According to Thy gracious word

1
According to Thy gracious word,
  In meek humility,
This will I do, my dying Lord,
  I will remember Thee.
2
Thy body, broken for my sake,
  My bread from heaven shall be;
Thy testamental cup I take,
  And thus remember Thee.
3
Gethsemane can I forget?
  Or there Thy conflict see,
Thine agony and bloody sweat,
  And not remember Thee?
4
When to the cross I turn mine eyes
  And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
  I must remember Thee-
5
Remember Thee and all Thy pains
  And all Thy love to me;
Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains,
  I will remember Thee.
6
And when these failing lips grow dumb
  And mind and memory flee,
When Thou shalt in Thy kingdom come,
  Jesus, remember me.
24
Natasha Williams

Brooklyn, New York, United States

".... when these failing lips go dumb, remember me, Lord Jesus! Let your love never depart from me!


AC Haway

Lucena City, Quezon, Philippines

Remember Thee and all Thy pains

And all Thy love to me;

Galatians 2:20 "…. the Son of God… loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Revelation 1:5 - [Jesus Christ] loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood

Song of Songs 1:4b - We will extol your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you.

S. S. 1:4b footnote The fellowship of Christ and His lover in her mingled spirit is in the joy of Christ’s lover with her companions (“we”), in their extolling of His unrivaled love.

-----

Lord, we extol You and remember You and Your love. Thank you for loving us that you died for us! Even while we were sinners You died for us. Oh Lord Jesus!


Reuben Goh Ern Tze

Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

My dad chose this song, just prior to our home communion. We are now in the midst of quarantine and cannot gather in any building. We still sing great songs in remembrance in our mighty God. Amen.


Merina Chen

Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Lord, we thank you for loving us.


Ana Lara

United States

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

James Montgomery’s parents were Moravian missionaries to the West Indies. While attending a Moravian seminary in England, young James received word of the sudden death of both his parents in the mission field. Soon after James quit the seminary and, for a period of time lived a life of discouragement. Soon he became interested in newspaper work and writing. At the age of 23 he was appointed editor of the weekly ‘Sheffield Register’ in London, maintaining his position for the following 31 years. As editor Montgomery championed many causes one of which was the abolition of slavery. He also helped the poor and downtrodden. Twice he was imprisoned for writing about controversial issues. In 1797 he published a volume of poems called ‘Prison Amusements’ due to the fact that many of his works were written in prison. In 1825 he gave up his paper to devote himself to literary pursuits as well as the promotion of foreign missions. By 1833 Mr. Montgomery was recognized throughout his homeland for his integrity and worth and was awarded an annual pension of $1, 000 by the government, as a reward for his many contributions to English society.

Montgomery wrote approximately 400 hymns including ‘According to Thy Gracious Word’. The composer of this tune, was Henry Smart. Although largely self-taught, Smart was recognized as one of the finest organists and composers of the British Isles. For the last fifteen years of his life he was completely blind yet he continued to play and write some of his finest music. The original tune to this hymn, known as “Regent Square” was written during this period of blindness. The tune was composed especially for a hymnal being compiled by Dr. Hamilton, pastor of London’s Regent Square Presbyterian Church. Smart dedicated his new tune to this church. He also designed and built some of England’s finest organs and was often sought out both in England and Scotland for advice in new organ installations.


Ana Lara

United States

The two great contributors to the development of English hymnody are often thought as Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley respectively. Next to these two writers, it is commonly agreed by students of hymnology that James Montgomery is thought to be a foremost authority in hymnology, John Julian has written,

“Montgomery’s devotional spirit was of the noblest type. With the faith of a strong man he united the beauty and simplicity of a child. Richly poetic without exuberance, dogmatic without uncharitableness, tender without sentimentality, elaborate without diffusiveness, richly musical without apparent effort, he has bequeathed to the church wealth which could only come from true genius and a sanctified heart."


Castella Brown

Freeport

I loved this hymn it reminds me of all my saviour has done for me on that old rugged cross, oh how I love him so. Thank you Jesus for all you done for me.


Ken Harding

Sydney, NSW, Australia

As I considered the suffering of my Saviour last night the words from my early years came to mind "Gethsemane can I for get ..." I could not find it in any book so googled it and found this wonderful old hymn to pour over and refresh my deep appreciation of my Saviour. Thank you!


Heather

Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada

Thank-you Yeshua, you never fail us or forget us. You do not deal with us as our sin deserves.


Victoria Ekpo

London, England, United Kingdom

I remembered this inspiring hymn while having communion in the church and tears flowed freely from my eyes. I sang only the first verse.

Lord Jesus remember us even as we look up to You for succour on a daily basis. Amen.

Piano Hymns