Not Of Terrestial Mortal Themes

Not of terrestrial mortal themes

Author: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799
Tune: FRANCES (McGranahan)
Published in 1 hymnal

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Not of terrestrial mortal themes
Not of the world’s delusive dreams
My soul attempts to sing;
But of that theme divinely true,
Ever delightful, ever new—
My Jesus and my king.

2 Oh could I speak the matchless worth,
Oh could I sound the glories forth,
Which in my Savior shine!
I’d soar, and touch the heavenly strings
And vie with Gabriel while he sings
In notes almost divine.

3 Upon the theme I’d ever dwell,
And in transporting raptures tell
What I in Jesus see;
I’d sing with more than mortal voice,
And lose my life amidst the joys
Of what He is to me.

4 Prostrate before His throne I’d fall,
And bless His holy name for all
The riches of His grace.
I’d sing how glorious power subdued,
I’d sing how sovereign love renewed
The vilest of the race.

5 I’d sing the precious blood He spilt,
My ransom from the dreadful guilt
Of sin, and wrath divine;
I’d sing His glorious righteousness,
In which all-perfect, heavenly dress
My soul shall ever shine.

6 I’d sing the characters He bears,
And all the forms of love He wears,
Exalted on His throne;
In loftiest songs of sweetest praise,
I would to everlasting days
Make all His glories known.

7 But ah! I’m still in clay confined,
And mortal passions clog my mind,
And downward drag me still;
O when shall I attain the skies,
And to immortal glories rise
On Zion’s heavenly hill?

8 Well, the delightful day will come,
When He, dear Lord! will bring me home,
And I shall see His face;
Then with my Savior, brother, friend,
A blest eternity I’ll spend,
Triumphant in His grace.

Author: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799

Medley, Samuel, born June 23, 1738, at Cheshunt, Herts, where his father kept a school. He received a good education; but not liking the business to which he was apprenticed, he entered the Royal Navy. Having been severely wounded in a battle with the French fleet off Port Lagos, in 1759, he was obliged to retire from active service. A sermon by Dr. Watts, read to him about this time, led to his conversion. He joined the Baptist Church in Eagle Street, London, then under the care of Dr. Gifford, and shortly afterwards opened a school, which for several years he conducted with great success. Having begun to preach, he received, in 1767, a call to become pastor of the Baptist church at Watford. Thence, in 1772, he removed to Byrom Street, Liv… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Not of terrestrial mortal themes
Title: Not Of Terrestial Mortal Themes
Author: Samuel Medley, 1738-1799
Meter: 8.8.6.8.8.6
Source: Hymns: The Public Worship and Private Devotions of True Christians, Assisted in some Thoughts and Verse; Principally Drown from Select Passages of the Word of God, 1789 (enlarged edition, 1794)
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

FRANCES (McGranahan)

Better known for his gospel songs than his hymn tunes, James McGranahan (PHH 99) wrote FRANCES in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Copyrighted in 1901 by McGranahan, the tune was set to this text in the 1912 Psalter and in every edition of the Psalter Hymnal. FRANCES is a rousing tune with…

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Media

The Cyber Hymnal #11758
  • PDF (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer Score (NWC)

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The Cyber Hymnal #11758

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