More Hymn Attempts

Thinking about hymns in my last post has prompted me to post a couple more of my weak attempts at the subject.  I must have read too much Dr. Seuss as a child, because sometimes I just get the urge to rhyme things.  Over the years I've cranked out silly poems for my wife, goofy greeting card couplets, and even a few poor attempts at songs.  None of it has been all that great, but it's something I have fun with.

Being someone with an interest in church music/hymns, it's only natural that occasionally this drive would head in that direction as well.  Awhile back I posted one attempt at a hymn, well actually one "real" attempt and one just for fun.  Our generous and sympathetic worship leader even had us sing the serious one in church one Sunday. 

Anyway, since I've been thinking in those terms again lately, I thought I'd toss these out.  The first is a short meter verse that I envisioned with a tune like "St. Thomas" (you music nerds will know about tune names, or you can google it).  The other I wrote to fit the tune "Loriann" which was written for the hymn "All to Thee."  Richard Baker named the tune after his daughter.  We didn't know that when we named our own daughter LoriAnn, but since there is a tune with her name, I thought I'd give it a shot.

God Help Me  (Short Meter)

God help me, I am weak

Apart from You I’m done

I need your grace, your mercy sweet

That comes through Christ Your Son

God help me see Your love

Which in Christ You displayed

He came and died a sacrifice

My sin on Him was laid

God help me trust in You

And in the hope You gave

Though dead in sin, You gave me life

And by Your grace I’m saved

God help me, lift me up

I still need grace each day

To live and serve and praise Your name

Oh help me, Lord, I pray

Praise His Name (8.7  8.7  with refrain)

1. Many years I had been seeking

For a purpose in my life

Sin had led astray, deceived me

Till Christ opened up my eyes

Refrain

Praise His name, O praise His holy name.

Praise His name, Sing only of His fame. 

Praise His name, I’ll never be ashamed

His grace I’ll ever claim, O praise His name

2. Jesus died to pay my ransom

Rose again to set me free

By His grace I have the promise

That one day His face I’ll see

Refrain

3. Now each day I seek to serve Him,

Give my life to make Him known.

I’m so grateful for His mercy

Glad He claimed me as His own

Refrain

Songs copyright 2012, Servantheart Music, Used by Permission