ, Today"
Tune: SALZBURG (the same as "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise")
In response to thinking about the feast of and season after Epiphany, I decided to revise the Epiphany song "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise," and add two additional verses. The original hymn, through the repeated use of the word "manifest" sought to teach the meaning of the word epiphany. I have retained that original vision by beginning and ending each stanza with the word manifest. Similar to the original, I have told the story of the life of Christ through the many passages in which he revealed his glory. The two additional verses reflect on how his glory was revealed on the cross and after the resurrection. One of the ideas behind adding these two additional verses is that a local church could sing the song each week during epiphany, singing an additional stanza as the preacher covers each glory-story, and then return to the song during the Easter season to celebrate the glory of Christ. About 30% of the original lyrics are retained as I attempted to honor the vision of the original hymn.
In response to thinking about the feast of and season after Epiphany, I decided to revise the Epiphany song "Songs of Thankfulness and Praise," and add two additional verses. The original hymn, through the repeated use of the word "manifest" sought to teach the meaning of the word epiphany. I have retained that original vision by beginning and ending each stanza with the word manifest. Similar to the original, I have told the story of the life of Christ through the many passages in which he revealed his glory. The two additional verses reflect on how his glory was revealed on the cross and after the resurrection. One of the ideas behind adding these two additional verses is that a local church could sing the song each week during epiphany, singing an additional stanza as the preacher covers each glory-story, and then return to the song during the Easter season to celebrate the glory of Christ. About 30% of the original lyrics are retained as I attempted to honor the vision of the original hymn.
| manifest_o_christ_today_lyrics.pdf |
"Maranatha! (Prophet, Priest, and King)"
Tune: REGENT SQUARE (the same as "Angels from the Realms of Glory")
This song is one that both looks back at Christ's work but also looks ahead of Christ's return. This is a celebratory song designed for the opening of the worship service. Through typological connections to Moses, Aaron, and David, Christ is presented as the Shepherd of Israel par excellence.
This song is one that both looks back at Christ's work but also looks ahead of Christ's return. This is a celebratory song designed for the opening of the worship service. Through typological connections to Moses, Aaron, and David, Christ is presented as the Shepherd of Israel par excellence.
| maranatha_prophet_priest_king_lyrics.pdf |
"My God Cares for Me (1 Pet. 5:7)"
Tune: AURELIA [verses only; chorus/bridge original] (the same as "The Church's One Foundation")
This is a prayer that came in the aftermath of the hardest week of my adult life, in which I was overwhelmed with the weight and depth of my past sinfulness. Though the chorus centers on 1 Pet. 5:7, each verse climaxes with a promise in Scripture that I found most comforting during that most terrible week. These promises come from Matt. 5:34, Ps. 34:18, and Isa. 41:10 respectively.
This is a prayer that came in the aftermath of the hardest week of my adult life, in which I was overwhelmed with the weight and depth of my past sinfulness. Though the chorus centers on 1 Pet. 5:7, each verse climaxes with a promise in Scripture that I found most comforting during that most terrible week. These promises come from Matt. 5:34, Ps. 34:18, and Isa. 41:10 respectively.
| my_god_cares_for_me_lyrics.pdf |
"On Transfiguration Day"
Tune: W ZLOBIE LEZY
I wrote these lyrics in response to reading Patrick Schreiner's book "The Transfiguration of Christ." I loved this book and how it so clearly explained so many elements to the mysterious narrative from the life of Jesus. This song is best suited for the season after Epiphany and Transfiguration Day during ordinary time.
I wrote these lyrics in response to reading Patrick Schreiner's book "The Transfiguration of Christ." I loved this book and how it so clearly explained so many elements to the mysterious narrative from the life of Jesus. This song is best suited for the season after Epiphany and Transfiguration Day during ordinary time.
| on_transfiguration_day_lyrics.pdf |
"Scandalous Mercy"
Tune: SUTTER (original)
This song is to an original melody. I wrote these lyrics in response to a wonderful sermon I heard. The song (reflecting a key point from the sermon) attempts to not just recognize ourselves as undeserving of mercy but also that if we have received mercy we must extend mercy to others, especially to those who don't deserve it because--after all--neither did we. This song was started and finished within several hours of the sermon that inspired it.
