Saturday, March 20, 2010

THE PSALMS, HYMNS AND SONG POLL

In our family we like polls. My brother and I have spent hour and days, trying to decide which are the hundred best pop melodies. When Gunnar first created our home site, we interviewed family members to find the best books, songs e.t.c.
http://home.online.no/~jackobse/elise/alltime/retrodem.htm
The other night, as we spoke on the phone, my brother challenged me to invite my blog readers, family blog readers included, to decide which are the psalms, hymns or spiritual songs, meaning the most to you.
We'll come back with a top 20 list before Easter.
If you don't have a blog account, you can post under anonymous and sign the name in the post.
I do hope you answer the call.
Songs and music play such a great role in all aspects of our lives. Wouldn't it be a nice thing to share?

23 comments:

Felisol said...

My votes are as follows.
1. The Hallelujah Choir by G.F. Handel
2.He the pearly gate will open.Words Fredrick A. Blom,
3.Gregorian mass song
4.Old rugged cross.
5.Cantata and fugue in D minor J. S. Bach
6.Go Down Moses with Louis Armsrtong
7.Silent Night
8.Every Grain Of Sand Bob Dylan
9.David's 121 st Psalm.
10.Missa Creola

John Cowart said...

For a real toe-tapper, I don't think you can beat "Once To Every Man And Nation".
Other than that, they're all just songs.

Anonymous said...

1. Abide with me
2. Amazing grace
3. Old rugged cross

If I'm allowed, I'd like to add a few more to my list later.

Kel

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This is a fun poll Felisol! There are so many that I love, some of them are on your list. Here are a few:

1. Give me Jesus by Fernando Ortega
2.All my Tears & Be Still My Soul by Selah
3. And Can it Be
4. Blessed Assurance
5. The Love of God
and about 10,000 more!! I love music. It speaks to my heart more quickly than words sometimes.

It will be fun to check back here and see what others are listed.

Happy Sunday!

Sonja

Meg said...

In no particular order (can't make up my mind)

U2 - Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.

Bob Dylan - Every Grain of Sand.

En rose er utsprunget (always gives me goosebumps)

Oh, Night Divine (if sung right it makes me cry)

Coldaplay - Fix You (I know this isn't meant to be a spiritual song, but it holds a spiritual meaning to me. It's a song about that no matter how dark and hopeless your life can seem, someone will always be there for you, show you your way home, and give you that fire which burns from within.)

As for psalms I've always had a thing for David's 121 st Psalm. I have to mention this verse I got from a good friend for my birthday.
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Felisol said...

Dear brother Kel,
you may add so many you like.
<3 Fel

Felisol said...

I goes I will be the most eager partaker.
I cannot believe I left out
BLESSED ASSURANCE

Serina; your choices are so lovely and mighty.
They brought tears to my eyes. So very much you.

Amrita said...

I will think about it and let you know Felisol. I don 't want to answer in a hurry

Pete said...

Jesus take me as I am
Father God I wonder
Shine Jesus, Shine
Blessed be your name
From Heaven you came
When I survey
Led like a lamb
All heaven declares
Majesty (worship his Majesty)
"The Passion" - Adrian Snell (the whole album)

Terry said...

dear felisol..my most favourite hymn is "there is a fountain filled with blood" and that is my voet and that is the song i wanted to be sung at my funeral![not for a long time yet, i bope!]

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;

E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
'Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father's ears no other name but Thine

Terry said...

oh felisol..it is so nice to hear the dear voice of kel and the sweet one of princess serina!..love terry

i didn't know we were allowed more than vote..i will return tomorrow because it is three thirty in the morning!!

Amrita said...

1. My Tribute &
2. Throught it All both by Andre Crouch

3. By the Sea of Crystal Saints in glory Stand.

4. How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord.

5 Pei Yesu

6. Chopin

7. A lot of Indian music

Felisol said...

Dearestest Terry,
you can have so many hymns/songs you like. They are all welcome.
My intention is to listen through all unknown songs on YouTube.
Even though Christian songs have been important all of my life,
I have so much to learn and nourish my soul from.
Thank you for being a part of this treasure hunt.
From Felisol

Anonymous said...

My dear sister
Three more:
4 Leid, milde ljos (Lead, Kindly Light)
5 Oh Happy Day - Edwin Hawkins Singers
6 One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus (M. Wilkins/ K. Kristofferson)

Kel

Gunnar said...

Elise
Her is my list of hymns in no special order...

Å hur saligt å få vandra
I den stille klare morgen
By the Rivers of Babylon
Slavekoret Nabucco
Abide With Me
Amazing Grace
Turn! Turn! Turn! The Byrds
Morning Has Broken
Halleluja Händel
First We Take Manhattan
Ingen er så trygg for fare
Han er min sang og min glede
Landet där solen ej går ner
The Old Rugged Cross
Mercedes Benz
Ovan där/ Bye and Bye
Tryggare kan ingen vara

…until I realized that we were taught quite a few hymns at school (1957-1964). 43 psalms in all that I could pick out from my book of hymns: "Landstads reviderte salmebok". It was indoctrination, but for a purpose, only 12 years after World War Two. We were taught to march and exercise like soldiers.

