O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, LBW 559 & ELW 886
1 Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of my God and king, the triumphs of his grace!
2 My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of your name.
3 The name of Jesus charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease, sings music in the sinner's ears, brings life and health and peace.
4 He speaks, and list'ning to his voice, new life the dead receive; the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
5 Look unto him, your Savior own,
O fallen human race!
Look and be saved through faith alone, be justified by grace!
6 To God all glory, praise, and love be now and ever giv'n by saints below and saints above, the church in earth and heav'n.
Devotion
A hymn of praise to God is in order this Sunday for the gift of a loving mother and other women in our lives who have cared for us. Those who will spend Mother’s Day with Mom will express their thankfulness to her in many ways. For others, who can only remember a mother who has gone from this world, there are yet hearts full of gratitude.
It is appropriate to thank our God who gathers us “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”. God gave us mothers to do this. If our words of thankfulness seem inadequate, Charles Wesley’s great hymn “O for a Thousand Tongues to sing” comes to mind.
It is a great hymn of praise for a great gift. Hearts are lifted and spirits revived as we reflect on how God blesses us through parents. The next step after such speechless gratitude is to put our responsive love into action. Sharing God’s love and mother love with those around us is an act of sincere praise. “O for a thousand tongues to sing – with saints below and saints above.”
That is unexcelled hyperbole.
Prayer
Thank you God, for giving us mothers. Amen.