“Mildly updated” hymns

        When the Wesleys published their hymn books back in the 1700s they included many Scripture references for every verse so the reader could understand exactly what the background story was.

        Along this line, I’ve been reading from the NIV for thirty years now, and I always find the modern English refreshing. With this in mind, here is #1 in the Believers Hymn Book, ”mildly modernized” and with a few Scripture references added:

               Abba^1a, Father! We approach You

                  In our Saviour’s precious name;
               We, Your children, here assembling,
                  Access to Your presence claim;
               From our sin His blood has washed^1b us:
                  It’s through Him our souls draw near
               And Your Spirit, too, has taught us,
                  Abba, Father! Name so dear.

               Once as prodigals^2a we wandered

                  In our folly, far from You;
               But Your grace, over sin abounding,
                  Rescued us from misery:^2b
               You, your prodigals have pardoned,
                  Loved us with a Father’s love;
               Welcomed^2c us with joy overflowing,
                  Even to dwell with You above.

               Clothed in garments of salvation^3a,

                  At Your table is our place;
               We rejoice and You rejoice, too,
                  In the riches of Your grace:
               It is right, we hear You saying,
                  We should happy be and glad;
               I have found My once lost children^3b,
                 Now they live who once were dead.

               Abba, Father! All adore you,

                  All rejoice in heaven above;
               While in us^4a they learn the wonders
                  Of Your wisdom, power and love;
               Soon, before Your throne assembled,^4b
                  All Your children shall proclaim,
               Glory, everlasting glory,
                  Be to God and to the Lamb.

          Notes: 1a. Mk.14:36; Rom.8:15; Gal.4:6. 1b. Rev.7:14.

          2a: Luke 15:11-32. 2b: Luke 15:17. 2c: Luke 15:20.
          3a: Luke 15:22. 3b: Luke 15:32.
          4a: Heb.12:1.  4b: Rev.4:2-11.

        We hope this little commentary has thrown a bit more light on the meaning of the hymn. I believe the King James English tends to obscure some of the meaning of the verses. A quick summary of the song would be: We are children of God, coming to our father because our sins have all been washed away by the death of Christ. We compare ourselves to the prodigal son who lived in misery for a while but then repented, returned to his father, and was joyfully welcomed and forgiven. We now have been given wonderful new spiritual clothing and are seated at the Lord’s Table, where the Father is leading a celebration of our coming to life from death. And not only are we celebrating but so are the entire heavenly host, as they look at us and see the character of God displayed in ways they will never experience themselves.