Welcome to the History Behind the Hymns podcast. This is episode #10

I am your host, Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International. I am one of many Christians who still loves the old hymns of the faith even more than many modern Christian songs. For the past 33 years, my wife and children and I have sung the old hymns during our family devotion time. Over the years we have used an Independent Baptist hymn book, a National Baptist hymn book, and a Southern Baptist hymn book to sing the old hymns of the faith. And we have sung the old hymns of the faith with traditional Methodist churches online. The old hymns of the faith have been a tremendous source of blessing and encouragement to my heart down through the years. The purpose of this podcast is to encourage you to dust off your old hymn book and experience the power and blessing of well-written hymns based upon sound doctrine for the glory of God that will strengthen your faith.

The History Behind the Hymns passage of Scripture is Ezekiel 20:6 which reads: “In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:”

The History Behind the Hymns quote for today is from Johann Sebastian Bach. He said: “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hubbub.”

The quote in connection to today’s hymn is from Dwight L. Moody. He said: “Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.”

Our hymn for today is “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand” by Samuel Stennett. It reads:

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

O the transporting, rapturous scene,
That rises to my sight!
Sweet fields arrayed in living green,
And rivers of delight!

There generous fruits that never fail,
On trees immortal grow;
There rocks and hills, and brooks and vales,
With milk and honey flow.

O’er all those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.

No chilling winds or poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
Are felt and feared no more.

When I shall reach that happy place,
I’ll be forever blest,
For I shall see my Father’s face,
And in His bosom rest.

Filled with delight my raptured soul
Would here no longer stay;
Though Jordan’s waves around me roll,
Fearless I’d launch away.

I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
Oh who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.

Now here is the history behind the hymn, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”. According to Umcdiscipleship.org:

Samuel Stennett (1727-1795), an English Baptist, came from a long line of ministers. He was the son of a Seventh-Day Adventist pastor. In the 18th century, university education was not easily available to nonconformist families—those who refused to swear allegiance to the Church of England. Stennett did study at the academy at Miles End with distinction, however.

In spite of his nonconformist religious stance, Stennett was a personal friend to the reigning monarch, King George III. Stennett was honored in 1763 with a doctor of divinity degree from King’s College, Aberdeen, for his accomplishments.

He served as an assistant to his father in his congregation in 1747 and assumed the position of pastor upon his father’s death in 1758. He was called as pastor of the Sabbatarian Baptist Church in 1767, a congregation that had been served by his grandfather, but declined the call. While continuing his other position, he preached to the Sabbatarian congregation every Saturday for 20 years.

John Rippon, an English Baptist pastor, published in 1787 an influential collection, A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. Thirty-eight of Stennett’s hymns appeared in this popular collection. Among those was a hymn under the heading of “Heaven Anticipated” with the title of “The Promised Land” in eight four-line stanzas.

The hymn as it appeared in America looked and sounded much different. William Walker’s The Southern Harmony was the first to include “The Promised Land.” This was one of the most popular of the 19th-century, oblong-tune books with shaped notes.

The tune PROMISED LAND was paired with the text. The Southern Harmony attributes the tune to “Miss M. Durham” but we know nothing else about the composer. The tune has many of the characteristics of the traditional folk melodies of the time.

Originally written in a minor mode, Rigdon M. McIntosh, a Southern musician, altered the tune to the major mode, and as was customary among American evangelicals in the 19th century added a refrain beginning with “I am bound for the promised land.” This version was published in 1895 in H. R. Christie’s Gospel Light and has become the standard version for many hymnals since that time.

From the start, the four stanzas focus on heaven. The singer stands on the banks of the Jordan River looking across to the “fair and happy land” of Canaan—a metaphoric mixture of images from the books of Exodus and Revelation. Our true “possessions” lie in Canaan (Heaven) and not on the earthly side of Jordan.

In stanza two we find that Canaan is a land of “wide extended plains” where “the eternal day” is always shining. In this land Jesus (“God the Son”) reigns. Furthermore, stanza three tells us that Canaan is a spiritually healthful place to live: “No chilling winds or poisonous breath can reach that healthful shore.” Therefore, “sickness and sorrow, pain and death” do not exist in Canaan.

