Continuing my project of setting John Newton and William Cowper’s Olney Hymns to new music, here is my latest, a hymn which Newton called “That Rock Was Christ”, after 1 Corinthians 10:4. Newton’s words are, as always, beautiful, verging on heartbreaking. I have tried to capture them with my tune. It is perhaps the recordingContinue reading “Hymn of the Rock”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Theology Part 3: Pursuance
Go and do likewise; what you have seen, now do, and do with joy, and what you have heard once whispered in your ear, proclaim it from the rooftops; now shout the truth that rings in your ears; proclaim in word and deed and in the beat of your changed, now Continue reading “Theology Part 3: Pursuance”
“For he taught them as one who had authority”
The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing. (Archilochus) The authority of the fox runs in many directions; centrifugal, it leaves the burrow with cunning, while the hedgehog burrows centripetally, knowing one thing and knowing it deep. And the scribes and the Pharisees, burrowing law, are amazed to see one whoContinue reading ““For he taught them as one who had authority””
Nature Boy
They say he wandered very far And left his home behind; They say he gave up kings for fools And land for tides and sea. They say he wandered ‘til he found A tree to make his throne And searched for friends who would betray And lost ones who would run. They sayContinue reading “Nature Boy”
Quatrain
Eternity opens its arms to receive me: It holds me within its all-hoping delight; And I, safely carried by grace, rich, surrounding, Am strengthened and stored in the brightness of Christ.
I Saw Him Standing
To spend a moment longer with Ann Griffiths’ poetry, I’ve set my favourite of her poems to music. Apologies for the bad quality of the recording and my singing. I hope that the music can help express some of the beauty of her words. If not, here they are to read on their own! IContinue reading “I Saw Him Standing”
Ann Griffiths: The Beloved on the Sacred Mountain
To conclude my month of working with the poetry of Ann Griffiths, here is an essay reflecting on her writing. I am wary of adding my ill-informed contribution to the little available about her online, but I hope that it might still open her work up to those who are interested; she truly is worthContinue reading “Ann Griffiths: The Beloved on the Sacred Mountain”
Since setting minds on things above is hard
Since setting minds on things above is hard, The mind always diverting to the place Of greatest comfort, fearing open space; Since often thoughts break off in weary shards And off we go, empty, scanning the yard Of day’s vacuum confusions, seeking peace But scared to look directly at His face: Let’s look instead uponContinue reading “Since setting minds on things above is hard”
Ripped in two by self, desire (After Ann Griffiths’ “Since I am corruptly fallen”)
Another of 18th-century Welsh poet Ann Griffiths’ beautiful prayers is the powerful “Since I am corruptly fallen”, an expression both of the intensity of human sin and the glory of God’s grace. I’ve included the original poem, as translated by A.Z. Foreman, at the end of this post. In my own poem, I have triedContinue reading “Ripped in two by self, desire (After Ann Griffiths’ “Since I am corruptly fallen”)”
Song of the Pierced Veil (After Ann Griffiths’ “Hymn for the Mercy Seat”)
My poems based on the work of Welsh poet Ann Griffiths have been a bit slow in coming out this month, I’m afraid. It’s been a particularly busy time at work and in my studies, giving me many other things to occupy my time apart from writing poetry. But it’s time to catch up! Continue reading “Song of the Pierced Veil (After Ann Griffiths’ “Hymn for the Mercy Seat”)”
The Consolations of Writing 