Vocal Works

Click on any of the pieces of music in "Sacred Solo Favorites: Old and New" to jump to its words.

Be Still and Know That I Am God
How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings
The Lord Is My Shepherd
He Is Risen!
Communion Hymn
The Penitent
Behold What Manner of Love
Father-God, I Seek You
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
The Power of Love
Bless His Holy Name
Right Where You Are
The Lord's Prayer

Words from the King James Version of The Bible, except where indicated

Be Still, And Know That I Am God

music by Roberta Bitgood

Be still, be still, and know that I am God. My soul, my soul, wait thou in silence, in silence, in silence, for God only; wait thou, wait thou. Be still, be still, and know that I am God. I will hear what the Lord will speak. He will speak peace, He will speak peace to his people and his saints, peace. Be still, be still, and know that I am God. The Lord is nigh unto all them, the Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him in truth, that call upon Him in truth. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Be still, be still, and know that I am God. I am God. (back to top)

How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings

music by Samuel Liddle

How lovely are Thy dwellings, O Lord of Hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, fainteth, for the courts of the Lord:
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house,
And the swallow a nest, where she may lay her young,
Even Thine altars, O Lord of Hosts, my King and my God.

O Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. (back to top)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

music by Craig Courtney

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forevermore.
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He Is Risen!

music by Frederick M. Barnes

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, went to see the sepulcher. And behold there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord, descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and raiment white as snow, And for fear of him the guards did tremble, and became as dead men.

And the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here, he is risen!

He is risen, he is risen, Christ is risen from the dead!

Lord! By the stripes which wounded thee, from death’s dread sting thy servant is free, That we may live and sing to thee. Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen!

The strife is o’er, the battle won. Alleluia! (back to top)

Communion Hymn

words by Mary Baker Eddy, used courtesy of the Mary Baker Eddy Collection

Saw ye my Saviour? Heard ye the glad sound?
Felt ye the power of the Word?
'Twas the Truth that made us free,
And was found by you and me
In the life and the love of our Lord.

Mourner, it calls you,--"Come to my bosom,
Love wipes your tears all away,
And will lift the shade of gloom,
And for you make radiant room
Midst the glories of one endless day."

Sinner, it calls you,--"Come to this fountain,
Cleanse the foul senses within;
'Tis the Spirit that makes pure,
That exalts thee, and will cure
All thy sorrow and sickness and sin."

Strongest deliverer, friend of the friendless,
Life of all being divine:
Thou the Christ, and not the creed;
Thou the Truth in thought and deed;
Thou the water, the bread, and the wine. (back to top)

The Penitent

music by Beardsley Van de Water

A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father; “Give me the goods that falleth to me.” And he divided to them his living. And the younger son gathered together, and journeyed to a far off country, and wasted his substance in riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a famine in that land, and he began to be in want, and no man gave unto him. But when he came to himself, he said, “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough, and to spare, while I perish with hunger! I will arise, and go unto my father, and will say unto him: : “Father, I have sinned, sinned against heaven, and in thy sight. Father, I have sinned and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Make me as on e of thy hired servants!” And he arose and came to his father, who saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and said: “Bring forth the best robe and put it on him, and shoes on his feet! Bring forth the best robe and put it on him, and a ring on his hand! For this my son was dead, but is alive again! He was lost, and is found! My son was lost, but he is found!
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Behold! What Manner of Love

music by James MacDermid

And God said, Let us make Man in our image, after our likeness:And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air. And over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over ev’ry creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Behold! what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us; that we, that we should be called, called the Sons of God:

Beloved, now are we the Sons of God,and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: But we know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Behold! what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God, the Sons of God, The Sons of God, the Sons of God.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him. (back to top)

Father-God, I Seek You

words by Helene Mills

As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities us. As a mother comforts her child, so the Lord comforts us. O Father-God I seek you, I listen for you, I yearn to know you. Quiet the clamor of the day; I feel my longing heart be still before you.

O Mother-God I seek you, I listen for you, I yearn to know you. Still in my need to understand, to feel your healing touch, I bow before you.

Tender the sweet voice whispers, I am your Father, your Father-Mother; closer to you than breath of life, than longing heart, my love embraces you.

Tender the sweet voice whispers, I am your Mother, your Father-Mother; holding you gently safe from harm, secure in Truth's pure light, my love embraces you.

Bright the light shining o'er me, peaceful as dawning day--holy light shining o'er me, healing in every ray--whispering I am your loving Father, always embracing you. I am your loving Mother, always embracing you. I am your Father-Mother, always embracing you. (back to top)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

music by Hunter Moore

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion:
Bless the Lord, O my soul. (back to top)

Power of Love

words and music by Richard Gould Allen

If you're lost, then walk with Him And He will show the way.
Reach to touch eternity and hold it day by day.
Dare to face the future with the smile of Spring.
Knowing what a treasure it will bring.

Cast your dreams across the wind and let your soul run free.
Leave your shadows to the past and find reality.
There's a joy to living none can ever steal.
When you put your trust in Him the power of love is real.

When it seems that things go wrong just know that Love is here.
Lifting you above the mist and casting out all fear
Capture that expression of the real and true.
Knowing only joy and peace for you.

Love can calm the raging sea and make the beast be still.
With His beam of tenderness you'll climb your highest hill.
There's no need for waiting let the Truth reveal…
all you are and then you'll find the power of love will heal.
(back to top)

Bless His Holy Name

words adapted from the book of Psalms

music by Desiree Goyette and Ed Bogas

Praise ye the mighty King,
Praise Him in the highest.
Praise ye the heav'nly Father,
Bless His holy name.
Praise Him, praise Him on the trumpet.
Praise Him with a ten-stringed instrument.
Praise Him, praise Him with the psaltery,
With the cymbal, with the cornet!

Thank you, Lord, full of grace,
For your love which fills all time and space.
Thank you, Lord.
For each bright blessed day,
And your tender, chastening, guiding way,
Thank you Lord.

Only Truth I see,
Reflected Lord from Thee,
Only Love reflecting in love.
Thank you, Lord, Gracious Peace,
For your angels bringing sweet release.
Thank you, Lord.

Let us praise Him, praise Him on the trumpet.
Praise Him with a ten-stringed instrument.
Praise Him, praise Him with the psaltery,
With the cymbal, with the cornet!

Praise ye, the mighty King.
Praise Him in the highest.
Praise ye, the heavenly Father.
Bless His holy name! (back to top)

Right Where You Are

words and music by Grace O. Barrett (arr. By Avelyn M. Kerr)

God has work for you to do right where you are,
Work that no one else can do right where you are.
Life from each its bit demands,
Listen to your Lord's commands.
Do His work with willing hands right where you are.

God has words for you to say right where you are;
Words that point the better way right where you are.
Truth's glad song is ringing clear,
Eager ears are strained to hear;
Give them comfort, never fear, right where you are.

Sometimes error softly whispers that in some far distant clime
We could better solve our problems at a different place and time.
But God's law is just the same whether we be near or far.
You can conquer in His name, you can win right where you are.

God has work for every man right where you are;
Working out His perfect plan right where you are.
Love supplies your every need
If you're true in thought and deed
You will need no other creed right where you are.
You will find that God doth lead right where you are.
(back to top)

The Lord’s Prayer

music by Albert Hay Malotte

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not, lead us not, lead us not into temptation. But deliver us, deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever, and ever. Amen.

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