New Song: "Grateful Praise" (Patriotic Hymn)

This is an updated version of one of my old songs (which can be found under the title "O God, Who Watches All Our Ways"), now set to a new tune. It aims to be a patriotic hymn inspired by a biblical vision of citizenship.

Disclosure: The lyrics and the lyric video are entirely my own original work, and I used online music generation tools for the vocals and instrumentation on the audio track. I want to support real artists and musicians, so I've chosen not to monetize or promote generative audio— I will not put it on any streaming platforms, and the YouTube video is unlisted rather than public. It is only accessible here, via my personal blog, as a kind of demo: a sample of what my lyrics might sound like when performed with full instrumentation. It is shared in this limited fashion for my own local parishioners and for devoted readers of my poetry. If you're a musician interested in partnering on a project like this, I'd love to hear from you. (thepeaceandthepassion@gmail.com)

New Song: "O Come, Ye Weary"

An updated version of a song I wrote a few years ago, set to a new tune. (You can find the older version on my Songs page, as "Hymn for the Weak and Weary".)

Disclosure: The lyrics and the lyric video are entirely my own original work, and I used online music generation tools for the vocals and instrumentation on the audio track. I want to support real artists and musicians, so I've chosen not to monetize or promote generative audio— I will not put it on any streaming platforms, and the YouTube video is unlisted rather than public. It is only accessible here, via my personal blog, as a kind of demo: a sample of what my lyrics might sound like when performed with full instrumentation. It is shared in this limited fashion for my own local parishioners and for devoted readers of my poetry. If you're a musician interested in partnering on a project like this, I'd love to hear from you. (thepeaceandthepassion@gmail.com)

New Song: "One Day at a Time" (Serenity Prayer)

This is an updated version of a song I wrote years ago, based on the classic "Serenity Prayer," and now set to a new tune. 

Disclosure: The lyrics and the lyric video are entirely my own original work. But since I don't have access to collaborating musicians for production, I've used online music generation tools for the vocals and instrumentation on this audio track. I want to support real artists and musicians, so I've chosen not to monetize or promote AI-assisted audio like this— I will not put it on any streaming platforms, and the YouTube video is unlisted rather than public. It is only accessible here, via my personal blog, as a kind of demo: a sample of what my lyrics might sound like when performed with full instrumentation. It is shared in this limited fashion for my own local parishioners and for devoted readers of my poetry. If you're a musician interested in partnering on a project like this, I'd love to hear from you. (thepeaceandthepassion@gmail.com)

One Day at a Time (Serenity Prayer)

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I can't change; 

And courage to change the things I can 

If it lies in my power today. 

And over both of these virtues, 

Grant the wisdom that I will need 

To know the difference between the two, 

When striving or when I'm at peace. 

[Chorus] 

I'm living my life one day at a time, 

Finding joy in each moment God gives. 

I'm taking this world as Jesus did; 

I'll live as he taught me to live. 

God grant me grace, that I'd accept 

The hard road as a path to peace; 

And though this world is full of sin, 

Let me trust in your sovereignty: 

For you will make all things turn right 

As I surrender to your will; 

To be happy here, and one day soon 

With your endless joy to be filled. 

[Chorus] 

God's grace for every day, 

Amen, let it be. 

God's grace in all my ways, 

Amen, let it be. 

[Chorus x2] 

Another Original Song: "Hosanna to Our King"

 

This is a reworked version a Palm Sunday song I wrote a few years ago. Enjoy!

Hosanna to Our King

Lift up your heads, O gates!

Be lifted up, O doors!

The King of Glory shall come in, 

So hail your mighty Lord!

[Chorus] 

Sing hosanna amen, hosanna amen, 

Let the praises ring! 

Bless the name of the One who reigns,

Hosanna to our King!

So sound out endless praise,

For the Son of David reigns!

All honor, strength, and majesty

Be unto his great name! 

[Chorus]

[Bridge] 

Let the mountains rejoice 

And the rocks cry out;

Let the trees clap their hands 

And the people shout:

For the King is coming! 

The King is coming! 

The King is coming to reign! 

So let hosannas ring!

All praise to Christ our Lord! 

May he be always, everywhere, 

By everyone adored. 

