November 15, 2005

Have faith in God –
Of all most precious worth;
Have faith in God –
There find no lack – no dearth;
Have faith in God –
And days of heaven on earth.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
"Doxology"

Thomas Ken, 1637-1711

    I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12.

    The author of this text was a bold, outspoken 17th Century Anglican bishop named Thomas Ken. Ken's illustrious career in the ministry was stormy and colorful. He served for a time as the English chaplain at the royal court in the Hague, Holland. He was so outspoken, however, in denouncing the corrupt lives of those in authority at the Dutch capital that he was compelled to leave after a short stay.
    Upon his return to England, Ken was appointed by King Charles II to be one of his chaplains. Ken continued to reveal the same spirit of boldness in rebuking the moral sins of his dissolute English monarch. Despite this, Charles always admired his courageous chaplain, calling him "the good little man". The king rewarded Thomas Ken by appointing him to the bishopric of the Bath and Wales area. The historian Macaulay gave this tribute to Bishop Ken: "He came as near to the ideal of Christian perfection as human weakness permits."
    These lyrics, sung as the Doxology in many churches, are actually the last verse of a longer hymn, Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!

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