Alltid freidig når du går
Dyp av nåde - er hos deg
Dype, stille, sterke, milde
Eg veit i himmerik ei borg
En rose er utsprungen
Et barn er født i Betlehem
Fager kveldssol smiler
Fagert er landet du oss gav
Gjør døren høi, gjør porten vid
Glade jul, hellige jul
Gud sign vår konge god
Gud signe vårt dyre fedreland
Hellig, Hellig, Hellig
Her kommer dine arme små
Herre Gud, ditt dyre navn og ære
Himmelske Fader, herleg utan like
I denne søte juletid
Ja vi elsker dette landet
Jeg er så glad hver julekveld
Jeg synger julekvad
Jesus, din søte forening
Jesus lever, graven brast
Kimer, I klokker
Kirken den er et gammelt hus
Kjærlighet fra Gud
Kling no, klokka
Kyrie Eleison! Gud Fader miskunne deg…
Leid, milde ljos
Lover Herren! Han er nær
Med Jesus vil eg fara
Naglet til et kors på jorden
No livnar det i lundar
Nærmere Deg, min Gud
O bli hos mig! Nu er det aftentid
Overmåde fullt av nåde
Påskemorgen slukker sorgen
Så ta da mine hender
Ungdommens frelser
Velt alle dine veie
Vår Gud han er så fast en borg
Å leva, det er å elska
Å salige stund uten like

Gunnar

Kel said...

A new number one:
Slave Chorus from Nabucco.
The best piece of music regardless of genre imho. Even surpasses Nights in White Satin.
Thanks for reminding me, Gunnar.

Crown of Beauty said...

For me, the list is endless, Felisol, so even if I come up with a few titles, they still do not represent what I would call my favorites.

But here they are:

HANDEL - Hallelujah Chorus
Andreas Boccelli - The Prayer
Matt Redman - Blessed be the Name

Hymns:
Be Still My Soul
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Be Thou My Vision

Psalms:
Psalm 16
Psalm 18
Psalm 91
Psalm 121

I could go on forever...

THanks Felisol this was fun!

Love
Lidj

Terry said...

dear felisol...isn't it nice!
your whole family is here!
now my bestest, you will have to put in mom and dad ljung's and aunt lilly's favourite hymns in here.
how nice would that be?...even though dad ljung and aunt lilly are singing THEIR favourite hymns at the feet of the lord jesus!.......love terry

Felisol said...

These have been the finest blogging days.
Kind of a Lent work, giving so much back. We have been wandering in the treasures of gospel song and hymns for a week.
I cannot think of a better way to use my time.
I use my privilege to be inspired by the incoming votes.
The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco must have a vote.
Gunnar,Serina and I had one of our finest moments high up on the Arena of Verona while the chorous was sung da capo under the full moon.
The sang is a paraphrase over Psalm 137 in the Book of Psalms.

Psalms Chapter 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 Upon the willows in the midst thereof we hanged up our harps.
3 For there they that led us captive asked of us words of song, and our tormentors asked of us mirth: {N}
'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.'
4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; {N}
if I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; {N}
who said: 'Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.'
8 O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed; {N}
happy shall he be, that repayeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock. {P}

Terry said...

well felisol..here is my second favourite hymn.

Only A Sinner Saved By Grace

Naught have I gotten but what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it and I have believed;
Boasting excluded, pride I abase;
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

Only a sinner saved by grace!
Only a sinner saved by grace!
This is my story, to God be the glory,
I'm only a sinner saved by grace!

Once I was foolish, and sinned ruled my heart,
Causing my footsteps from God to depart;
Jesus hath found me, happy my case;
I now am a sinner saved by grace!

Tears unavailing, no merit had I;
Mercy had saved me, or else I must die;
Sin had alarmed me, fearing God's face;
But now I'm a sinner saved by grace!

Suffer a sinner whose heart overflows,
Loving his Saviour to tell what he knows;
Once more to tell it would I embrace—
I now am a sinner saved by grace!


and here is the third,
How Much I Owe

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o’er life’s finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see Thee as Thou art,
Love Thee with unsinning heart,
Then Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

When the praise of Heav’n I hear,
Loud as thunders to the ear,
Loud as many waters’ noise,
Sweet as harp’s melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe.

Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let Thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Spirit’s help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight’s gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.


When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I’m captive led;
Oft I fall—but still arise—
The Spirit comes—the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.

Oft the nights of sorrow reign—
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns—
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.

felisol, this post of yours has brought such joy to my heart....love terry

Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Terry said...

dear felisol...dad golden and his mother before him liked "the old rugged cross"...i will ask mom golden tomorrow what her favourite is, but i kind of suspect it is one written by ira stanphill,

there's room at the cross for you.

ROOM AT THE CROSS FOR YOU
(Ira F. Stanphill) (1946)

Recorded by:
The Cathedrals; Randy Travis.

The cross upon which Jesus died,
Is a shelter in which we can hide;
And its grace so free is sufficient for me,
And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea

There's room at the cross for you,
There's room at the cross for you,
Tho millions have come, There's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

Tho millions have found Him a friend,
And have turned from the sins they have sinned,
The Savior still waits to open the gates
And welcomes a sinner before it's too late.

There's room at the cross for you,
There's room at the cross for you,
Tho millions have come, There's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you.

The hand of my Savior is strong,
And the love of my Savior is long;
Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain,
The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.

There's room at the cross for you,
There's room at the cross for you,
Tho millions have come, There's still room for one
Yes, there's room at the cross for you

oh that dad golden would see what his mother before him saw that the old rugged cross made room at the cross for him!
gramma golden was saved at the age of 72.

Meg said...

I have to ad two norwegian psalms, Litlefuglen and Eg veit i himmelrik ei borg.

Kel said...

Three negro spirituals to complete my top 10:
8 Swing Low Sweet Chariot
9 Nobody Knows
10 Let My People Go