[Chorus]

Disclosure: The lyrics and the lyric video are entirely my own original work. But since I don't have access to collaborating musicians for production, I've used online music generation tools for the vocals and instrumentation on this audio track. I want to support real artists and musicians, so I've chosen not to monetize or promote AI-assisted audio like this— I will not put it on any streaming platforms, and the YouTube video is unlisted rather than public. It is only accessible here, via my personal blog, as a kind of demo: a sample of what my lyrics might sound like when performed with full instrumentation. It is shared in this limited fashion for my own local parishioners and for devoted readers of my poetry. If you're a musician interested in partnering on a project like this, I'd love to hear from you. (thepeaceandthepassion@gmail.com)

New Song: "Find Rest in Jesus"

This song, "Find Rest in Jesus," draws on the frequent heart-cries of the Psalms, along with verses like Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7.

Find Rest in Jesus

Find rest, my soul, in Jesus

Let Christ be your reprieve

Lean on his consolation 

And dwell within his peace

[Chorus] 

And the grace of God 

Will embrace your heart 

And give you peace again

Hallelujah

Lay down your fears before him

These worries that you bear

Pour out your pain to Jesus

Your cares to One who cares

[Chorus] 

Receive his boundless mercy

For you belong to him

Seek out his place of refuge

Find rest, and enter in

[Chorus]

Disclosure: The lyrics and the lyric video are entirely my own original work. But since I don't have access to collaborating musicians for production, I've used online music generation tools for the vocals and instrumentation on this audio track. I want to support real artists and musicians, so I've chosen not to monetize or promote AI-assisted audio like this— I will not put it on any streaming platforms, and the YouTube video is unlisted rather than public. It is only accessible here, via my personal blog, as a kind of demo: a sample of what my lyrics might sound like when performed with full instrumentation. It is shared in this limited fashion mainly just for my own local parishioners and for devoted readers of my poetry, rather than pushed out for wider circulation. If you're a musician interested in partnering on a project like this, I'd love to hear from you. (thepeaceandthepassion@gmail.com)

New Book Release!

My new book comes out today! It continues my contributions to historical missiology (begun with my last book, Missionary Motivations), and looking this time at the major movements in both hymns and missions that developed in the 18th century. This book makes the case that a revolution in hymnody directly paved the way for the launch of the great Protestant mission movement. I'm posting links below to the book's page from both my publisher and Amazon, as well as a video interview about the book in case you're interested.

Book page on the publisher's website (click here)

Amazon.com book page (click here)

Hymn of the Week: We Will Follow the Way

This week's song has the rare distinction of having me both as lyricist and composer (and, unlike my previous forays into musical composition, this one might not be all that bad). The verses are metered according to standard hymn settings (8.6.8.6), but the chorus is a bit more modern-worship in its style. It was inspired by the original name for Christianity, as found in the book of Acts: "the Way." I hope you like it!

We Will Follow the Way

Our Lord has taught us how to walk
According to his way;
To live as children of the light,
In holiness and grace.

     (Chorus):
     (So/Yes) We will follow the Way!
     We will follow the Way he gave us;
     We will follow the Way of our Savior forever!
                    (x2)

We are the servants of the King;
We love to do his will;
To follow where he beckons us,
And all his words fulfill.

     (Chorus)

Though all the earth would turn our hearts,
To lead our steps astray,
We'll never cease to walk along
Our Savior's narrow way.

     (Chorus)

When trials rise to threaten us,
When storms around us blow,
We'll stand in strength in Jesus' name,
And never lose our hope.

     (Chorus)

When worlds crumble to the dust
Upon the final day,
We'll not regret we lived to walk
Along our Master's way.

     (Chorus)

Matthew Burden · We Will Follow the Way

Hymn of the Week: God Grant Me the Serenity

I've been toying for awhile with the idea of finding a hymn tune that I could pair with the text of the famous "Serenity Prayer." This is my first stab at an attempt, using the tune of the old hymn "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go." The lyrics below are derived from the full text of the prayer; aside from a few tweaks and a touch of poetic license, none are are my own invention. The prayer is most commonly known in a very simple form, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference," but that's really only half (or less) of the full version as written by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the early 20th century. The prayer is beloved both for its depth of insight and its pithiness, and even if I may not have captured the 
full extent of either element here, it made 
for a fun experiment in hymnography.

