Getty Family
Hymn of the month
A Monthly Hymn for Your Family to Sing and Grow in the Lord Together!
Getty Family
A Monthly Hymn for Your Family to Sing and Grow in the Lord Together!
Lyrics
We praise Thee, O God!
For the Son of Thy love
For Jesus Who died
And is now gone above
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Hallelujah! Amen
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Revive us again
We praise thee, O God,
for thy Spirit of light,
Who has shown us our Savior
and scattered our night
All glory and praise
To the Lamb that was slain
Who has borne all our sins
And has cleansed every stain
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Hallelujah! Amen
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Revive us again
Revive us oh Lord
With the water of life
With the bread of your word
Be our path’s daily light
Revive us again
Fill each heart with Thy love
May each soul be rekindled
With fire from above
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Hallelujah! Amen
Hallelujah! Thine the glory
Revive us again
(William Paton Mackay, 1839)
Psalm 80:18-19, ESV
“Revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
William Paton Mackay was born in Angus, Scotland in 1839. He grew up and became a doctor, never thinking he would also become a hymn writer. One day, as he was treating someone who was dying, he noticed that his patient was reading a Bible that used to belong to him as a little boy! His name had been written on the inside by his praying mother who had given it to him many years earlier. William later sold it when he needed money. This rediscovery was part of his journey in becoming a Christian. He later became a Presbyterian minister and wrote many hymns including this one, ‘Revive us again’. He died in 1885 after a tragic accident.
The melody was composed by John Jenkins Husband (1760-1825), an English man who emigrated to the United States. It was used with other songs but found its long-term home with William’s text and has since been sung by millions around the world.
It has been said that this hymn was inspired by Habakkuk 3:2, which says:
“O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.”
The lyrics beautifully link the need we each have to praise Him and the need we each have to be revived by Him. Singing praise to the Lord helps us do both!
We all know what it is like to be very thirsty. Perhaps it’s a very hot day or we’ve been running outside and all we can think about is getting a glass of ice-cold water! It revives us and brings life and energy back into us when we felt tired and weak. This hymn is asking the Lord that He would do this for our souls.
As a doctor, William knew all the things the body needed to survive. But as someone who knew the Lord, he also knew that we are more than just our bodies. We are body and soul and need the Lord to work a miracle of healing in both.
Jesus came and fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, and healed the sick. But He always used these things that we could see to help us understand the soul within that we can’t see. This is the part of us that will live forever, and the place where we need Christ’s life to be. When we pray to Him for forgiveness and that He would be our Lord and Savior, His life comes to live in us.
As we follow Him, we need help remembering to keep trusting in Him. We need a ‘cup of water’ every day for our souls to keep us healthy and strong - this comes as we read His Word, pray, spend time with other believers, and SING. Singing to Him helps revive our minds and hearts!
Father in heaven,
You have said that all who are thirsty can come to You and be satisfied. You are our Living water. There is no other stream that can do this for us. May we come to You, listen to You, and learn from You, that we may walk with strength and courage.
Revive our hearts to praise You and help others do the same.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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