September 22, 2005
Have
faith in God –
To the world proclaimed;
Have faith in God –
His Word now sustained;
Have faith in God –
Above all that is named.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.
Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned
Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795
My lover is radiant and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven. His eyes are like doves by the water streams, washed in milk, mounted like jewels. His cheeks are like beds of spice yielding perfume. His lips are like lilies dripping with myrrh. His arms are rods of gold set with chrysolite. His body is like polished ivory decorated with sapphires. His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as its cedars. His mouth is sweetness itself; he is altogether lovely. This is my lover, this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Song of Solomon 5:10-16. The
dominant theme of the beautifully expressed text in this hymn, "Majestic
Sweetness Sits Enthroned," is the adoration of Jesus Christ. It is based on
the descriptive passage found in the Song of Solomon 5:10-16. Here the awaiting
maiden, anticipated the return of her true love, describes him with such terms
as "Chief among ten thousand," "head of pure gold,"
"body like polished ivory," "altogether lovely...."
The Bible often refers to believers as the bride of Christ.
We too are awaiting the return of our true love, the One Who is "fairer
that the fairest".
This hymn text originally had nine stanzas and was titled
"The Chief Among Ten Thousand" or "The Excellencies of
Christ". It first appeared in Rippon's famous Baptist collection, A
Selection of Hymns from the Best of Authors, published in 1787.
The author, Samuel Stennett, was a well-known Baptist pastor
in London, England, and was regarded as one of the outstanding preachers of his
day. Dr. Stennett was also an influential writer on numerous theological
subjects as well as the author of thirty-nine hymns. Despite his many
accomplishments, however, he will always be best remembered for these beautiful
words of adoration often used in communion services as well as for spiritual
enrichment during times of personal devotions.
Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Savior’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o’erflow,
His lips with grace o’erflow.
To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring
When He’s the subject of the song,
Who can refuse to sing?
Who can refuse to sing?
Survey the beauties of His face,
And on His glories dwell;
Think of the wonders of His grace,
And all His triumphs tell.
And all His triumphs tell!
No mortal can with Him compare
Among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair
Who fill the heav’nly train,
Who fill the heav’nly train.
He saw me plunged in deep distress
And flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross
And carried all my grief,
And carried all my grief.
His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head:
His presence gilds my darkest hours,
And guards my sleeping bed.
And guards my sleeping bed.
To Him I owe my life and breath
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death
And saves me from the grave,
And saves me from the grave.
To heav’n, the place of His abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete.
And makes my joys complete!
Since from His bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be Thine.
Lord, they should all be Thine!
Have Faith in God by H.M.S.
Richards, Used by Permission