HYMNS FROM THE
SONGS OF GRACE SONG BOOK
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
of DANVILLE

Written by Pastor Don Fortner

INDEX FOR PAGE THREE

PAGE THREE

(72) GREAT GOD, IN ME SHOW FORTH YOUR GRACE Don Fortner Great God, I bow before Your throne, A guilty, helpless wretch undone: Your sov'reign rights as God I own, And hope for grace in Christ, Your Son. Should I for sin reap endless death And prove a vessel of Your wrath, I know that You are just and true For endless death is sin's just due. Lord, You're the Potter, I'm but clay; It's right for You to have Your way: It is Your right to save or kill And grant mercy to whom You will. Prostrate I lie before Your throne; I plead for grace and grace alone: Make me a vessel of mercy Display Your glory, Lord, in me. Great God, in me show forth Your grace: By Christ's shed blood my sin erase, Impute to me His righteousness, Impart to me His holiness. (Tune: Just as I Am) Long Meter 88.88.

(73) REJOICE EVERMORE! Don Fortner Believer, "Rejoice even-more!" The Lord is on His throne: Rejoice in Christ, your Savior King, He watches o'er His own. (Refrain) Believer, "Rejoice evermore!" And "Pray without ceasing!" "In everything give thanks" to God: His praises ever sing. "Pray without ceasing!" Never doubt The Lord will hear your prayer The soul that leans upon the Lord Is under the Lord's care. "In everything give thanks" to God, This is your Father's win: Give thanks to God, Who rules all things His purpose to fulfill. (Tune: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(74) PASS ME NOT Don Fortner Pass me not, O gracious Father! Sinful, wretched though I be: Though You might in truth condemn me, Let Your mercy fall on me. (Refrain) Love of God, so everlasting, Blood of Christ, so rich and free, Grace of God, so strong and saving, Magnify them all in me! Pass me not, O blessed Savior! Let me hear Your gracious call: I'm a guilty, helpless sinner, Savior, at Your feet I fall. Pass me not, O mighty Spirit! You can cause the dead to live: Speak the Word of saving power, Give me faith, and make me live. Pass me not, a poor, lost sinner, If You will, You can save me: Reach down with Your hand of mercy, Saving others, Lord save me. (Tune: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus) Trochaic With Refrain 87.87.

(75) TEACH ME TO PRAY Don Fortner I bend my knees and bow my head, And shut my eyes to all without; But still my heart, so cold and dead, Is full of sin and fear and doubt. I say the words I ought to say, Confess my sin, and long for Thee; But still, I fear, I seldom pray: Teach me to pray, O Lord, teach me. Cause me to know Your grace and pow'r, Spirit of God, awake my heart, Within my soul create a prayer: Give me, O Lord, a fervent heart Here at Your throne of grace I lie, Trusting the merits of Your Son; "Father, Abba, Father," I cry, And hope that I am heaven born. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done," These things, with earnest heart, I say: My only hope is in Your Son: But still, I ask, "Teach me to pray." (Tune: Jesus and Shall It Ever Be?) Long Meter 88.88.

(76) HOLD ME BY YOUR GRACE Don Fortner Dear Lord, I ask for grace Divine, To keep this feeble heart of mine: Let me never forsake my God, Or trample on the Savior's blood. Hold me, Lord, by Your grace, I pray, In the blessed and heavenly way: Let me never forsake Your cause, Though flesh, the world and Satan call. I've seen so many others fall, Who seemed to stand above us all: O Lord, unless You hold me fast, I know I'd be Hke them at last. I am a sinful child of flesh, And I would wither like the grass: Temptation I cannot withstand, Unless You hold me by Your hand. (Tune: Jesus Shall Reign) Long Meter 88.88.

(77) IN REMBERANCE OF CHRIST Don Fortner Your Word, O God, I love to read, Or hear the Bible read to me: Earth's greatest privilege indeed- To have the Book declared to me. The Word is like a fire to melt My heart so cold, and make me groan: Its pow'r is like a hammer felt, And breaks this stubborn heart of stone. God speaks again, His Word reveals The Substitute for sinners slain: Forgiveness by His blood it tells, A balm to heal my heart's great pain. Spirit of God, my Teacher be, Give eyes of faith always to see The Word's great truth and mystery- In every line show Christ to me. Dear Lord, my thanks I give to You, For Your inspired and holy Word, My reverence and allegiance too It claims, the mighty Word of God. (Tune: O Master Let Me Walk with Thee) Long Meter 88.88.