God Grant Me the Serenity

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I can't change;
Yet grant me courage to act where I
Should actively work for change.
And over both of these virtues, grant
The wisdom that I will need
To know the difference between the two,
When striving or when I'm at peace.

     (Chorus):
     I'm living my life one day at a time,
     Finding joy in each moment God gives.
     I'm taking this world as Jesus did;
     I'll live as he taught me to live.

God grant me grace, that I'd accept
Hardships as your paths to peace;
That though this world is wracked by sin, 
I'd trust in your sovereignty:
That you would make all these things turn right,
If I submit to your will;
Then happy I'd be in this life and the next,
With your bold serenity filled.

     (Chorus)

Matthew Burden · God Grant Me the Serenity

Hymn of the Week: Gloria Patri

The "Gloria Patri" (Glory be to the Father) is one of the most ancient songs of the Christian tradition. It has been set to many different wordings and tunes throughout the ages. Here's my own offering, somewhat less solemn than is traditional for the piece. The stanzas of the song can be moved about or repeated as desired.

Gloria Patri

Glory to the Father, glory, glory,
Glory to the Son, all glory, glory,
Glory to the Spirit, glory, glory,
Praise forevermore!

Glory to the Father, glory, glory,
Glory to the Son, all glory, glory,
Glory to the Spirit, glory, glory,
Praise forevermore!

As it was in the beginning,
And as it is today,
As it was and is and will be ever,
World without end!

Glory to the Father, glory, glory,
Glory to the Son, all glory, glory,
Glory to the Spirit, glory, glory,
Praise forevermore!

As it was in the beginning, 
And as it is today,
As it was and is and will be ever,
Amen, amen!

Matthew Burden · Gloria Patri

Hymn of the Week: My Highest Act of Worship

This week's hymn is a prayer of worship modeled on Paul's exhortation in Romans 12 to present ourselves as "living sacrifices." Each verse focuses on a particular aspect of our lives that we can offer up to God. It's written to the tune of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

My Highest Act of Worship

Lord, I bring you all my worship;
Oh, be glorified in me!
All my praise and adoration
Will be yours eternally.

     (Chorus:)
     So I humbly bring the off'ring
     Of this living sacrifice:
     May my highest act of worship
     Be the way I live my life.

Lord, I bring you all my talents,
Every service I can give:
All the gifts that you have granted
To your work I freely give.

     (Chorus)

Lord, I bring you all my heartaches,
All the brokenness I bear.
You give strength amid my weakness;
May you grant your healing there.

     (Chorus)

Lord, I bring you all my triumphs,
Every great and noble deed:
May these virtues crown the glory
Of your craftsmanship in me.

     (Chorus)

Lord, I bring you all my failures;
All my sins I'm laying down.
In the ashes of repentance,
May your endless grace abound.

     (Chorus)

[Verse 1 & chorus may be repeated as an optional ending if desired]

Matthew Burden · My Highest Act of Worship

Hymn of the Week: God of Glory, God of Mercy

This week's hymn is an anthem of praise, as well as a prayer for God's glory and goodness to become ever more manifest in our lives. It's written to the tune of "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy."

God of Glory, God of Mercy

God of glory, God of mercy,
We, your children, sing your praise!
You are great and reign forever,
Awesome in your mighty ways!

We delight in all your goodness,
Abba and Ancient of Days!
You are King and you are Father,
So we give both love and praise!

Turn our hearts to gaze upon you,
That our souls might mirrors be,
Shining bright with all your beauty,
Showing Christ to all we meet.

Through us, Lord, dispense the fragrance
Of your great, triumphant march;
May the sweetness of your mercy
Pour abundant from our hearts.

So in words and song we praise you,
God and Savior, Father, King!
Now let deeds resound our worship:
Make our lives our offering!