In the final stanza, the singer obviously cannot wait to get there. Upon arrival in the Promised Land, we will “see [our] Father’s face, and in his bosom rest.” The refrain gives the hymn a sense of marching forward to eternal life.

Carlton R. Young, editor of The UM Hymnal, places this hymn within the context 19th-century American expansion: “The British poet composed these apocalyptic lines with an ear towards Exodus and Revelation in another setting. USA evangelicals and their song transformed the text into earthly and vital metaphors of the vision, vigor, enthusiasm, and optimism of frontier life moving on to the promised land of Kentucky or Missouri.”

In our next episode we will look at the history behind the hymn, “Abide with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte.

Let’s Pray —

Dear friend, this hymn honors God and the Lord Jesus Christ, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and you want to get to know Him today here’s how.

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will.

May God bless you and keep you until we meet again.

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President Donald Trump was greeted with loud cheering as he spoke to the largest crowd ever in his political career during a visit to India on Monday.

He’s making a quick 36-hour visit to the country, speaking to more than 100,000 people at Motera Stadium in Ahmedabed. 

Welcome to India @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/EOweSVwnXG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020

Unparalleled vibrancy at the world’s largest stadium. Watch… pic.twitter.com/RupPFsOq2z

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020

President Trump and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi both spoke at the event, praising each other. They also talked about strengthening US-India trade ties which have been strained by trade disputes. 

Outside the massive stadium there were rallies of supporters and protestors for President Trump who was greeted on the inside to massive cheers – observers say it provided “enviable overseas imagery” for the president during this election year.  

Almost everyone at the stadium wore a white cap with the words, “Namaste, Trump” or “Welcome, Trump,” and cheered when both leaders were introduced.

During his opening speech, Trump announced he had traveled 8,000 miles to tell the crowd that “America loves India, America respects India and America will be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people.”

The president will wrap up his visit to India on Tuesday in the capital where he will meet with Modi over trade talks and dinner. The US and India are closely associated, partly as a safeguard against the growing influence of China. 

Trade tensions between the two countries increased after the Trump administration enforced tariffs on steel and aluminum from India. 

India responded with higher penalties on agricultural goods and restrictions on US medical equipment. The US responded by removing India from a decades-old trade program.

But Trump announced at the stadium that India would spend billions of dollars for American military equipment. 

“I am pleased to announce that tomorrow our representatives will sign deals to sell over $3 billion in the absolute finest state of the art military helicopters and other equipment to the Indian armed forces,” Trump said.

Also he offered his optimistic predictions on poverty and the future of India.

“India will soon be the home of the biggest middle class anywhere in the world,” Trump said. “And within less than 10 years, extreme poverty in your country is projected to completely disappear. The potential for India is absolutely incredible.”

President Trump concluded his speech on a positive note adding, “God bless India. God bless the United States of America. We love you. We love you, India, very much. Thank you.”

After leaving the stadium, Trump and First Lady Melania visited the Taj Mahal and strolled around the grounds of India’s most famous attractions.

Upon landing in Ahmedabad, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS @MELANIATRUMP went to Sabarmati Ashram.

The path and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi are not only globally popular but also very relevant in today’s times. pic.twitter.com/FyH1sOrhrn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 24, 2020

Agra: US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the Taj Mahal. pic.twitter.com/jjyrHrC1Yz

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2020

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This is Daniel Whyte III president of Gospel Light Society International with The Scripture & the Sense Podcast #423, where I read the Word of God and give the sense of it based on an authoritative commentary source such as the Bible Knowledge Commentary or Matthew Henry Commentary. This podcast is based upon Nehemiah 8:8 where it says Ezra and the Levites “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” The aim of this podcast is that through the simple reading of the Word of God and the giving of the sense of it, the church would be revived and the world would be awakened.

Today we are reading Amos 2:8.

8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god.

________

That was Amos 2:8. Now here is the sense of it.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary reads:

Fourth, God’s Law placed restrictions on items which could be taken as collateral. Millstones were not to be taken since they were needed for grinding grain and thus were essential to sustaining life. The cloak of a poor man was not to be kept as a pledge overnight; a widow’s garment could not be taken in pledge at all. Yet the people openly and flagrantly were lying down with the forbidden garments, going so far in their contempt for the Law as to spread them at the sacrificial feasts by every altar. Fifth, Israel had rebelled against the most basic covenant stipulation of all—they were worshiping other gods (as Judah was doing). The wine they had unjustly extracted from the poor as fines was being raised in honor to a heathen god.

