December 4, 2005

Have faith in God –
And know the One who frees us;
Have faith in God –
For night and day He sees us;
Have faith in God –
Behold the face of Jesus.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Blessed be the Name

W. H. Clark, 19th Century
Refrain by Ralph Erskine Hudson, 1843-1901

    I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1.
    I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. Psalm 138:2.

    The stanzas of Blessed Be the Name first appeared in 1891 in Hymns of the Christian Life. The melody was likely one of the early folk hymn tunes used in the 19th Century campmeetings.

All praise to Him Who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

His Name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.

Redeemer, Savior, Friend of man
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan,
For Thou hast died for all.

His Name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.

Chorus:
Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!
Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission