John Newton

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

    Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11

 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds LBW 345

 1    How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
     It soothes our sorrows, heals our wounds, and drives away all fear.

2    It makes the wounded spirit whole and calms the heart's unrest;
      'tis manna to the hungry soul and to the weary, rest.

3    Dear name! The rock on which I build, my shield and hiding place;
      my never-failing treasury, filled with boundless stores of grace.

4    By thee my prayers acceptance gain although with sin defiled.
      The devil charges me in vain, and I am owned a child.

5    O Jesus, shepherd, guardian, friend, my prophet, priest, and king,
      my Lord, my life, my way, my end, accept the praise I bring.

6    How weak the effort of my heart, how cold my warmest thought;
      but when I see thee as thou art, I'll praise thee as I ought.

7    Till then I would thy love proclaim with every fleeting breath;
      and may the music of thy name refresh my soul in death!

Text: John Newton, 1725-1807, alt.

            Our old friend John Newton (Amazing Grace) also wrote this hymn late in life.  He was deaf and nearly blind in his final years and had to be assisted to the pulpit by an aid who would point to the place in his outline where he was. He would then expound upon the point. On the last Sunday prior to his death, the aid pointed and Newton said; “Jesus Christ is precious!”  He then paused, and said a second time, “Jesus Christ is precious”.  The aid whispered he had already said that once, to which Newton replied “and I say it again, Jesus Christ is precious!”  Then he asked the congregation to sing the hymn he had just finished; “How sweet the name of Jesus Sounds!”

 Prayer:  Lord God, in our final days, even as we close our eyes in death, may we, like your servants of the past, be empowered to speak the precious name of Jesus in confidence, hope and joy!  Amen.