Tasting and Seeing, Trinity and Thanksgiving: New Reformation Hymn (NRH 03)

I confess to getting more than a bit derailed on my good intentions to blog a New Reformation Hymn each week (don't look at the date of the last one). But, as they say, if first you don't succeed, try, try again. So here I am trying again. I'm posting these in the order of their creation over the last fifteen years.

NEW REFORMATION HYMN 03 (NRH 03) We Rise and Worship (Long Meter, LM, 8.8.8.8.)

I was asked by my friend and PCA minister, Rick DeMass, to work on a new hymn appropriate to a Thanksgiving service. My initial reaction was that I'm not a performing animal who can crank out poetry on cue. But then I began going through passages on Thanksgiving (there's heaps--a rich blessing in itself), until I came to Psalm 34, my father's favorite Psalm during his terminal illness. "O, taste and see that the Lord is good," struck me afresh, and the Eucharistic, Lord's Supper allusions and implications thrilled me. Just days before the Thanksgiving service that Rick wanted the hymn for I managed to produce the following. It seems to me that the hymn is not restricted to once a year Thanksgiving service use.Several have written tunes for this hymn which you can listen to at www.newreformationhymns.webs.com. 

Hymn poetry.       

We rise and worship you, our Lord,
            With grateful hearts for grace outpoured,
For you are good—O taste and see—
            Great God of mercy rich and free. 
                                                       
A chosen son of God on high,           
            I trembling bow and wonder why
This Sovereign Lord—O taste and see—
            In love stooped down and rescued me.

Your Son obeyed the Law for me,
            Then died my death upon the tree.
O Jesus Christ, I taste and see
            And marvel that you purchased me.

In might, your Spirit drew me in,
            My quickened heart from death to win.
O Holy Spirit—taste and see—
           My comfort, hope, and surety.

With thankful praise our hearts we give;
            By grace alone we serve and live.
O Trinity, we taste and see
            Your sovereign goodness full and free.

Douglas Bond, Copyright, November 19, 2007