Gazing on the Lord in glory

1
Gazing on the Lord in glory,
  While our hearts in worship bow,
There we read the wondrous story
  Of the cross—its shame and woe.
2
Every mark of dark dishonor
  Heaped upon the thorn-crowned brow
All the depths of Thy heart’s sorrow
  Told in answ’ring glory now.
3
On that cross, alone, forsaken,
  Where no pity’ng eye was found;
Now, to God’s right hand exalted,
  With Thy praise the heavens resound.
4
Did Thy God e’en then forsake Thee,
  Hide His face from Thy deep need?
In Thy face once marred and smitten,
  All His glory now we read.
5
Gazing on it we adore Thee,
  Blessed, precious, holy Lord;
Thou the Lamb, alone art worthy—
  This be earth’s and heaven’s accord.
6
Rise our hearts, and bless the Father,
  Ceaseless song e’en here begun,
Endless praise and adoration
  To the Father and the Son.
8
Janet Crawshaw

Sydney, NSW, Australia

I sang this hymn in my childhood in a small family meeting and I have thought of it often throughout my life. As I prepare to lead a ladies' Bible study group on Revelation and meditate on the scene of chapter 5, the words of this hymn have gained fresh meaning. It's pure worship and praise which will resonate in our hearts until we stand with the great multitude of the redeemed before the throne of God.


Joanna Smathers

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Three of us reading Watchman Nee collected Works vol. 23 are enjoying the Little Flock hymnal. This is a hymn I have never seen or heard. Hopefully we can learn and sing at the table meeting in remembrance of the Lord.


Chuang

中壢區, 桃園市

A nice song will inspire our spirit to go with our Lord.


Ana Lara

United States

Miss Cenita Thompson was born in 1822 and died in 1909. This hymn first appeared in the 1881 Little Flock Hymn Book. Miss Thompson contributed poems to the periodical “A Voice to the Faithful” and these were published after her death in 1909 as “ Songs of Praise” She resided in Clapham, England for many years along with Miss E. J. Elwood who was also a writer of hymns.

This hymn is on the Lord’s suffering and glory.


Paul Kuriakose

Kayanad, India

Inspiring song.


John Corson

Yass, NSW, Australia

From my earliest days I have sung this hymn in the morning meeting on sundays. It evokes lovely stirring memories of that wondrous time when we remembered our Lord. Now that I am in my late seventies this hymn and so many like it from the little flock hymn book stir my spirit and bring praise and adoration from my heart to my Saviour Jesus.


Brent

Calgary, AB, Canada

This is a beautiful hymn reminding us of the place my Saviour occupies today: seated at the right hand of the Father in glory.


Dan D Kilcup

Olympia, WA, United States

Raises the praise in our hearts to our Lord.

Please remember that it is best for any prayers offered after a hymn to follow the feeling conveyed in the hymn. For example, Hymns, #136, "In Thy face once marred and smitten, / All His glory now we read. / Gazing on it we adore Thee, / Blessed, precious, holy Lord." When we reach a high point in the spirit in our singing, we need a prayer to sustain the spirit of the meeting. This means that the words, "Gazing on it we adore Thee, / Blessed, precious, holy Lord;... / Rise our hearts," have brought us to the high point. Then instead of praying doctrinally, we should focus on the last two verses and pray, "Yes, Lord, as we are gazing on Your face, our hearts rise up to praise You." Immediately this prayer is linked to the hymn. Then more prayers should continue to focus on the Lord's glory. The atmosphere of the meeting will then be such that everyone sees the Lord's glory in its utmost purity. Hence, the author of the hymn does not need to say anything except, "Gazing on it we adore Thee, / Blessed, precious, holy Lord." If we can continue praising, the spirit of the meeting will be sustained. After numerous prayers of praise, our hearts will be fully turned to the Lord.