Songs

    A Song is an expression of a poet's personal emotions. Lyrics in a song contain verses. Verses are lines that make up a song, and a chorus is a repeating verse called a refrain. All together it is a poem to be sung. Bible verses tying to the subject may be used with reference to location.

    For a touch of nostalgia I list a few hymns written by selected authors, who have given us cherished and timeless pieces. Note that Martin Luther’s life dates back nearly six hundred years. Talk about a song with longevity! Many other worthy hymns could have been added if space permitted.

    Fanny Crosby, the queen of song writers, wrote over 9,000 hymns. She knew that the regimen of songwriting requires consistent rhythm. Her hymn, “I Am Thine, O Lord” is written in trochaic triplets with a rhyme scheme of abc - dec, in trimeter stanzas. (Pardon the technical terms.)

    Bill Gaither, a prolific hymn writer, is currently blessing millions with his Home Coming TV concerts as of this writing. His song, “The King Is Coming” was published over thirty-seven years ago. In it he used trochaic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of ab - cb, in quatrain stanzas.

    Of additional interest is Charles Wesley, one of the greatest hymn writers. He wrote hundreds of hymns and poems. John Newton’s famous“Amazing Grace,” follows a spellbinding story. And then, there is Joseph Mohr’s immortal “Silent Night.” It’s hard to find a stopping place in discussing these notables.

    Song Writing Ministries

Today’s poets may break into the songwriting ministry. Here is a song that I first wrote as a poem based on scriptures from Psalms, Isaiah and 1 Peter. Originally written in 1987, I later made it into a song and selected parts to serve as a chorus. Two acquaintances set it to music, Ann Stanley and the late Geral Hayhurst.

Hollow of His Hand
By James E. Tate ©
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.
Psalms 147:3,4
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8

1
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand?
And meted out the heavens in one great and sweeping span?
Who can comprehend the measure of the dust of the earth?
And for His holy pleasure weigh the mountains for their girth?

Chorus (Refrain)
Oh, the grass will all wither and flowers will all fade,
God’s Word shall stand forever, His foundations have been laid.
Let us praise His name forever, as we firmly take a stand,
For we know that we are sheltered in the hollow of His hand.

2
To whom can we compare Him, whom the storms of life can tame?
Who counts the stars of heaven, and He calls them all by name?
Let us praise His name forever, as we live in one accord.
There’s no other who is worthy, save our Jesus Christ the Lord.

(Chorus)

3
We exalt Him in His glory in this day that God has made.
His Son will shine forever, and His kindness will not fade.
Let us be His fruitful servants, knowing He the fruitful prunes,
For He heals the brokenhearted, and He binds up all their wounds!

(Chorus)

    If you have a God calling for songwriting, do it for His glory. Lyrics linked to music are long remembered. Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. 1 Chronicles 16:23 KJV

In His service. 
James