The command has been issued: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (Colossians 3:16a).

So we read, we study, we meditate, we memorize, we sing. We sit ourselves before the buffet of Scripture and stuff ourselves silly.

Rehearsing the truths of God’s Word one to another helps drill it into our hearts and is part of the process of rooting and grounding ourselves in the love of God through faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:17), because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Bottom line: We need the Word to fulfill the Word.

Singing songs rich in theology and Gospel truth serve this process well.

The following hymn is drenched in truth and causes my heart and eyes to soar to the One who quenched Mount Sinai’s flame and seated us, rebels who committed cosmic treason against our Creator, at His table, robed in His righteousness. Amazing.

This hymn isn’t on CyberHymnal, and I haven’t been able to find when it was written, but it’s beautiful and has helped the Word to dwell in my heart richly this week. I hope it helps you to say the same.

The Gospel Brings Tidings

Words by William Gadsby (1773–1844)

The gospel brings tidings, glad tidings indeed,
To mourners in Zion, who want to be freed,
From sin and Satan, and Mount Sinai’s flame,
Good news of salvation, through Jesus the Lamb.

What sweet invitations, the gospel contains,
To men heavy laden, with bondage and chains;
It welcomes the weary, to come and be blessed,
With ease from their burdens, in Jesus to rest.

For every poor mourner, who thirsts for the Lord,
A fountain is opened, in Jesus the Word;
Their poor parched conscience, to cool and to wash,
From guilt and pollution, from dead works and dross.

A robe is provided, their shame now to hide,
In which none are clothed, but Jesus’ bride;
Though it be costly, yet is the robe free,
And all Zion’s mourners, shall decked with it be.

———————
More from the For the Love of Hymns series:

Part One: Oh the Bliss of the Purified
Part Two: Not Now My Child
Part Three: Take My Life and Let it Be
Part Four: There is a Fountain
Part Five: He Knows
Part Six: All My Hope on God is Founded
Part Seven: In Heavenly Love Abiding
Part Eight: Japheth Song
Part Nine: What Child is This
Part 10: Man of Sorrows
Part 11: Arise, My Soul, Arise