John W. Peterson | Katherine H. Purdy

Do you ever have lyrics of songs stick in your head but can’t remember which song?

(I know, growing older does that to us sometimes.)

At home, when I play the piano and sing, it is as unto the Lord. I ask Him to help my inadequacies and that it may be a blessing to anyone who hears – not my playing; for I merely play by ear but that they will recognize the song and sing along if only in their hearts.

As I was playing a few minutes ago, I saw a verse in a song we often sang in Church at Colonial Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, Virginia when I was a teenager. In fact, on Sunday nights when our song leader, Haynes Spickard asked for favorites, we all knew that Mr. Drain would raise his hand and request this song. It is taken from Psalm 23.

Do you know what hymn this verse is from? I will give you a hint. It was written by John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith. If you recognize the song, please comment below.

“He restoreth my soul when I’m weary, He giveth me strength day by day; He leads me beside the still waters, He guards me each step of the way.”

Don’t peek at the link yet!

Are you singing along?

Record Player

This link might help.

What was your favorite song request?

(I will share my favorite next Tuesday for What Song is This Day.)

In The Vision of a Mother’s Heart, one of the chapters portrays Song Requests in Church.
Little Jimmy was confused about the title of his favorite song but the song leader knew which song he meant and they all sang Trust and Obey.

On their way home from Church, “Mama” announced that she had borrowed a hymnal from the song leader so that the children could copy the songs so that they would learn the songs they sang most often.

The Church where I grew up asked for requests almost every Sunday night. When the music director asked for requests, we all knew that Mr. Drain would request page number 292.
Surely Goodness and Mercy by John W. Peterson and Alfred Smith. We sang all of the verses as well as the chorus at the end. We sang this with enthuasum. We sang with joy. We sang with smiles as we watched Mr. Drain singing with all his heart.

Back in the “old days,” we had hymnals. Children stood by their parents and learned to read the music as well as the words as they shared their song book with Mom or Dad. Many of us remember all five verses to How Great Thou Art and Just As I Am because the hymns became a part of who we are. Sometimes I fear that we will have a generation of children who do not know how to read music because they have missed out on this wonderful tradition of sharing a hymnal.

What about you? Do you have any memories of learning hymns with your parents in Church?
What would song would you request?

I must admit that I prefer the older songs. Songs filled with doctrine and have a good melody as well. Crown Him With Many Crowns, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, At Calvary, and Mr. Drain’s favorite – Surely Goodness and Mercy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDMqlwsfa2k