I Have a Great Savior, I Do, Don't You?

Words by Melville W. Miller. Music by Edwin O. Excell, 1907
Click the arrow above to play. If you see no video play arrow, click the song title to view online.

I know a great Saviour, I do; don’t you? 
I live by His favor, I do; don’t you?
For grace I implore Him, I worship before Him,
I love and adore Him, I do; don’t you?

I need Him to lead me, I do; don’t you?
Heav’n’s manna to feed me, I do; don’t you?
What ever betide me, I need Him beside me,
In mercy to hide me, I do; don’t you?

I love to be near Him, I do; don’t you?
He speaks and I hear Him, I do; don’t you?
For me He is caring, the cross I am bearing,
I love Him for sharing, I do; don’t you?

I want Him to use me, I do; don’t you?
For service to choose me, I do; don’t you?
I want Him to bless me, to own and confess me,
completely possess me, I do; don’t you?

Public Domain. Sheet music available here.
Published as Song #2 in Sing and Give Thanks
Recorded on LP 365: My Sheep Know My Voice (verses 1 and 4 only)

Life’s Priorities

In the voyage of our lifetime,
through the valleys and o’er hills,
we may climb to lofty summits
and traverse the rocks and rills.
In the valleys there is profit
gathered from the fertile fields;
on the mountains we gain riches
time with God so richly yields.

In our deep preoccupation
with the mundane, day by day,
we do well to make provision
for a little time away
when we look to the horizon
and survey the distant goal,
then appraise the time and effort
spent on body, mind and soul.

“Thou shalt do thy work and pleasure
in six days,” but there’s one more
set aside for prayer and worship—
may that never be a chore.
Yes, in fact, may daily pleasures 
oft include a tryst with God
so that love and faith’s pure virtues
shall distill as dew on sod.

In our youth and in our manhood,
may we never count it loss
to reflect on what was purchased 
by our Saviour on the cross.
Since we’re part of the transaction
and to God we now belong,
may we walk in sweet communion
so that life is filled with song.

Sweet companionships and earth-ties
sanctified by trust and love
add dimension to our living—
bliss like that in heaven above.
Oh, to gain the right perspective—
not to shirk and yet to make
time for God and time for others
in this voyage that we take!

fpn 5/79



Picture: depositphotos.com #27740641, standard license

Hero Worship

We all have had our heroes—
those souls whom we adored
to a point, perhaps of worship,
beyond that of our Lord.

Such reverence for a mortal
is sad and should not be;
but we’re inclined to worship
some man or thing we see.

And we accept man’s worship,
if so, we’ll need to prove
that we have saving power
in his behalf to move.

Of course, his estimation
with time usually breaks down
and then, humiliated,
our true worth will be known.

It’s fitting that we honor
and that with due respect
all those with gifts or talents
whom praise will not distract.

But God alone is worth
of worship—man is not.
Our ego moves with blindness
—proves us a foolish lot.

And since our hearts are sinful
with life so short a while,
let God be God, while we keep
as men, a low profile!

fpn/December 1982



Picture: depositphotos.com #3066659, standard license

Christian Fellowship

What joy there is in meeting
with kindred in the Lord.
How sweet the sense of sharing
the secrets of God’s Word!

The tie that binds is blessed
in a world so cruel and cold;
for God’s own love unites—
all ages—young and old.

We do so need each other
and each one takes a part
in adding zest to gatherings 
and gladdening each heart.

You can’t know what you’re missing
until you “taste and see”
that God is good, dear neighbor;
come, share His love with me!

fpn/undated