» Vernon Higham Hymns ABC
Vernon Higham Hymns A
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (88.88.D. Trewen)
A beautiful name I have heard,
With sound of salvation to me;
God’s only begotten and Word,
This Jesus of blest Calvary.
Eternal, yet born into time,
Unchanging, for ever the same,
A Saviour in person sublime
Has taken our sin and our shame.
The burdens of life press me hard,
And weariness weighs like the hills;
Then Satan with wiles to retard
Surrounds my poor soul with all ills.
I then look to Jesus my Lord,
And find a new grace for the day;
New mercies fresh manna afford,
Which drive all my terrors away.
His person I’ll never exhaust,
Unchanging yet ever anew;
Without Him I’m weak and I’m lost,
But with Him my strength does renew.
The mountains of hard unbelief
I’ll move with the power of His name;
Although all I am is but brief,
My Saviour is ever the same.
Whenever I look on Thy face,
New beauties I’ll ever behold:
I’ll ever discover new grace,
The half cannot ever be told.
A Saviour so constant and true,
Immortal, eternal and pure;
Thy mercy is fresh as the dew
Reviving with grace to endure.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
John 12:24 (C.M. St. Stephen)
A corn of wheat abides alone,
Except it fall and die;
Deep in the ground new life is born,
Yet there it has to lie.
Deep in the mystery of grace
Of Thine eternal realm,
Thy blessèd Son took our disgrace,
And thus fulfilled Thy plan.
Death worketh life on Calvary,
And sinner’s burden borne;
A place for man from wrath to flee,
The Saviour’s crown adorn.
We gaze upon an empty cross,
And on a gaping grave:
The Saviour died, yet in His loss,
Eternal life He gave.
Until we die to self and sin,
Then we abide alone;
Yet when we die we live in Him,
And stand before that throne.
Death worketh life – O image strange!
Life that shall endless be,
Exquisite truth and sweet exchange –
Thy gift at Calvary.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.” Ephesians 2:4 (76.76)
A path of grace and mercy
That led me to the Lord.
Such wondrous loving pity
Displayed within the Word.
’Tis here I see the mercy
That rescued me from Sin
To bring my soul to Calvary
Removing sin within.
My weeping heart beholding
The One who bore my shame.
My happy soul adoring
My heart is now aflame.
’Twas there a glimpse of glory
Now filled my soul with peace.
To see Him in His beauty
Where praises cannot cease.
Where is this place of wonder
Where fear and death are gone?
I now behold my Father,
For all I need is done.
There is a throne of splendour
With such a glorious sight.
For here, there is no sorrow
And day dispels the night.
“Against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.”
Psalm 51:4 (D.S.M. Llanllyfni)
Against Thee have I sinned,
Before the King Divine,
And all my evil is exposed
Before my eyes and Thine.
O hear me as I cry,
Have mercy on my soul;
I come to Thee, O hear my sigh,
Forgive and make me whole.
There is no worthiness
Within my broken heart,
My fallen nature, sore distress
Shall surely be my part;
Unless Thy grace lays hold
With glorious truth to share
And grants me mercy to be bold
When Thou hast shown Thy care.
Create, O God, within
A heart both pure and clean;
Restore my spirit, blot my sin,
And let me on Thee lean.
Thy Holy Spirit give –
O never take away!
And grant that He may in me live,
To give me joy this day.
Thy presence is my light –
O never leave Thine own!
But fill my breast with pure delight
That I am Thine alone.
O take my lips this day,
Thy wonders to proclaim,
To tell of Thy redeeming way,
And magnify Thy fame.
What dost Thou ask of me,
What sacrifice to please?
For nothing in my hands can be
Sufficient to appease.
O look upon my heart,
Now broken, Lord, by grace;
My contrite spirit will not part,
I’ll ever seek Thy face.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14 (66.84.D. Leoni or Dolwyddelan)
All glory to our God
Who dwells in light sublime:
His sceptre is a sparkling rod,
With power divine.
