The Necessary Exercises to Obtain the Presence of the Present Christ Privately (2) ENJOYING THE HYMNS


	The Necessary Exercises to Obtain the Presence of the Present Christ Privately (2) Enjoying the Hymns Through the singing of hymns we can touch the person of Christ, be in the light concerning our condition and experience, and be attracted, strengthened and encouraged. Usually we regard the singing of hymns as a part of our meeting ritual. According to our concept, the Christian meeting should have a little music in it, therefore we sing some hymns to satisfy this need. When I was young, however, I memorized many of the hymns and sang them as I walked or as I rode my bicycle. When I was weak, there was a hymn that I could turn to. When I was happy, there was a song for my happiness. When I touched Christ, there was a hymn which gave utterance to what I enjoyed. At every stage of my Christian life there was a hymn which gave utterance to what I enjoyed. At every stage of my Christian life there was a hymn which most matched my experience and which was with me all the time. By singing a hymn you can touch the person of Christ. The singing of the right hymn at the right time can bring you to the Lord's presence. Furthermore, nothing can give voice to your condition or enlighten you as to your situation before the Lord quite like a spiritual hymn. We often come to the Lord and find ourselves short of the expressions which would give voice to what is within us. We tell the Lord over and over that we have sinned, that we are sinners. Certain hymns, however, could help us speak out our experiences and weaknesses. Furthermore, as we sing the hymns, we can be attracted, strengthened, and encouraged. The hymns firstly bring us to the Lord, secondly help take care of our shortage, and thirdly help strengthen us positively. A good hymn is written with several or all of the following items: Inspirations, experiences, expression with good narration and utterance, revelations, and truth What are the components of a good hymn? A good hymn should be composed with all, or at least several, of the following: A good hymn can be based on inspiration. A good hymn can be based on experiences. A good hymn should be written with apt expressions. A good hymn can be based on revelation. A good hymn can be based on truth. Enjoying the hymns by touching these elements will bring us into a fresh, deep, and profound presence of the Lord. Years ago we heard a message on "Christ is now." A brother got inspired and stood up and sang: O Christ is now, O Christ is now, O hallelujah, Christ is now! The song was inspired, but there was no experience, apt expressions, revelations or truth contained in that song. Therefore it did not achieve any currency among the saints. Another song written by a brother was "Call, Lord Jesus, taste and see; Christ become reality; life He gives abundantly; as a river flowing free; with a new life we begin; joy is springing from within; love, He fills us to the brim, and it's all because of Him." This song had not only inspiration, but also some experience. This song, therefore, is still enjoyed by many of the young people. It contains some good expressions, but there is little revelation contained therein. Examples of Hymns which Can Help Us Experience the Lord's Presence Hymn 671 ("Deep down into the depths of this Thy name") you will find a song written by M. E. Barber. This is a very good song on the experience of God (although the expressions in the Chinese translation are much better than in the English original). Hymn 958 (Since long ago at Bethany we parted"), written by Watchman Nee, is one of the top hymns for beauty of expression. This hymn is also very inspired and full of experience. After you sing such a hymn, you just feel like you are a different person. You are brought out of many things and you realize how romantic the Christian life is. Such a deep hymn, however, when compared to many of Brother Lee's hymns, is not particularly full of truth. Therefore when you sing such a hymn again and again, you will not experience an increasing appreciation for the Lord or for the things of the Lord. This song does not expound truth, but it is full of sensations, so you would find it difficult to sing all the time. When called at the proper time, however, such a hymn can bring the whole church into the deep presence of Christ. Many of the hymns, such as 477 ("Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born"), help you to know the inner life. Such songs cause you to seek the deeper experiences. It was hymn 477 that helped me to realize what consecration was. I told the Lord at that time that I didn't care whether or not I would be a victorious Christian or live a comfortable life; I just wanted to be His lover. If suffering would enable me to love the Lord more, I told Him I was willing to suffer. If failure would enable me to love the Lord alone, I was willing to endure failure. Such songs can really help you to love the Lord. Hymn 473 ("No mortal tongue can e'er describe the freedom of the soul") is primarily full of inspiration, so it is not the kind of hymn you can sing every day. It is not a hymn focused on truth. It is, however, full of top expressions to convey the reality of consecration. It challenges you, but not in a rude way (for instance, instead of saying "it is stupid" to refuse to be the Lord's alone; it only says "tis passing strange"). Through such a hymn, full of inspiration, experiences and apt expressions, you can be brought into something quite high. I hope the young people will turn to the hymns and be brought into the Lord's presence through the hymns. Today's generation has been brought up on rhythm instead of music. The crude music of today's culture has caused many of the young brothers to lose their appreciation for what is truly musical. Since many have grown up listening to rhythms, they have lost their ability to enjoy songs. A hymn like 473 should be very enjoyable and impressive to all of the young people. Now let us come to 841 ("Thou art all my life, Lord, in me Thou dost live"). Of all the hymns written by Brother Lee, I feel this one is the most approachable. No matter what condition you are in, no matter what you have experience, no matter what is your situation, whenever you come to this hymn you are able to get life. It is filled with inspiration, experience, wonderful expressions, revelations, and truth. Such a song you can sing again and again, and always feel refreshed. This hymn encourages us to do one thing: to open ourselves to Christ. This hymn, I would say, is good for any and all settings: for your private time with the Lord and for the gatherings of the saints. Brother Lee's writings are filled with truth; that is what marks his hymns. Some of the hymns he wrote aren't so much meant for singing as they are for studying for truth's sake. If you want to know the truth, study the hymns written by Witness Lee. They contain the profound truths. You Should Put Yourself into the Hymns as You Sing Them Don't sing a song as a ritual. Learn to call the songs that will bring those present into the Lord's presence. As you sing the hymns, you should put your whole person into them. Often when we sing in the meetings, the song and the person singing it are not together. If we come to the hymns ritualistically, our singing will not bring us into the presence of the Lord. Learn to allow the hymns to inspire you, bring you into the experience of Christ, and to bring you to revelation and truth. The expressions contained in the hymns should give you the way to be brought into these things. A good hymn should have inspirations that inspire you, experiences that enhance and confirm your experience of Christ, expressions that bring the reality to you in its most expressive form, and revelation and truth. Thus, a good hymn can help you to be brought into the very presence of the Lord. I hope that all the saints will begin coming to the hymns for this purpose. The use of the hymnal in this way should greatly help you as you pursue the Lord.