The hymn we study this weekend was written by Timothy Dwight, a Reformed pastor and teacher at the time of the founding of our country. He was the grandson of revivalist, Jonathan Edwards, and a scholar by his own right. He was known by George Washington, and the President of Yale University.
This is the only hymn that we have by Dwight in our hymnal, and sadly, some of the greater verses have been dropped out of other hymnals to make in more palatable to modern sensitivities (notably verses 3 and 6).
It is found in the "Communion of Saints" section of our hymnal and is full of Biblical imagery for the church. The church, or the communion of saints, all believers, is referred to as "her" based on the picture of the church as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5). The hymn is a reminder that every Christian is a part of the whole of God's church. We are connected, not only to God, but also to one another. Because of this we join together in prayer and praise and encourage and support one another with our prayers as well as support. It is also through the visible church that the LORD imparts His gifts to His people through the "blest communion" and the Word by which God make rich promises to us of forgiveness and life, and in response we make promises to Him to be faithful to Him and in our use of His gifts. We dare not abuse His altar either by neglect or by aggression against Him or His people.
The hymn points us to Jesus as our Redeemer, as True God, our Savior and the victory He has secured for us over our enemies. So we declare His word of Truth in confidence of His return on the Last Day and our joyful reunion with Him and all His people for eternity!
Isaiah says “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). As sure as we are that God’s Word of Truth will last, we can also be certain that the church will finally inherit the eternal life Jesus came to win.
Join us this weekend as join together with our fellow believers to rejoice in God's gift of the CHURCH, both the fellowship that we have with Him through His Word and Sacraments, and the fellowship that He had created between believers united in faith and confession. What great blessings are ours!
May the LORD bless your hymns of praise and thanksgiving to the True God this weekend!
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