This song is to an original melody. I wrote these lyrics in response to a wonderful sermon I heard. The song (reflecting a key point from the sermon) attempts to not just recognize ourselves as undeserving of mercy but also that if we have received mercy we must extend mercy to others, especially to those who don't deserve it because--after all--neither did we. This song was started and finished within several hours of the sermon that inspired it.
| scandalous_mercy_lyrics.pdf |
"Twas Wondrous Love"
Tune: MAXWELL (original)
The lyrics to Martha Stockton's 1871 hymn "Wondrous Love" have been moderately adapted and placed to this new original melody. I hope by placing this relatively unknown hymn with a more singable melody that this hymn may receive new life and appreciation.
The lyrics to Martha Stockton's 1871 hymn "Wondrous Love" have been moderately adapted and placed to this new original melody. I hope by placing this relatively unknown hymn with a more singable melody that this hymn may receive new life and appreciation.
| twas_wondrous_love_lyrics.pdf |
"Were You There (Incarnation)"
Tune: WERE YOU THERE
This is a Christmas rendition of the famous Passion-Easter spiritual. The purpose was to take a step back from the sentimentalizing of the Christmas story to capture some of the wonder and mystery of the history events leading up to and including the birth of Christ. Unlike the original spiritual, this rendition does not repeat lines in each refrain, but seeks to touch the various stories surrounding Jesus's birth in a more traditional manner.
This is a Christmas rendition of the famous Passion-Easter spiritual. The purpose was to take a step back from the sentimentalizing of the Christmas story to capture some of the wonder and mystery of the history events leading up to and including the birth of Christ. Unlike the original spiritual, this rendition does not repeat lines in each refrain, but seeks to touch the various stories surrounding Jesus's birth in a more traditional manner.
| were_you_there_incarnation_lyrics.pdf |
| were_you_there_incarnation_chords.pdf |
"When the Lord Says No"
Tune: SLANE (the same as "Be Thou My Vision")
This is a prayer of submission for when God's will does not align with my will. This song came in personal response to a receiving and processing a very disappointing "No" from God. In the time since writing this I have returned to this as a prayer of submission for when I don't get my way.
This is a prayer of submission for when God's will does not align with my will. This song came in personal response to a receiving and processing a very disappointing "No" from God. In the time since writing this I have returned to this as a prayer of submission for when I don't get my way.
| when_the_lord_says_no_lyrics.pdf |
"Wondered, They Must (Matt. 2:1-12)"
Tune: SALUT D'AMOUR
This is a poetic reflection on Matt. 2:1-12. The song has three movements: the first as the wise men traveled to Bethlehem, the second when they arrive in Bethlehem, and the third when they depart from Bethlehem. Each stanza centers around a question derived from different prominent messianic passages from the Old Testament. Yet despite not knowing the answer to these questions, the wise men's apparent faith is highlighted by the final line of each stanza. The purpose of the song is to capture some of the gravity behind Jesus's incarnation as the fulfilment of Scripture. The tune is not a familiar hymn melody; it is the most famous piece of classical music by Edward Elgar, originally written for piano and violin.
This is a poetic reflection on Matt. 2:1-12. The song has three movements: the first as the wise men traveled to Bethlehem, the second when they arrive in Bethlehem, and the third when they depart from Bethlehem. Each stanza centers around a question derived from different prominent messianic passages from the Old Testament. Yet despite not knowing the answer to these questions, the wise men's apparent faith is highlighted by the final line of each stanza. The purpose of the song is to capture some of the gravity behind Jesus's incarnation as the fulfilment of Scripture. The tune is not a familiar hymn melody; it is the most famous piece of classical music by Edward Elgar, originally written for piano and violin.
| wondered_they_must_lyrics.pdf |
"Wondrous Union (Wedding Hymn)"
Tune: RESTORATION (the same as "Come, Ye Sinners Poor and Needy")
I wrote this in advance of the wedding of two friends. The song attempts to tell the story of the wedding ceremony and incorporates key themes from Eph. 5. Unlike typical wedding songs, this tune gives a mysterious sound to the lyrics to help convey the importance/weight of marriage as a covenant between man and wife, between the couple and God, and the mystery Paul speaks of in Eph. 5 about how marriage illustrates God and the Gospel to others.
I wrote this in advance of the wedding of two friends. The song attempts to tell the story of the wedding ceremony and incorporates key themes from Eph. 5. Unlike typical wedding songs, this tune gives a mysterious sound to the lyrics to help convey the importance/weight of marriage as a covenant between man and wife, between the couple and God, and the mystery Paul speaks of in Eph. 5 about how marriage illustrates God and the Gospel to others.
| wondrous_union_lyrics.pdf |