Matthew Burden · God of Glory, God of Mercy

Hymn of the Week: The Hunting Psalm

This week's offering is an original creation, but it's a bit of an oddity that I've kept in my back pocket for a week in which I had no time to compose (and secretly, perhaps, I hoped that I would never have to use it). Anyway, that was this week--between illness, Zoom meetings, church administration, and video editing of lockdown-era church services, my time has evaporated quickly. So the hymn you get is one that I wrote earlier this year, and the only one I've ever done based on a personal request. A dear friend, who is something of a nature lover and a huntsman, wanted a hymn to a simple tune (something one could sing to a single drumbeat in the woods, he said) reflecting Scripture's themes of God's love for animal creation and our thankfulness for his provision (and he provided three pages worth of Bible verses for reference). So here's a hymn that's likely not fit for singing in a church setting, but might work around a campfire on a hunting trip. The music is based on a Caedmon's Call song (itself inspired by traditional Indian music), the Dalit Hymn. As the tune is likely copyrighted, I've chosen not to post it via Soundcloud, but only as a non-shareable audio file fixed in this post. Anyway, hope you enjoy it!

The Hunting Psalm

Part 1 - Creation

God made the world and declared it good
(Praise, O my soul, God most high!)
He gave us plants and meat for our food
(Praise, O my soul, God most high!)

God made the fish,
God made the birds,
All living things
Filling our world!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrain as transition)

God made a covenant with all mankind
(Praise, O my soul, God most high!)
And with living things of every kind
(Praise, O my soul, God most high!)

God cares for us,
God cares for them,
So also then
We care for them!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrains and/or choruses as desired)

Part 2 - Request for food

Great is the Lord and vast is his strength
(He gives us all that we need)
Ask of his bounty, and give him thanks
(He gives us all that we need)

Incline your ear,
Lord, to our prayer:
Creator-King,
Answer our prayer!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrain as transition)

Every creature looks unto him
(He gives us all that we need)
He, in his mercy, feeds all of them
(He gives us all that we need)

Provide us, Lord,
Provide us, Lord,
With what we need
Provide us, Lord!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrains and/or choruses as desired)

Part 3 - Thanksgiving after Food

You gave us food and you met our need
(Lord, we give thanks to your name)
Just as you feed all your living things
(Lord, we give thanks to your name)

Praise, O my soul
Your God and king:
In thankfulness,
Worship and sing!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrain as transition)

You’re our Creator, our dwelling-place
(Lord, we give thanks to your name)
Through all the ages we render praise
(Lord, we give thanks to your name)

Great is the Lord,
Great is the Lord,
We testify:
Great is the Lord!
     (Repeat)

(Optional: repeat verse refrains and/or choruses as desired)

Hymn of the Week: The Suffering Song

During this Covid-19 pandemic, I've been leading online Bible studies for my church family, looking at some of the passages that speak to the ways in which God's people respond to times of trial and suffering. Today's hymn contains some of the themes that have emerged from those studies, drawn from Lamentations 3:21-23, James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-5, and Romans 8:35-39. It's set to the tune of the old hymn "O Jesus, I Have Promised." 

The Suffering Song

O Lord, when all around me
Are trials of all kinds,
This comfort I will cling to,
And this I call to mind:
Because of your great love, Lord,
We all are held secure--
Each day you pour out mercies;
Your faithfulness endures.

Let all my tribulations
Be counted as pure joy,
For though in sorrow's valley,
In this I can rejoice:
My suffering was shared by
My Lord upon the cross;
Yes, I am held by Jesus,
Who knows my pain and loss.

So on the road of trials
And in the vale of woe,
As perseverance rises,
May I be led to hope.
For though the world may crumble,
And all my loves be lost,
Still I will always cling to
The mighty love of God.

There's nothing in the heavens
Or on the earth below
Can ever separate us
From this triumphant hope:
That Jesus' love is endless,
Unshakable, and free,
And we will find our rest in
His love eternally.

Hymn of the Week: Every Knee Will Bow

This week's hymn is an anthem of praise, reflecting on the fact that Christ reigns over all things, even in the midst of difficult times. It borrows themes from Philippians 2 and Psalm 46, and it's set to the tune of "The Lily of the Valley."

Every Knee Will Bow

We exalt our Savior, Jesus, the King above all kings,
And we offer all our praise up to his name!
When in low times or triumphs, in victory or pain,
There is nothing that can shake our Savior's reign.
In blessings and in trials, whatever comes our way,
We rest on the foundation of his grace.

     (Chorus):
     Every knee will bow in heaven and here upon the earth,
     And every tongue declare that Jesus reigns!

