July 7, 2024
Hymn: Blessed Are They That Do
Author and Composer: P. P. Bliss
Philip Paul Bliss (9 July 1838 – 29 December 1876) was an American composer, conductor, writer of hymns and a bass-baritone Gospel singer. He wrote the tune for Horatio Spafford’s “It Is Well with My Soul” (1876).
More on P. P. Bliss at https://hymnary.org/person/Bliss_Philip
Scriptural References
“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes…”
— Exodus 15:26
“For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
— Romans 2:13
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
— Revelation 22:14
Instances
1888 Hymn and Tune Book
– Hymn 1303
1908 Christ in Song
– Hymn 55
Video Accompaniment
Blessed Are They That Do His Commandments #55 – Christ In Song
Lyrics
Verse 1
Hear the words our Saviour hath spoken,
Words of life, unfailing and true;
Careless one, prayerless one, hear and remember,
Jesus says, “Blessed are they that do.”
Chorus
Blessed are they that do his commandments,
Blessed are they, blessed are they;
Blessed are they that do his commandments,
Blessed, blessed, blessed are they.
Verse 2
All in vain we hear his commandments
All in vain his promises, too;
Hearing them, fearing them, never can save us,
Blessed, O blessed are they that do.
Verse 3
They with joy may enter the city,
Free from sin, from sorrow and strife,
Sanctified, glorified, now and forever,
They may have right to the tree of life.
Musings
This hymn, like the Scripture it is based on, reminds persons that there are blessings in store for those who follow the commandments… but those blessings will only be discovered by those who actually do them. In other words: Do them, and find out.
On deeper inspection, this hymn promotes an important Law of Health: Exercise.
Our society seems to promote knowledge more than the exercise of said knowledge. With exercise, the brain develops, the muscles are toned, the hormones are balanced. Mere knowledge won’t achieve this… so let’s get to the doing.
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