Behold His mercy-seat,
A throne of grace and peace;
His face of love and passion sweet
From fears release.
Creation is His plan,
A beauteous whole;
And from the dust, He formed a man,
A living soul.
Before man fell His grace
Reached out with hand outspread;
Then Jesus moved our sin’s disgrace,
And Satan fled.
The angels anthems sing,
And shepherds gladly call,
As wise men costly gifts now bring
To infant small.
Our souls cry out the song:
‘Glory to God on high’;
We praise His name, embrace His love:
He brought us nigh.
The host in heaven above
Join with the saints below
To worship now our God of love,
His glories show.
O Father, Spirit, Son,
O blessèd Union thrice,
We fall before the Holy One,
The Pearl of price.
“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.”
Luke 2:29,30 (D.C.M. Forest Green)
All praise and honour to the child,
In gentle arms who lay,
When Simeon took this undefiled,
The Lord whom men did slay.
He gazed upon the little one,
And gladness filled his breast;
His eyes beheld God’s only Son,
In whom all men are blest.
We rest in arms eternal, strong,
Secure for evermore;
For we are found, to Him belong;
Our souls He will restore.
The arms of grace encompass firm
With pardon and with love;
Assurance does our hearts confirm,
The gift of God above.
We gaze into the eyes of Him
Who grants us peace of mind;
For we have seen the Saviour win
Salvation for mankind.
We look to Jesus Christ our Lord,
And rest in Him alone;
For we have hearkened to His word,
The Lord who did atone.
The hope and light of all mankind,
Emmanuel now displayed;
He fills our eyes and, men to find,
Behold the price He paid!
We worship Thee with heart and voice,
And praise Thy sweetest grace;
Recline our souls as we rejoice
To feel Thy blest embrace.
“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.”
Psalm 139:1 (C.M. Bishopthorpe)
All that I am I now confess,
And let Thy gaze explore
The hidden depths which so distress
And daily I deplore.
When painful light I welcome now,
Revealing all my sin;
I cry for mercy, as I bow
My heart for Thee to win.
I know Thou art a God supreme:
O hear my heart implore,
For in my mind I fondly dream
Of grace that will restore.
Restore my soul, my heart refresh
In avenues of peace,
Where grace and truth on mortal flesh
Are gifts God will release.
All that I am now thrills in Thee,
The Lord and Judge of all;
For I have heard at Calvary
The sweetest heavenly call.
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 2:16 (D.L.M. Merthyr Tydfil)
All that the eye can ever see,
Or this poor mind can comprehend:
All, all are Thine, and nought can be
Outside Thy scope, each to Thee bend.
Beyond the regions of my sight,
And past the confines of my thought,
Is Thy vast, pure, compelling light,
Revealing all that Thou has wrought.
Yet there are depths within Thy heart
That throb with love and care for me,
And all my efforts to depart
But bring me back Thy grace to see.
Compelling love, constraining grace
That holds the great, and holds the small,
With firmer hold and sweet embrace,
For none of Thine shall fail or fall.
Thou art the Father of my Lord,
Who shed His blood to cover me
With righteousness, and dost afford
A place of peace and purity.
His name is Jesus, Christ of God,
I cling to Him, I love His name,
For He has borne the heavy rod
A painful penalty and shame.
There is no path where I may tread,
Nor any way from Thee to hide,
No solace, but the constant dread,
If I do not with Thee abide.
Thy name is Jesus Christ my Lord,
And all my life and soul is Thine,
A conquest made by Thy blest sword,
A victory won by grace divine.
Based on Isaiah 53. (C.M. Saron)
All we like sheep have gone astray,
Each one his own way chose;
So far from God we turned away,
To him we seemed like foes.
Yet He in mercy came to save
Thy lost and wandering sheep;
The heart of love our sin forgave,
His precious ones to keep.
On Him iniquity was laid,
Upon His sinless frame;
The debt for sin was fully paid,
Our guilt, our sin, our shame.
The Son of God, our shepherd dear,
Before the shearers stood;
In silence holy, without fear,
Was slaughtered for our good.
