Context: Dec 2008, for our church’s annual conference, I (by my wife) was asked to write some songs depicting a few Bible characters, which would be set to tune and enacted by dramas. Some young friends set most of them to tunes, the results were surprising!
i)Abel
Outside the gates of Eden
Where trees and rivers seemed so tranquil,
Grew up our little Abel
As a keeper of his flock.
He loved the God, his father told
“What can I give to Him?”, he called,
“All I have is my little flock
I’ll give the choices to Him, my God.”
God in heaven saw his act
And had regard for this young lad.
Now little children, like Abel, of old
Give to God, the best you hold.
Where trees and rivers seemed so tranquil,
Grew up our little Abel
As a keeper of his flock.
He loved the God, his father told
“What can I give to Him?”, he called,
“All I have is my little flock
I’ll give the choices to Him, my God.”
God in heaven saw his act
And had regard for this young lad.
Now little children, like Abel, of old
Give to God, the best you hold.
ii)Joshua
We’ve heard of Joshua, the warrior man
Who led Israel to the land, Canaan.
But do you know, where this, all began?
‘T was because in his heart, faith ever rang!
When Moses sent the dozen spies
Ten returned with a mean reply
But Joshua stood like a stalwart, firm
For by his God he knew, the giants would squirm.
When Israel busied in their little tents
Shying from the desert heat, intense;
Do you know where Joshua dwelt?
Near God’s abode, God’s own tent.
In his youth he had no name –
As a man of pomp or fame.
But oft was called, the son of Nun
Who served and washed Moses’ palm
Dear youth today, will we stay
Where God abides, where His men do pray?
It’s a life far better, with purpose filled
To be God’s own, as long as we live!
Who led Israel to the land, Canaan.
But do you know, where this, all began?
‘T was because in his heart, faith ever rang!
When Moses sent the dozen spies
Ten returned with a mean reply
But Joshua stood like a stalwart, firm
For by his God he knew, the giants would squirm.
When Israel busied in their little tents
Shying from the desert heat, intense;
Do you know where Joshua dwelt?
Near God’s abode, God’s own tent.
In his youth he had no name –
As a man of pomp or fame.
But oft was called, the son of Nun
Who served and washed Moses’ palm
Dear youth today, will we stay
Where God abides, where His men do pray?
It’s a life far better, with purpose filled
To be God’s own, as long as we live!
iii)Samuel
This was a time, which sorrow filled
Every man, did what he willed.
Of God’s own Word, a scarcity
A man of God, a rarity
Anguish and travail, made Hannah weep
“If I have a son, Lord, him You’ll keep”
From this pain came forth a man
Surrendered to God's perfect plan.
From his youth, God he served
And this helped Israel be preserved
He heard God’s voice and said, ‘Amen’
So his own words didn't fall in vain.
Will today, you be found?
Needy hearts, with His voice surround
Helping them in a time of need
Making a difference? “Yes indeed!”
Every man, did what he willed.
Of God’s own Word, a scarcity
A man of God, a rarity
Anguish and travail, made Hannah weep
“If I have a son, Lord, him You’ll keep”
From this pain came forth a man
Surrendered to God's perfect plan.
From his youth, God he served
And this helped Israel be preserved
He heard God’s voice and said, ‘Amen’
So his own words didn't fall in vain.
Will today, you be found?
Needy hearts, with His voice surround
Helping them in a time of need
Making a difference? “Yes indeed!”
iv)David
In the pasture lands of Bethlehem
David the shepherd led-
His father’s flock, by meadows green
And besides the river bed.
Those quiet years of solitude
Gave him a faith that stood,
Like the craggy mounts of Jerusalem
Steadfast, though often shook.
He read and dwelt on the Word of God
For such he knew, God blessed
And composed then many a song
Outflows of an honest heart, heaven-bent
He never let a lamb be shred
By any, a ravenous foe
For such, he knew God would do
For all those in His fold.
Israel to him was God’s own land
Its enemies Jehovah’s too
For such was the way he identified
With all he had to do.
Is it a surprise that God did choose
A man without any guile,
To change the way men worship God
For then, and for all time?
Youth, set your heart after God
And all your efforts will shine
He’ll meet the deepest longings of your heart
As you seek His truth sublime.
David the shepherd led-
His father’s flock, by meadows green
And besides the river bed.
Those quiet years of solitude
Gave him a faith that stood,
Like the craggy mounts of Jerusalem
Steadfast, though often shook.
He read and dwelt on the Word of God
For such he knew, God blessed
And composed then many a song
Outflows of an honest heart, heaven-bent
He never let a lamb be shred
By any, a ravenous foe
For such, he knew God would do
For all those in His fold.
Israel to him was God’s own land
Its enemies Jehovah’s too
For such was the way he identified
With all he had to do.
Is it a surprise that God did choose
A man without any guile,
To change the way men worship God
For then, and for all time?
Youth, set your heart after God
And all your efforts will shine
He’ll meet the deepest longings of your heart
As you seek His truth sublime.
v)Daniel
God’s warnings went unheeded
Judah was defeated
Resettled were they
In far away lands
In that crowd was young Daniel
Constrained as a captive
To stand in the court
Of King Nebuchadnezzar
At times of testing
He was not found wanting,
Because his heart was enraptured
By a devotion to his God.
By wealth, he could not be bought
But for God, in prayer he fought
And influenced his people
To return to Jerusalem.
Wherever we too are found
May this about us resound,
That our hearts are held fast
And may our devotion to God last.
Judah was defeated
Resettled were they
In far away lands
In that crowd was young Daniel
Constrained as a captive
To stand in the court
Of King Nebuchadnezzar
At times of testing
He was not found wanting,
Because his heart was enraptured
By a devotion to his God.
By wealth, he could not be bought
But for God, in prayer he fought
And influenced his people
To return to Jerusalem.
Wherever we too are found
May this about us resound,
That our hearts are held fast
And may our devotion to God last.
vi)Mary
On the dusty streets of Nazareth
The sound of children playing,
Amidst this joyous crowd
Was this little Mary.
With a heart that longed for God
With a mind that sought for God
Grew up this little Mary,
Exulting in the Lord.
It was her, God chose, a vessel
For His Son to come to earth
For He knew she had the virtue
Of true humility.
In obedience she raised
Her Son, in God’s true ways
Ever surrendering her self
To the will of God.
Now little children
Do you too have these wonderful virtues?
That will make the God of heaven
Form His Son in your heart.
The sound of children playing,
Amidst this joyous crowd
Was this little Mary.
With a heart that longed for God
With a mind that sought for God
Grew up this little Mary,
Exulting in the Lord.
It was her, God chose, a vessel
For His Son to come to earth
For He knew she had the virtue
Of true humility.
In obedience she raised
Her Son, in God’s true ways
Ever surrendering her self
To the will of God.
Now little children
Do you too have these wonderful virtues?
That will make the God of heaven
Form His Son in your heart.
vii)Peter, James & John:
Peter, James & John
They were fisher boys three,
Fearing God they grew
On the shores of Galilee.
Amidst their many chores
Yearned their hearts, till sore
For the God of Abraham
Of whom they heard, at the temple fore.
Till one day in their youth
They saw Him, who was Truth
Their hearts knew He was the one
Of whom the prophets spoke
They knew He was worthy
Than all that was in their kitty
Left they all, to pursue
The Lord in His Glory.
They were fisher boys three,
Fearing God they grew
On the shores of Galilee.
Amidst their many chores
Yearned their hearts, till sore
For the God of Abraham
Of whom they heard, at the temple fore.
Till one day in their youth
They saw Him, who was Truth
Their hearts knew He was the one
Of whom the prophets spoke
They knew He was worthy
Than all that was in their kitty
Left they all, to pursue
The Lord in His Glory.
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