____________

Thank you for listening to the Scripture & The Sense Podcast. Remember to read the Word of God each and every day and pray without ceasing to God for wisdom to understand it and apply it to your life. Most importantly, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Please stay tuned for a complete presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ so that you can get your soul saved from Hell to that wonderful place called Heaven when you die. May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.

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Kobe Bryant, From His Own Mouth, Trusted Jesus Christ as His Saviour and Is Now in Heaven, Not in Hell. The Question Now Is, If You Were to Tragically Die Today Where Would You Go Heaven Or Hell? (GLMX #424)

This is the “chief of sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, reminding you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me.

James 4:14 reads, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Kobe Bryant, the retired five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, died tragically and unexpectedly on January 26, 2020 at age 41 when his helicopter crashed into a mountainside near Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, head baseball coach at Orange Coast College John Altobelli, his wife Keri and their 14-year-old daughter Alyssa, wife and mom Sarah Chester and her 13-year old daughter Payton, basketball assistant coach Christina Mauser; and pilot Ara Zobayan. The group of nine were en route to a basketball game at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in Newbury Park. These young people with their lives ahead of them were not expecting to die and no one was prepared for the news of their tragic passing as they left behind grieving spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends and coworkers. We have prayed for all of the families impacted since this tragedy happened.

As millions around the world mourn the sudden and untimely death of Kobe Bryant, who by all indications was just beginning his new life outside of basketball having already won an Academy Award, the Bible reminds us that all of us will die one day. You may not know how or when but one day you will pass into eternity.

Most of us expect to live long, fulfilled lives where we will be able to “prepare” for death at a ripe old age, such as by making our own funeral arrangements and writing a will. Some say they will think about death “later” and sadly many do not think about death at all or about what comes after.

Following his untimely death, Randy Shepherd and Jamie Johnson of Crossfire Ministry shared a picture they took with Kobe Bryant in London at the 2012 Summer Olympics. This picture comes with a story. Shepherd recalls: “[W]e were telling different guys about Crossfire basketball ministry, and Kobe was there.”

The photo opportunity happened quickly at the Team USA hotel. That encounter gave Shepherd and Johnson a chance to ask Kobe about something bigger than basketball.

Shepherd told News 13, “He was gracious, his bodyguard stepped out of the way. And I said ‘Kobe, have you ever invited the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Lord and Savior?’ A question I’ve asked a lot of people from kids to the president and he said, ‘yes, I’ve done that’.”

After posing for the picture, they gave him a Crossfire testimony Gospel card.

Now, like everyone else, Shepherd and Johnson are shocked at his death.

Johnson said, “I hope each of us takes a moment to stop and think about what lies ahead. We are not promised tomorrow and it is not a bad idea to ponder what comes next after we die. The Bible says, we are not promised tomorrow. And tomorrow in the Bible means, at some point we will die and we don’t always know when. Therefore it is important for each of us to tackle the question, ‘Where am I going when I die?’ Yes, Kobe will be greatly missed for different reasons, family, sports influence and more, but assuming he placed his faith in Christ [as he told us], along with the others, they’ll all spend eternity with Jesus Christ.”

Kobe Bryant’s death and the deaths of the eight others who perished with him on that fatal helicopter ride, remind us that we all have an appointment with death. Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” You might guess that your death is a long way off, when it might be as soon as…today. So dear friend, you need to think about death and you need to prepare for your death and what comes after. If you do not know how to do that here is how:

First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”

Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 18:8: “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now that is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.

Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you believe that Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead, and you want to trust Him for your Salvation today, please pray with me this simple prayer: Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. I am sorry for my sins, and today I choose to turn from my sins. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. I trust Jesus Christ as my Savior and I choose to follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the Cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior today, please email me at [email protected] and let us know. There is some free material that we want to send you. If you have a prayer request, please e-mail that to us as well, and we will pray for you until you tell us to stop.

Remember, friend, Believe by faith. Share the faith. and Keep the faith!

