Not having grown up in the church I was familiar with just a few hymns. When the Lord saved me I took on a new appreciation for hymns, the old, theologically rich hymns from the 1800's and before (yes I realize there are great hymns written in the last century and I'm not saying I'm not a fan). One hymn originally written by the great hymn writer John Newton, brought back into Christian mainstream popularity by Jars of Clay, has definitely become one of my favorite hymns.
"Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" is a call to worship, to respond to what God has revealed about Himself, His Word, and His Works. Newton shares in this hymn great truths about what the Lord attributes and what He has done.
Let us love and sing and wonder,
Let us praise the Savior’s Name!
He has hushed the law’s loud thunder,
He has quenched Mount Sinai’s flame.
He has washed us with His blood,
He has brought us nigh to God.
Let us love the Lord Who bought us,
Pitied us when enemies,
Called us by His grace, and taught us,
Gave us ears and gave us eyes:
He has washed us with His blood,
He presents our souls to God.
Let us sing, though fierce temptation
Threaten hard to bear us down!
For the Lord, our strong Salvation,
Holds in view the conqueror’s crown:
He Who washed us with His blood
Soon will bring us home to God.
Let us wonder; grace and justice
Join and point to mercy’s store;
When through grace in Christ our trust is,
Justice smiles and asks no more:
He Who washed us with His blood
Has secured our way to God.
Let us praise, and join the chorus
Of the saints enthroned on high;
Here they trusted Him before us,
Now their praises fill the sky:
“Thou hast washed us with Your blood;
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God!”
Hark! the Name of Jesus, sounded
Loud, from golden harps above!
Lord, we blush, and are confounded,
Faint our praises, cold our love!
Wash our souls and songs with blood,
For by Thee we come to God.
Below is a video put together with the Jars of Clay version of "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" as the background music.
