We’re not following Advent as a specific season at mgpc, but I have come to appreciate the benefit of balancing the ubiquitous and unavoidable exposure to sentimental expressions of the birth of Jesus to which Christians are exposed at this time of year with songs and material which ground Jesus first coming in redemptive history, and which also anticipate His second coming. Yeah, I know: that sounds like Advent; but there’s no candles.
Timothy Dudley-Smith”s Tell Out My Soul is a wonderful paraphrase of Mary’s song of praise, composed in response to the news of her pregnancy with the baby Jesus and recorded in chapter 1 of Luke’s gospel.
Set to Walter Greatorex’s stirring tune, Woodlands, it is a wonderful modern hymn, and a very helpful way to express our own faith in the eternal saving promises of God.
The lyrics:
1
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord:
unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Savior shall my heart rejoice.
2
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name:
make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name the Lord, the Mighty One.
3
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:
pow’rs and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4
Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word:
firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and forevermore!
Timothy Dudley-Smith
Text © 1962. Renewal 1990, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved.
Here’s a rendition from Songs Of Praise.
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