A library of resources for funerals

Praise The Lord! Ye Heavens, Adore Him

Edward Osler (1798-1863)

Praise the Lord! ye heavens, adore him;
praise him, angels, in the height;
sun and moon, rejoice before him,
praise him, all ye stars and light.
Praise the Lord! for he hath spoken;
worlds his mighty voice obeyed:
laws, which never shall be broken,
for their guidance he hath made.

Praise the Lord! for he is glorious;
never shall his promise fail:
God hath made his saints victorious;
sin and death shall not prevail.
Praise the God of our salvation;
hosts on high, his power proclaim;
heaven and earth, and all creation,
laud and magnify his name!

Worship, honour, glory, blessing,
Lord we offer to thy name;
young and old, thy praise expressing,
join their Saviour to proclaim.
As the saints in heav'n adore thee,
we would bow before thy throne;
as thine angels serve before thee,
so on earth thy will be done.

Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, The King Of Creation

Joachim Neander (1650-1680), Catherine Winkworth (1827-1878)

Praise to the Lord, the almighty, the King of creation;
O my soul, praise him, for his is thy health and salvation:
come ye who hear,
brothers and sisters draw near,
praise him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth:
hast thou not seen
all that is needful hath been
granted in what he ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work, and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;
ponder anew
all the almighty can do,
he who with love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth nourish thy life and restore thee,
fitting thee well for the tasks that are ever before thee,
then to thy need
he like a mother doth speed,
spreading the wings of grace o'er thee.

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
sound from his people again:
gladly for ay we adore him.

Rejoice, The Lord Is King

Rejoice, the Lord is King.
Your Lord and King adore;
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore:
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

Jesus the Saviour, reigns,
the God of truth and love;
when he had purged our stains,
he took his seat above:
Chorus.

His kingdom cannot fail;
he rules o'er earth and heaven;
the keys of death and hell
are to our Jesus given:
Chorus.

He sits at God's right hand
till all his foes submit,
and bow to his command,
and fall beneath his feet:
Chorus.

Rejoice in glorious hope;
Jesus the Judge shall come,
and take his servants up
to their eternal home:
We soon shall hear the archangel's voice
the trump of God shall sound: Rejoice!

Rock Of Ages, Cleft For Me

Augustus Montague Toplady (1740 – 1778)

Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy riven side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure:
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labours of my hands
can fulfil thy law’s demands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears for ever flow,
all for sin could not atone:
Thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to thy cross I cling,
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when my eyes are closed in death,
when I soar through tracts unknown,
see thee on thy judgement throne;
rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

Safe In The Arms Of Jesus,

Frances Jane van Alstyne (Fanny Crosby) (1820-1915)

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! 'tis the voice of angels
Borne in a song to me
Over the fields of glory,
Over the jasper sea.
Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded,
Sweetly my soul shall rest

Safe in the arms of Jesus,
Safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world's temptations,
Sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow,
Free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials,
Only a few more tears.
Chorus

Jesus, my heart's dear refuge,
Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of ages
Ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience,
Wait till the night is o'er,
Wait till I see the morning
Break on the golden shore.
Chorus

Saviour, Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise

John Ellerton (1826-1893)

Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise
With one accord our parting hymn of praise;
We stand to bless thee ere our worship cease,
Then, lowly kneeling, wait thy word of peace.

Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;
With thee begun, with thee shall end the day;
Guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
That in this house have called upon thy name.

Grant us thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;
Turn thou for us its darkness into light;
From harm and danger keep thy children free,
For dark and light are both alike to thee.

Grant us thy peace throughout our earthly life,
Our balm in sorrow, and our stay in strife;
Then, when thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,
Call us, O Lord, to thy eternal peace.

Safely, Safely Gather'd In

Henrietta Octavia de Lisle Dobree (1831-1894)

Safely, safely gather'd in,
Far from sorrow, far from sin,
No more childish griefs or fears,
No more sadness, no more tears;
For the life so young and fair
Now hath pass'd from earthly care;
God Himself the soul will keep,
Giving His belovèd-sleep.

Safely, safely gather'd in,
Far from sorrow, far from sin,
Pass'd beyond all grief and pain,
Death for thee is truest gain;
For our loss we must not weep,
Nor our loved one long to keep
From the home of rest and peace,
Where all sin and sorrow cease.

Safely, safely gather'd in,
Far from sorrow, far from sin;
God has saved from weary strife,
In its dawn, this fresh young life;
Now it waits for us above,
Resting in the Saviour's love;
Jesu, grant that we may meet
There, adoring at Thy Feet.

Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God

Karen Lafferty (born 1948)

Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Allelu, alluluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Allelu, alluluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you,
seek and ye shall find;
knock and the door shall be opened up to you.
Allelu, alluluia.

Silent Night, Holy Night

Joseph Mohr (1792-1848)

Silent night, holy night,
all is calm, all is bright,
round yon virgin mother and child;
holy infant, so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace.
sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night.
Shepherds quake at the sight,
heavenly hosts sing alleluia
Loud proclaiming near and far:
'Christ, our Saviour is here.
Christ our Saviour is here'.

Silent night, holy night.
God is love, Oh how bright
shines the love on His holy face,
shines the light of redemption and grace:
Christ incarnate God.
Christ incarnate God.