The wounds of Christ, eternal worth,
Moved heaven in wonder – still!
His brutal bruises here on earth
Fulfilled His Father’s will.
Transgressors now in silent awe
With tears embrace the Son;
The One who satisfied the law
Salvation now has won.
Despised was He by sinful man,
Rejected by His kind.
But now believe with loud ‘Amen’,
His grace to those who find.
“His righteousness remaineth for ever.”
2 Corinthians 9:9 (87.87.D.)
Angels gaze amazed in wonder,
Glorious sight to faith displayed.
See our Maker and Sustainer
Perfect in His work arrayed.
In a manger gently rocking,
With no place to lay His head.
Yet with Heavenly Host adoring
Worship Him in humble bed.
Let us praise with loud thanksgiving
Praise Him with our latest breath
Now my soul with joy is singing
With such words outlive our death.
In our nature was afflicted
With the weakness of mankind.
He was fully man, yet sinless,
Yet in Him the Godhead find.
Hear Mount Sinai loudly thunder
And the trumpet sound the call.
Safe are we in love and wonder
In our Saviour cannot fall.
In the righteousness of Jesus
Faith is born and fear is dead.
In His sacrifice made for us
We have nothing more to dread.
Ann Griffiths (1776-1805)
Trans. William Vernon Higham
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 (88.88.88. Pater Omnium)
Armour of God, blest panoply,
My comfort, strength and mantle be:
Child of Thy grace redeemed by blood –
Saved from Thy wrath and Satan’s flood.
Merit of Christ so rich and free
Pardons my sin and covers me.
With agile swiftness Satan’s head
Is raised to strike, instilling dread:
A lion’s roar or angel call
Are sent by him to make us fall.
Christian, awake! And cry to God,
Be amply girt and fully shod.
We wrestle hard and struggle long;
Christ and His strength to us belong.
Each moment of our pilgrimage
Is filled with danger, Satan’s rage.
His wiles are subtle, sharp and wise;
We cry to Christ that we might rise.
Armour of God, O cover me,
With gospel truth my gown to be;
Imputed righteousness divine
My heart protects, I know He’s mine.
My wandering feet in peaceful way,
Thy shield of faith for my array.
O take my mind, my blessèd Lord,
With helmet pure in thought and word:
Thy Word of God a sword of flame
So sharp and true, expounds the Name
Of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man
And Son of God, eternal span.
I pray to Thee, blest Trinity,
To God’s Almighty Unity;
Thy sovereign rule I would adore,
And prove Thy power of boundless store.
Thy word can stay the Evil One,
A smile renew from Thy dear Son.
“What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?”
Revelation 7:13 (86.886. Rest)
Around the throne of God above
There stands a glorious throng;
They tune their harps to themes of love,
Enabled by the Holy Dove
To sing the gospel song.
The music of the heavenly choir
Delights the hearts of all;
With chords of grace, on harp and lyre,
They tell of Satan’s end of fire
In lake of bitter gall.
But who are these arrayed in white
And gowns of purity?
They are the saints who bathed in light
Do now appear, a glorious sight,
From sin and death set free.
This act of mercy we behold
Was planned by wondrous Three:
The Father’s choice; a Saviour sold
For sin and death, an act so bold;
The Spirit leads to Thee.
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
1 Peter 1:8 (10.10.10.10. Toulon)
Author of life and fount of truth and grace,
Source of all being, grant my soul a place.
Thou Rose of Sharon, fairest of my heart
Whisper assurance that can ne’er depart.
Spirit of Christ, and Comforter, I greet,
Speak to my soul Thy confirmation sweet;
Spirit to spirit, seal my heart to Thine,
In marks of grace that make Thee ever mine.
When I despair upon life’s weary way,
Grant Abba, Father, Thou wilt with me stay,
Never to leave me, always be my guide,
Keeping me close to Thy Son’s piercèd side.
I have not seen Thee with my naked eye,
Yet I believe the God that cannot lie;
I have not seen Thee, yet I love Thy Name,
Unspeakable my joy, my heart aflame!
