1, 2, … 4
Back in the 1700s and 1800s when many of the great hymns of the faith were written, the common pattern was for the writer to create 4 verses. For some reason in the last century, likely the decreased time allotted for singing and worship, the common pattern for song leaders was to sing verses 1, 2, and 4. In fact, if you know quiet a few hymns by heart, there’s a good chance you know 1 and 4 best, with 2 coming in third, then you probably couldn’t recite verse 3 to save your life.
I don’t know about you, but I often feel like Verse 3 in a hymn. The 4th stanza in a 3 stanza set.
Skip it. Why bother? Move over and go to the next one. Not as important. Not as much to say. Doesn’t quite fit. Not as good as the others. Just not as cool.
Ever feel that way? Ever have those moments? Days? Months?
When I do, when you do, let’s remember the God Who writes, sings, and leads every verse, including our own.
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” —Zephaniah 3:17 CEV
1 comment
Dave Woodruff January 21, 2015
Thank you, I have always felt a little sad to pick and choose which verses to sing. Each one tells part of the story the writer wanted to express, kind of like leaving out a chapter in a short story...