Ken Petersen - Oh Happy Day: Soul-Stirring Inspirations with a Gospel Music Twist

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Oh Happy Day: Soul-Stirring Inspirations with a Gospel Music Twist

Copyright 2021 by Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, photographs and illustrations are from Depositphotos and are the property of their respective copyright holders, and all rights are reserved: Microphone copyright Peter Dazeley/Getty Images; green background copyright belchonock; paper texture copyright daboost; geometric pattern copyright gamiag; vector rays copyright pushkarevsky; harmonica copyright Xanya69/Shutterstock; piano copyright Hasenonkel; guitar copyright Hannamariah; double bass copyright alenavlad; violin copyright semisatch; old music copyright clearviewstock; music notes background copyright brebca; scroll illustration copyright rtguest; back cover violin copyright cynoclub. Endsheet photograph of O Happy Day score from Hymnary.org; words by Philip Doddridge, pub. 1755; music attributed to Edward F. Rimbault, 1854.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation; used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188; all rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers; used by permission; all rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV; copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.; used by permission; all rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson; used by permission; all rights reserved.

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ISBN 978-1-4964-4639-8

ISBN 978-1-4964-4641-1 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-4964-4640-4 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-4964-4642-8 (Apple)

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M AKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE L ORD , ALL YE LANDS.

S ERVE THE L ORD WITH GLADNESS:
COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING.

PSALM 100:1-2, KJV

Weve sung this beloved hymn at events ranging from festivals to funerals. The lyrics encapsulate John Newtons life story. Forced into service on a British merchant ship when he was eighteen, Newton eventually found himself in West Africa, sick with malaria and suffering mistreatment from others. On the trip home, the ship nearly sank during a violent storm, but miraculously, the crew survived. Newton realized God had intervened, and his life was changed forever. The Lords rich mercy... preserved, restored, [and] pardoned him, words inscribed on his gravestone. How about you? Take a moment to let God know how precious his grace is to you.

Father God, I have not forgotten that you rescued me from a life of despair and self-destruction. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and being merciful to me.

B Y GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF G OD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.

EPHESIANS 2:8-9, KJV

John Newtons spiritual growth was gradual; he continued to be a slave trader for six years after his life-changing experience. In 1764, he was ordained by the Church of England. In 1788, Newton wrote a graphic account of the slave trade to support the antislavery movement. Newton lived to see the slave trade abolished in Britain.

One line in this catchy gospel song describes how Jesus wants to love us because we are precious to him. We are treasured by the Son of God, and he longs to lavish his love upon us. Thats pretty mind-boggling, isnt it? And yet sometimes we block that intimate relationship. Why would we resist the love of God? It could be that we have been hurt before. Possibly were afraid of what responding to the love of Jesus might require. Maybe we have idols and sins in our lives that we arent willing to let go of. What is keeping you from receiving Gods boundless love?

Jesus, I know you want to love me, but I have been pushing you away. Help me to let your love pour in by breaking down the walls Ive built in my heart.

I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF G OD, WHICH IS IN C HRIST J ESUS OUR L ORD.

ROMANS 8:38-39, KJV

Dianne Wilkinson has written more than a thousand gospel songs and has had many number one hits between the Southern Gospel and Bluegrass Gospel charts. For two decades she worked closely with The Cathedrals, the legendary quartet whose knee-slapping version of Boundless Love at a reunion concert is Southern Gospel at its best.

Southern Gospel music is filled with deep awe and gratitude for Jesus sacrifice on the cross, which saves us from eternal separation from God. When Ernie Haase and Signature Sound sing this favorite, their joy is undeniable. Its evident they cannot wait to sing for their Savior when they see him face-to-face. And yet its easy to hear the salvation message so many times that we start to take it for granted. Revisit Calvary and meditate on the extraordinary act of redemption that changed the world forever. Jesus died because he loves you. Let his love flood your heart.

Lord God, I need a personal revival. Help me reclaim my original passion for you. Jesus, I cant thank you enough for saving me from my sins.

G OD MADE C HRIST, WHO NEVER SINNED, TO BE THE OFFERING FOR OUR SIN, SO THAT WE COULD BE MADE RIGHT WITH G OD THROUGH C HRIST.