Praise Him! Praise Him!

So for the next four months, Fridays on this blog will be "Fanny Friday." I am starting with the first Fanny Crosby hymn in The Celebration Hymnal, my favorite hymnal, and I'll posting a video of myself singing and playing every one of her hymns in the order they appear there.



1. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.
* Refrain:
Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
2. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
3. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong.

I have so many memories of singing this song at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church in Arab, Alabama where I grew up. Not to mention leading it at other churches where I have worked, visited, and worshiped. It is one of those songs that I would still be singing in my head long after the sermon was over, every head bowed, every eye closed, except mine, the car ride home, the roast with mashed potatoes, carrots and onions, fried okra, cornbread, tea, and coconut pie, all the way into school the next week.

Her songs are not only lyrically beautiful, uplifting, and just amazing, they have that staying power. So memorable, so singable, just pure Fanny, pure praise, pure joy. That is what this song is to me. No, it may not be the way we talk today, but maybe that is our problem, not Fanny's.