Though the nations quake and tremble, though all the earth gives way,
God remains our refuge and our strength always;
He's the Alpha and Omega, the Fountainhead of Grace,
Our Redeemer and the Ancient of all Days!
When trials come about us, we'll trust his mighty Word;
When sorrow strikes us, still we'll sing his praise.

     (Chorus)

We are grateful for his blessings, the favor of his reign,
For the sweetness of his mercy and his grace;
In the brightness of his glory, which shines on all our ways,
We pour blessings back upon his precious name.
And one day we shall see him, our King whom we adore,
Forever we'll encircle him in praise.

     (Chorus)

Matthew Burden · Every Knee Will Bow

Hymn of the Week: The Cross and the Tomb

This week's offering is an Easter hymn, reflecting on what Christ has done for us in his death and resurrection. It's set to the tune of "O Worship the King." 

The Cross and the Tomb

The cross and the tomb, where Jesus has died,
And where, by great pow'r, was raised to new life--
They stand as the testaments of our God's grace,
So lift up your voice and proclaim Jesus' praise!

Behold now the place where Jesus was laid:
The stone's rolled away; our Lord has been raised!
In mercy he died so that sinners might live,
So now to our risen Lord praises we give!

For us Jesus died, for us he arose,
For us he has vanquished all of our foes:
For death, it is beaten, the grave is bereft;
The King to his throne in all splendor ascends!

Give glory to God, all nations on earth,
For by Jesus' death we all have rebirth:
To any who come to the Savior in faith,
He'll grant you his favor and lavish his grace.

Matthew Burden · The Cross and the Tomb

Hymn of the Week: Thank You, Jesus, for Your Mercy

In taking Holy Week off from blogging, I wasn't able to write any new hymns relating to the events of Good Friday or Easter Sunday. So here's a belated hymn of the cross, expressing gratitude to Christ for what he did there. It's written to the familiar tune of "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus."

Thank You, Jesus, for Your Mercy

When I look upon the mountain

Of my Lord's surpassing grace,

Where he gave his life up for me,

I am filled with grateful praise:

     (Chorus):

     Thank you, Jesus, for your mercy,

     Which you gave at such a cost;

     Thank you for your love and favor,

     Freely granted at the cross.

In the cross are all my glories,

Where my pardon Jesus bought,

Where his grace met my transgressions,

And my own salvation wrought.

     (Chorus)

All my life I give to Jesus,

All my days to him consign;

For he lavished me with mercy

And made life eternal mine!

     (Chorus)

Hymn of the Week: Hail to the King of Glory

This week I wrote a new Palm Sunday hymn, reflecting on the events of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The opening verse introduces the theme by using the language of Psalm 24:7-10. It's set to the tune "St Thomas," sometimes used for hymns like "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord" and "Rise Up, O Men of God."

Hail to the King of Glory

Lift up your heads, you gates!
Be lifted up, you doors!
The King of Glory shall come in,
So hail your mighty Lord!

Our Savior, Jesus, came
Riding on a donkey's foal;
In triumph he rode down the mount,
While crowds acclaimed their Lord.

Hosanna to our King!
The Son of David reigns!
All honor, strength, and majesty
Be unto his great name!

So let hosannas ring;
All praise to Christ our Lord!
May he be always, everywhere,
By everyone adored!

Hymn of the Week: Cast into the Depths

This week, I wrote a celebratory hymn about the forgiveness that we have in Christ. It's based on Micah 7:19--"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." The song is set to the tune of an old hymn called "We Have an Anchor" (which, incidentally, is a marvelous song in its own right, and perfectly fitting for the current time of crisis). 

Cast into the Depths

Come, you hurting ones! Come, all you forlorn!
Come and find rest in our forgiving Lord.
Bring him every wound, for he can restore;
Bring him all your sins, and he'll make you pure.

     (Chorus):
     Sing hallelujah forevermore!
     All praise to Christ, our redeeming Lord,
     For by his compassion, our sins are
     Cast into the depths, and recalled no more!

If you're bowed with sin, he will raise your head;
If you hungry are, he will be your bread;
If you thirst for peace, he's the overflow;
And when you feel hopeless, he will be your hope!

     (Chorus)

Though for all our sins we deserve his wrath,
Though we've wandered off from his loving path,
Yet by his great grace we are not condemned:
He has washed us clean and has called us friends!

     (Chorus)