God Bless You!

Let me leave you with this prayer. If you pray this daily it will help prepare you for the eventualities of life:

God, prepare us for good days and bad days,
prepare us for celebrations and tragedies,
prepare us for weddings and funerals,
prepare us for life and death.In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Iranian officials on Monday reported four more deaths from the new coronavirus, bringing the death toll so far in Iran to 12, the country’s state TV reported. 
  
The state media broadcaster quoted lawmaker Asadollah Abbasi as saying that the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 47, including those who have died of the virus. Abbasi said the latest figures came from Health Minister Saeed Namaki at a closed session of the parliament.
  
The report comes after the health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from the new virus that first emerged in China in December to eight, amid concerns that clusters there as well as in Italy and South Korea could signal a serious new stage in its global spread.
  
The outbreak in Iran has centered mostly on the city of Qom, but spread rapidly over the past few days to people in at least four other cities, including the capital, Tehran. Iranians also went to the polls on Friday for nationwide parliamentary elections, with many voters wearing masks and stocking up on hand sanitizer. 
  
Abbasi said people who illegally travelled to Iran from Pakistan, Afghanistan and China were the “source” of the infection.
  
Travellers infected with the virus from Iran were confirmed in Canada and Lebanon last week. In more recent days, the United Arab Emirates reported a married Iranian couple had been found to be infected.
  
Kuwait said on Monday that three people returning from the Iran were infected with the virus, among them a Saudi national, while Bahrain reported a citizen returning from Iran had also been found to have the virus.
  
Countries bordering Iran have taken preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus from Iranian travellers, with some barring Iranians from entry altogether.
  
Iran is already facing diplomatic and economic isolation under U.S. pressure. The virus threatens to isolate Iran even further as countries shut their borders to Iranians.
  
Authorities in Iran shuttered schools in at least 10 provinces across the country. Tehran University also suspended classes and shuttered its dormitories for several days. Those who live in student dorms were asked to return to their home towns and continue classes through the internet where possible.
  
Soccer fans across the country will not be allowed to attend matches, and shows in movie theaters and other venues were suspended until Friday. Authorities have begun daily sanitization of Tehran’s metro, which is used by some 3 million people, and public transportation cars in the city.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)

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Justin Bieber was among hundreds devoted to celebrating Christ at Kanye West’s Sunday Service.

While attending the religious gathering, the 25-year-old Yummy singer made a surprise performance of Marvin Sapp’s gospel hit Never Would Have Made It to a roaring crowd.

‘Never could have made it, without you,’ Bieber sang, while wearing a red hoodie after a moving performance of Every Hour by West and his chorus in a video shared on Kim Kardashian’s Instagram Story.

The audience grew more vocal, as he passionately sang: ‘I’m stronger, I’m wiser/ I’m better, much better/When I look back over all you brought me through.’

During his performance Bieber beamed, as one attendee pointed to the sky and others clapped enthusiastically.

As Bieber closed his emotional performance, asking to be ‘set free,’ he jumped off the stage to give the 42-year-old Follow God singer a sweet embrace.

While Kardashian only filmed the back of the pop superstar’s head, the smooth vocals undeniably belonged to the Sorry hitmaker.

Bieber was among a few special performers on Sunday, which also included performances from Roddy Ricch and Rob Base.

West’s firstborn child North, 6, could be dancing excitedly in the crowd in additional videos captured by the KKW Beauty founder.

Justin first expressed interest in one of Yeezy’s gospel gatherings after performing at another church last March.

‘My whole message at church the other day was there’s power in your weakness,’ he told TMZ at the time.

Practicing Christianity is important to Bieber and wife Hailey Baldwin, who are regulars at the Hillsong Church in LA.

The devoted churchgoers recently opened up about how faith plays a major role in his long-term plans, including when he’ll have children.

‘When you accept Jesus, he says that now you walk with the Holy Spirit. So, I think I just want to be led by the Holy Spirit,’ said in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe to promote his new album Changes, which became his seventh record to hit number one.

Before beginning a family, however, he would like to ‘go on tour, be married, enjoy travelling with just us, build more of our relationship.’

SOURCE: Daily Mail, Dierdre Simonds

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