Favorite hymns

Bach supplied some excellent tunes to Christian hymns.

In St Matthew Passion, for example.

I clasp the hand of Love divine,
I claim the gracious promise mine,
And add to His my countersign,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

I take Thee, blessed Lord,
I give myself to Thee,
And Thou, according to Thy word,
Dost undertake for me.

I take salvation full and free,
Through Him who gave His life for me,
He undertakes my all to be,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

I take Him as my holiness,
My spirit’s spotless, heavenly dress,
I take the Lord, my righteousness,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

I take the promised Holy Ghost,
I take the power of Pentecost,
To fill me to the uttermost,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

I take Him for this mortal frame,
I take my healing through His Name,
And all His risen life I claim,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

I simply take Him at His word,
I praise Him that my prayer is heard,
And claim my answer from the Lord,
“I take“ - “He undertakes.”

Source: Hymn: I clasp the hand of Love divine

My favorite Hymn:
Written by Rev Augustus Montague Toplady in 1763 and first published in the Gospel Magazine in 1775

It is known that Toplady drew his inspiration from an accident in the Gorge of Burrington Combe in England, when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyric on a playing card.

The fissure that is believed to have sheltered Toplady is no marked as "The Rock of Ages"

Rock Of Ages Hymn


Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.


Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.


Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.


While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

[video=youtube;gM7gt_cSxjw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM7gt_cSxjw[/video]