Blessèd inheritance to me belong,
O how my soul thrills with salvation’s song:
Thanks be to God for all Thou dost provide;
Glory to Thee in whom I now abide.
“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
Ephesians 2:1 (88.88.88. Pater Omnium)
Author of life and pardoning love,
We thank Thee for Thy Holy Dove,
Sweet visitant of grace and light,
Whose quickening touch dispelled my night;
The blood of Christ absolved my stain,
And brought me near to God again.
At Calvary’s cross I saw His face,
And stood amazed at truth and grace:
My vain good work and life of pride
Stood now exposed at His dear side;
O heavy punishment so dread!
He took it all for me instead.
What does this mean, the dead alive?
For none but God could e’er contrive
A scheme devised in realms sublime,
And penetrating into time –
This sinful man, incapable,
Quickened by God adorable!
Wonderful Saviour from above
Livened my soul, imparting love;
Called from the dead to live with Thee
On earth, and then eternally.
Praises and joy now fill my soul,
For Thou art Lord, my all in all.
“And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”
Zecheriah 13:6 (C.M. Salzburg)
Awake O sword of Israel’s Lord
And smite the Shepherd now:
According to Thy holy word,
Thou must Thy grace allow.
To wound Thy Son with hurt so sore
Yet rich in grace for men:
Our hearts will ever Thee adore,
And sing the sweet Amen.
Within the house of friends was He
Betrayed and crucified;
Yet in His death on Calvary
All hell He then defied.
He is the Rose of Sharon fair,
He is the Lily frail;
He is the Son beyond compare,
His grace shall never fail.
Lord Jesus Christ, we Thee acclaim,
Only Begotten Son;
Thy work, Thy death, Thy life, Thy fame,
Both heaven and earth have won.
“For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
2 Corinthians 5:1 (88.88.88. St. Catherine)
Awake, my soul, the view behold,
Gaze on this splendour yet untold;
A glorious sight, a holy throne,
And God regarding all His own:
For He is Lord and God divine,
Whose grace and glory ever shine.
This earthly life and vanity,
Like mist and vapour, fade and flee;
Search as we may to be secure,
All pass away and we are poor.
This house of time is quickly spent,
Our mortal frame, a shifting tent.
A house we have, not made by hand,
A tabernacle that will stand;
The plan of God, with mercy fair,
Constructed by His loving care;
A dwelling place, sweet work of grace,
Where we shall see the Master’s face.
We know the terror of the Law,
And tremble at the sight with awe:
Yet we have known, and we have seen
A wondrous truth where we can lean.
A shaft of mercy love unfolds,
A robe of righteousness enfolds.
For in this royal home above,
We shall be clothed in gown of love;
Our nakedness gone clean away,
True righteousness is our display.
The blood of Christ will justice meet,
The judgement throne, a mercy seat.
Vernon Higham Hymns B
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1 (C.M. Lloyd)
Behold, how blessèd is the place
Where brethren meet in love;
For they have known the Spirit’s grace,
As gentle as a dove.
Precious the brow that feels the balm
Of healing incense sweet;
The savour of eternal calm
Its glorious God now greet.
Silent the dew on Zion’s hills,
Eternal stillness lies;
The promise of a God who wills
His bountiful supplies.
Command the blessing there, O Lord
Of everlasting life;
Compel Thy people by Thy word
To cease from sinful strife.
Come quickly to Thy people, now,
And hear our humble cry;
Grant us Thy blessing as we bow
In contrite unity.
Sweet is the balm and fresh the dew
Of Thy redeeming grace;
Thy presence, real to us, yet few;
We see Thy beauteous face.
Now let Thy blessing leap abroad
Reviving sons of light;
Many shall praise their new-found Lord,
The God of their delight.
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”
Song of Solomon 2:1 (C.M. Southwell)
Belovèd of the Throne on High,
The Everlasting Son,
Thou gavest Him to bring us nigh:
Salvation for us won.
