FATHER, I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE, a Hymn Devotion for 21 January 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. 7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: rHide not thy face from me, ||Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; For in thee do I trust. Psalms 143:6-8
This hymn is sometimes referred to as the ‘Martyr’s Song. Its most common tune is the same – Martyr; however I prefer the Korean Church adaptation, Auld Lang Syne -a Scotch melody. This was the tune adapted for the first National Anthem of Korea – Ae guk Kah. The hymn is the composition of Charles Wesley (1707-1788), also the author of such hymns as, Hark The Herald Angels Sing', 'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus , 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul' and 'Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending'. I chose this hymn in honor of my Korean brothers and sisters who are facing a strong Marxist movement that exceeds that which we have experienced in the past four years in America. Please remember the Church and people of the Republic of Korea in prayer.
FATHER, I STRETCH MY HANDS TO THEE
1 Father, I stretch my hands to Thee;
No other help I know.
If Thou withdraw Thyself from me,
O! whither shall I go?
2 What did Thine only Son endure,
Before I drew my breath!
What pain, what labor, to secure
My soul from endless death!
3 Surely Thou canst not let me die;
O speak and I shall live;
And here I will unwearied lie,
Till Thou Thy Spirit give.
4 Author of faith! to Thee I lift
My weary, longing eyes:
O let me now receive that gift!
My soul without it dies.
1 Father, I stretch my hands to Thee; No other help I know. If Thou withdraw Thyself from me, O! whither shall I go? For many of us, we must come to the very end of our road before we turn to the only power that can save us from ruin. We seem to want to try every way of amending our condition until finally turning to the operator’s manual – that Book which provides light and hope to the seeker (Holy Bible).
2 What did Thine only Son endure, Before I drew my breath! What pain, what labor, to secure My soul from endless death! The sacrifice of Christ for His elect was decided in eternity past when there were no heavens, no earth, no living creature whatsoever. His incarnation, ministry, death and resurrection consummated His plan of salvation for His beloved Church in stark shadows of pain, suffering, and the humiliation of the cross. We often think if salvation as a free gift, and it certainly is so to the recipient of His favor, but it cost the Father His only Begotten Son – a ransom of immeasurable proportions.
3 Surely Thou canst not let me die; O speak and I shall live; And here I will unwearied lie, Till Thou Thy Spirit give. Christ does not ‘let’ us die – death comes upon all since the Fall of Adam in Eden. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28. But the spirit of the elect man or woman can never die. The body may lay in repose until the morning of resurrection but, like Lazarus, the spirit is given an angelic escort to the bosom of Abraham awaiting the consummation of all things. The Christian will not be subject, as are others, to the second death following the Judgment.
4 Author of faith! to Thee I lift My weary, longing eyes: O let me now receive that gift! My soul without it dies. Faith is not a feature of fallen man, but is a component of God’s gift to us. Being dead in trespasses and sin, we were unable to see, here, or feel the Holy Spirit’s beckoning voice. But, then the dead ears of the soul heard the call of the Holy Spirit quickening the spirit of the elect . Just as the dead ears of Lazarus heard his name called by our Lord and was made alive, so may the same happen to us. Listen to that still small voice! Perchance you will be made alive in like manner in Christ.
