Many hymn writers has used our “Journey” through Space – Time to tell a story of our faith and of our praise of God.
Bible Book of Psalms
As discussed elsewhere, the Psalms are the Bible’s hymnal, the lyrics of songs but not the notes. This invites us to “sing” our own melody to them, as many talented artists have done.
Of particular note as “journey hymns” are:
“Psalms of Ascent,” Ps 120-134, were hymns sung by Jews journeying to Jerusalem to worship God at one of the Mosaic commemorative festivals.
“Songs for the Journey”
Songs, Hymns, & Psalms by David L. Edwards & Thom Field, produced in a printed collection of songs and responses, including:
Psalm 4, 8, 19, 24, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 43, 46, 51, 63, 80, 84, 90, 96, 104, 111, 116, 118, 121, 130, 137, 145, 148.
“Wayfarin’ Stranger”
Song by Emmylou Harris
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling thru this world of woe
Yet there’s no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go
I’m going there to see my father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
I know dark clouds will head around me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God’s redeemed their vigils keep
I’m going there to my mother
She said she’d meet me when I come
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
“Life’s Railway to Heaven”
Artist: Brad Paisely
Life is like a mountain railway,
With an engineer that’s brave;
We must make the run successful,
From the cradle to the grave;
Watch the curves, the fills, the tunnels;
Never falter, never fail;
Keep your hands upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.
Refrain:
Blessed Savior, Thou wilt guide us,
Till we reach that blissful shore,
Where the angels wait to join us
In Thy praise forevermore.
You will roll up grades of trial;
You will cross the bridge of strife;
See that Christ is your conductor
On this lightning train of life;
Always mindful of obstruction,
Do your duty, never fail;
Keep your hands upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.
You will often find obstructions,
Look for storms and wind and rain;
On a fill, or curve, or trestle
They will almost ditch your train;
Put your trust alone in Jesus,
Never falter, never fail;
Keep your hands upon the throttle,
And your eyes upon the rail.
As you roll across the trestle,
Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide,
You behold the Union Depot
Into which your train will glide;
There you’ll meet the Sup’rintendent,
God the Father, God the Son,
With the hearty, joyous plaudit,
“Weary Pilgrim, welcome home.”
“Pilgrim Days”
Artist: Will Reagan and United Pursuit
Brother sisters join this song
As we journey home
Brother sisters join this song
As we journey home
Hold my hand and walk with me
Till my pilgrim days are done
And there I’ll find this jubilee
Until my chains you’ll see undone
I walk towards eternity
With hands held high
Unashamed I will enter in
With love on my side
Hold my hand and walk with me
Till my pilgrim days are done
And there I’ll find this jubilee
Until my chains You’ll see undone
I walk this path you lead
and You keep moving me on
I know You’re with me
Lord in Zion
To Him who sits on the thrown
To Him who reigns forever
To Him who sits on the thrown
To Him who reigns forever
“When The Stars Burn Down (Blessing And Honor)”
Artists: Phillips, Craig, and Dean
When the stars burn down and the earth wears out
and we stand before the throne,
With the witnesses who have gone before,
We will rise and all applaud.
Singing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power forever to our God.” [2x]
When the hands of time wind fully down
And the earth is rolled up like a scroll,
The trumpets will call and the world will fall to its knees as we go home.
Singing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power forever to our God.” [4x]
Star of the morning
Light of salvation
Majesty
God of all mysteries
Lord of the universe
Righteous king
[repeat]
There will come a day, standing face to face, in a moment we’ll be like Him.
He will wipe our eyes dry and take us up to His side
And forever we will be His.
Singing, “Blessing and honor and glory and power forever to our God.” [repeat]
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Forever to our God
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Amy Grant’s recent CD “Hymns for the Journey“
(Yes, I know she’s divorced; let he who is without sin throw the first stone. Ms. Grant has never advocated divorce as a good thing, and is, I believe, humbled by this far-from-unique journey she has been through. Her songs, especially in this CD, bear the notes and timbre of a soul who has experienced joys and sorrows, highs and lows, in this walk we all are on from our space-time world to our next eternal one. Grace covers us all, all the time. If in doubt, check out the many Psalms written by King David himself, a man who, though he repented, committed far worse sins and was yet, in his humility used by God).
Tracklist of some very beautiful and touching songs:
1 My Jesus I Love Thee 3:34
2 Fairest Lord Jesus 3:15
3 Imagine/Sing The Wonderous Love Of Jesus 5:17
4 Anywhere With Jesus 3:10
5 Rock Of Ages 3:39
6 Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing 3:15
7 Carry You 3:00
8 Sweet Will Of God 2:51
9 Holy, Holy, Holy 2:26
10 Softly And Tenderly 4:03