The Rose of Sharon is Thy name,
So gentle and so fair:
Thy tender fragrance is the fame
For every saint to share.
The lily of the valley fair
Has found a resting place.
My heart a throne to One so meek
Who tells of truth and grace.
Thine is the Morning Star so bright
That tells the heavens above,
The wonders of the Prince of Light,
His mercy and His love.
Jerusalem, awake to see
His majesty divine;
The King of Love, whose agony
Hath made Him ever mine.
Reluctant hearts O Lord forgive,
And bring us to our King;
Revive us now, that we may live,
Thy praises ever sing.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me.”
Acts 1:8 (88.88.88. St. Catherine)
Blest Holy Spirit, Breath Divine,
We thank Thee for Thy work sublime
In bringing sinners to the place,
To see the riches of God’s grace;
The cleansing blood, amazing flow,
When Jesus Christ died here below.
Thy work reveals and shows our need,
Opens our eyes to sin’s foul deed;
Swiftly repairs us to God’s side,
And, finding there, we can abide,
With full forgiveness, blessèd peace –
Glory to God and grace increase.
Thou art the One who sanctifies,
Pointing which path before us lies
Ordained of God, that we should walk,
Enabled by Thy wondrous work –
A path devoid of sin and lust,
A path of holiness and trust.
O Paraclete, Thy blessèd gift
Enabled men, with power so swift,
To preach the Word of God with sign,
And for this now our hearts repine.
Hear us, we plead, with unction sweet
Baptize Thy saints, Thy promise meet.
‘Revive Thy work’ is all our cry,
Grant Pentecostal waves of joy:
A wondrous sight when men believe,
Constrained of God for sin to grieve.
Spirit Divine, with wind and flame,
Thine influence spread, in Jesus’ name.
Vernon Higham Hymns C
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14 (C.M. St. Fulbert)
Come let us praise that Holy Name,
Loved and exalted high!
The name above all men and fame,
That brings salvation nigh.
We are the people of His choice,
Called by His holy name.
Help us to listen to His voice
That takes away our shame.
Humble us now to pray and seek,
The beauty of Thy face;
Grant that we ever shall be meek,
Never Thy truth deface.
Turn us away from wicked ways,
O Lord, we now implore;
Come to us quickly, with us stay,
That we may Thee adore.
The land is healed when Thou dost touch
Thy people with Thy hand;
Come quickly, Lord, our need is such,
The grip of sin disband.
Happy the people who enjoy
The precious presence sweet;
Happy the land that does employ
Its days Thy name to greet.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5 v.2 (Irregular: Tua Bethlem Dref)
Welsh Carol ‘Deuwch I Fethlehem Dref’ by William Evans (1883-1968)
Translation: W. Vernon Higham (b.1926)
Come to Beth’lem town
Journey of renown,
To behold the One.
Joining many,
Peasants happy,
On the pathway,
To the crib.
Now the Christ to seek,
Full heart greets the meek,
Kneeling at His feet.
Mary mother low,
Mighty Word bestow,
On the hay below,
Gifts arriving,
Love adoring,
Gold reflecting
‘Incense, myrrh.
Come to Beth’lem town
Journey of renown,
To behold the One.
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (D.C.M. Seraph)
Comfort our hearts, our strength renew,
And give us power to stand;
Our length of days with grace endue,
And guide us by Thy hand.
When we are faint and full of fear
And Satan presses sore,
We know our Lord will always hear
And aid us from His store.
Thou dost revive all them that wait
Upon the Lord of life;
The grace of eagles is their flight,
Surmounting every strife.
For Thou dost give the power to run
The race before us planned;
A steadfast walk now has begun,
A way Thou dost demand.
Have we not known, have we not seen
Thy pleasant, glorious reign?
The young men falter, faint and fall,
For all their strength is vain.
Thou Lord of all the earth and sky,
Supreme in all Thy ways,
Our Great Defender, hear our cry,
And guide us all our days.
“Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
Isaiah 6:5 (64.64.66.64. Glanhafren or Builth)