Shall We Gather At The River

Robert Lowry (1826-1899)

Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide for ever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river
Dashing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever
All the happy, golden day.
Chorus

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver
And provide a robe and crown.
Chorus

At the shining of the river,
Mirror of the Saviour's face,
Saints whom death will never sever
Raise their song of saving grace.
Chorus

Shepherd, show me how to go

Shepherd, show me how to go
O’er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow,
How to feed Thy sheep;
I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way.

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,
Wound the callous breast,
Make self-righteousness be still,
Break earth’s stupid rest.
Strangers on a barren shore,
Lab’ring long and lone,
We would enter by the door,
And Thou know’st Thine own.

So, when day grows dark and cold,
Tear or triumph harms,
Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,
Take them in Thine arms;
Feed the hungry, heal the heart,
Till the morning’s beam;
White as wool, ere they depart,
Shepherd, wash them clean.

Simply Trusting Every Day

Edgar Page Stites (1837-1921)

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting him whate'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth his Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine:
While he leads I cannot fall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Chorus

Singing, if my way be clear;
Praying, if the path be drear;
If in danger, for him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Chorus

Trusting him while life shall last,
Trusting him till earth be past,
Till within the jasper wall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Chorus

Sing my soul, Sing my soul

Michael Cockett (b. 1938)

Sing, my soul. Sing, my soul.
Sing, my soul of his mercy.
Sing my soul. Sing, my soul.
Sing, my soul of his mercy.
1The Lord is good to me.
His light will shine on me.
When city lights would blind my eyes,
He hears my silent call.
His hands help when I fall.
His gentle voice stills my sighs.
Chorus

The Lord is good to me.
His word will set me free
when men would tie me to the ground.
He mocks my foolish ways
with love that never fails.
When I'm most lost then I'm found.
Chorus

The Lord is good to me.
I hear him speak to me.
His voice is in the rain that falls.
He whispers in the air
of his unending care.
If I will hear, then he calls.
Chorus

Sing The Wondrous Love Of Jesus

Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920)

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions, bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.

While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when travelling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh.
Chorus

Let us, then, be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.
Chorus

Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.
Chorus

Soldiers Of Christ, Arise

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

Soldiers of Christ, arise,
And put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through his eternal Son;
Strong in the Lord of hosts,
And in his mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts
Is more than conqueror.

Stand then in his great might,
With all his strength endued;
But take, to arm you for the fight,
The panoply of God;
That, having all things done,
And all your conflicts passed,
Ye may o'ercome through Christ alone,
And stand entire at last.

Leave no unguarded place,
No weakness of the soul;
Take every virtue, every grace,
And fortify the whole:
Indissolubly joined,
To battle all proceed;
But arm yourselves with all the mind
That was in Christ, your Head.

From strength to strength go on,
Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day;
Still let the Spirit cry
In all his soldiers: come!
Till Christ the Lord descend from high,
And take the conquerors home.

Pray, without ceasing pray,
Your captain gives the word;
His summons cheerfully obey,
And call upon the Lord:
To God your every want
In instant prayer display;
Pray always; pray, and never faint;
Pray, without ceasing pray!

In fellowship, alone,
To God with faith draw near,
Approach his courts, besiege his throne
With all the powers of prayer:
Go to his temple, go,
Nor from his altar move;
Let every house his worship know,
And every heart his love.

7Pour out your souls to God,
And bow them with your knees,
And spread your hearts and hands abroad,
And pray for Zion's peace;
Your guides and brethren bear
For ever on your mind;
Extend the arms of mighty prayer,
Ingrasping all mankind.

Sometimes a light surprises

William Cowper (1731-1800)

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in his wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
Now let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may:

It can bring with it nothing
But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe his people too:
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed;
And he who feeds the ravens
Will give his children bread.

Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there,
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

Soul Of My Saviour, Sanctify My Breast

Anima Christi sanctifica me, attributed to Pope John XXII (1249-1334)

Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast,
Body of Christ, be thou my saving guest,
Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in thy tide,
Wash me with water flowing from thy side.

Strength and protection may thy passion be,
O blessèd Jesu, hear and answer me;
Deep in thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me,
So shall I never, never part from thee.

Guard and defend me from the foe malign,
In death's dread moments make me only thine:
Call me and bid me come to thee on high
Where I may praise thee with thy saints for ay.

Spirit Of God, As Strong As The Wind

Margaret Old (born 1932) adapted Geoffrey Marshall-Taylor (born 1943)

Spirit of God, as strong as the wind,
Gentle as is the dove,
Give us your joy, and give us your peace,
Show to us Jesus' love.

1You inspired men, long, long ago,
They then proclaimed your word;
We see their lives, serving mankind:
Through them your voice is heard.
Chorus

Without your help, we fail our Lord,
We cannot live His way,
We need your power, we need your strength,
Following Christ each day.
Chorus

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus

George Duffield (1818-88)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the Cross!
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army he shall lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the solemn watchword hear;
if while ye sleep he suffers,
away with shame and fear.
where'er ye meet with evil,
within you or without,
charge for the God of battles,
and put the foe to rout.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armour,
each piece put on with prayer;
when duty calls or danger
be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King

Russell K Carter 1849-1926)

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Saviour;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail;
By the living word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus

Standing on the promises of Christ my Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Saviour as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus

Standing on the promises I now can see,
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Chorus

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