Category: Sabbath Rest

The first day of the week

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

This the day Him to remember:
rising from the grave to live.
This the day for all to praise Him
to the Saviour worship give.
Heavenly day, holy day,
I will sing this holy day.

Day to strengthen pilgrims’ progress
on their journey heaven-bound.
Day whose hours are full of blessing
if His fellowship we’ve found.
Heavenly day, holy day.
holy way to heavenly day!

Day that lasts on into glory
after earthly days are done.
Day to sing th’unending anthem
that we’ll sing when we have come
there with Him, free from sin:
today and always this I sing!

based on (much a free translation of)‘Hwn yw’r dydd’ by Watkin Hezekiah Williams (Watcyn Wyn) 1844-1905)

One in Seven

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

The factories would close
on Saturday –
and so no smoke arose
on Sunday,
the furnaces shut down,
the atmosphere cleared,
and they could see that far-off tower
on Sunday,
’til Monday.

Today,
as smuts and smoke,
our ears surround
all week,
which clog and choke
our thoughts,
cloud vision,
perception,
a day of rest and worship
can still provide
that opportunity
for mist and murk
to clear, subside
from mind and soul,
and we can view afresh
our aims and far-off goal.

Weekly Holiday

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

All long for a day free to fill
with nothing – or whims of their will,
– so often depressing,
the emptiness pressing –
God’s precepts can satisfy still:

A day set apart for a break
from tread-mill of pressures and work,
remember our Maker,
rejoice in our Saviour,
refreshed for another new week.

A day that has purpose and ease,
not aiming good pleasures to seize ,
but reading his scriptures
– not wearisome strictures –
brings liberating power to please.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” Exodus 20:8-10

Three Festivals of Celebration

~ rhiannon ~ Leave a comment

One day in every seven days,
right from the world’s creation,
a pause from work for rest and praise
– a weekly celebration.*

Then Israel for one week each year
the exodus remembered –
out from enslavement, murder, fear –
the rescue by their Shepherd.**

Each Sunday let your joy resound
remembering redemption
– our Shepherd rescued, and we’ve found
such cause for celebration.***

[*Sabbath **Passover ***Resurrection Day]

Tune: 87 87 (Iambic) eg St Columba, tune of ‘The King of love my Shepherd is’

Sunday benefit

~ rhiannonshymns ~ Leave a comment

God blessed the sabbath – he requires
that man from work should rest.
One day kept holy he desires:
remember, and be blest.

God made it for man’s benefit,
to pause for thankfulness;
and with his people we may meet,
and grow in godliness.

We’ve time to meditate upon
God’s Words proclaimed, explained;
encourage those who trust the Son,
and share what we have gained.

When freed from work of other days,
our worship we may bring;
remember, celebrate, and praise –
how Christ redeemed from sin.

We must not cease from true concern
for all our neighbours’ needs.
Be helpful, kind; but we must spurn
unnecessary deeds.

Our Sunday is a Jubilee,
a time for joyful song;
a time for slaves to be set free.
cleansed from a life so wrong.

And only those who want to keep
their sabbath in this way,
such benefits so great can reap,
God’s honour well display.
CM ‘Arnold’s’ by S Arnold

“Sabbath Rest”

~ rhiannonshymns ~ Leave a comment

Gen.2 & Heb.1:3
God created – all complete:
finished, nothing to repeat.

Now mankind may likewise rest
from their labours, share the best
fellowship with God above:
sabbath given them in love.

Jesus saved – it’s all complete:
finished, nothing to repeat.

So, believers share his rest,
and appreciate the best
fellowship with God. They treasure
Sunday’s taste of heavenly pleasure!