(78) MY SOUL, CONSIDER Don Fortner My soul, consider this great thought- The wondrous works which God has wrought, His works from all eternity, My God has done them all for me! God's special love for all His own Directs the power of His throne: Elect and precious to my God, All things predestined for my good. Redeemed by blood, preserved by power Unto that great appointed hour, When God in mercy came to me, He gave me life and set me free! My God has never, never failed, His grace and power have prevailed; My heart, my soul, my life He holds, By sovereign grace, within His fold. And so, my God, I'll praise Your name, Exalt Your grace, and spread Your fame; Eternal, sovereign love and grace Compel my heart to sing Your praise. (Tune: Sun of My Soul) Long Meter 88.88.

(79) WE WELCOME YOU Don Fortner We welcome you who love our Lord Into our fellowship: We welcome you who preach His Word, And lead us in worship. May God the Spirit grant to us His presence, pow'r and grace; May God the Son now favor us, And let us see His face. O God, our Father, glorify Your own great name, we pray: Your grace and mercy magnify Within our hearts today. If God will grant us this desire, While meeting in His name We'll leave this house with hearts inspired To spread abroad His fame. (Tune: Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?) Common Meter 86.86.

(80) I'M NOT IN BONDAGE NOW Don Fortner Though I was born and lived in sin, A wretched child of wrath, Justly condemned and helpless too, Deserving endless death- Christ freed me from the law's dread curse, I'm not in bondage now! Its terrors I no longer dread, Its wrath I'll never know! Christ is the Lord my Righteousness, Who lived and died for me; Fulfilling all the law's demands, His blood has made me free! That blood, applied, removes my guilt And gives me perfect peace: There's nothing left for me to do, I'm saved by sov'reign grace! I will not live by legal rules, Like slaves who know not God; I am a son, an heir of grace, A sinner bought by blood! The love and grace of God in Christ (The law of ransomed sons) Constrain my heart, most willingly To live for Christ alone. (Tune: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(81) GRATITUDE FOR GRACE PAST AND FUTURE Don Fortner Tempted and tried, by grace I stand, Upheld by God's almighty hand: My grateful heart the past surveys, And I cannot withhold my praise. Father, Your faithfulness I trace By daily tokens of Your grace: Your mercy and Your tender care Opened and crowned and closed the year. The wonders of Your grace I own, And delight in all You have done; By Your bounty, Lord, I've been fed, By Your unerring wisdom led. I commit to Your sovereign reign My days on earth that yet remain: Teach me to know and do'Your will; And by Your grace keep my heart still. Lord, when my time on earth is done, And my eternal rest begun, When I see Christ's most lovely face, Forever I will sing Your praise. (Tune: From Every Stormy Wind that Blows) Long Meter 88.88.

(82) MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND Don Fortner My times are in Thy hand," My God, I want them there: Choose Lord the path that's best for me Throughout my journey here. "My times are in Thy hand," There is no cause for fear: My Father's providence is good, I should be free of care. "My times are in Thy hand," I would submissive be: Forgive my fears, forgive my doubts, Drive unbelief from me! "My times are in Thy hand," My God, do what You will Grant grace to me to honor You, To trust You and be still. (Tune: Blest Be the Tie) Short Meter 66.86.

(83) JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU Don Fortner Jehovah-tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness! We love to call You by that name, Our Savior, Christ Jesus. Jehovah-tsidkenu, The God-Man lived for us, Bringing eternal righteousness Which God imputes to us. Jehovah-tsidkenu, Our Substitute who died! Your blood has put away our sin, And we are justified! Jehovah-tsidkenu, Your love has won our praise. Trusting Your blood and righteousness, We're saved by Your free grace! Jehovah-tsidkenu We stand in You alone. Our only fitness before God Is in our Lord His Son. Jehovah-tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness! Christ Jesus You alone we call The Lord our Righteousness! (Tune: Soldiers of Christ Arise) Short Meter 66.86.D

(84) BURIED WITH CHRIST IN BAPTISM Don Fortner We take our place with Christ, our God, Within the wat'ry grave Buried with Him by symbol now, Who died our souls to save. By this confession we proclaim Our sin and guilt and shame, Our faith in our great Substitute, The Son of God, the Lamb. Arising from the grave, O Christ, To live and walk with You, Our hearts'allegiance now we pledge, Our Lord and King, to You. Sealed by Your Spirit, kept by grace, We'll walk the narrow way: We hope to serve Your cause on earth In this our serving day. Then when Your purpose is fulfilled, And all our work is done, We'll wait Your grace to bring us home To serve before Your throne. (Tune: Jesus the Very Thought of Thee) Common Meter 86.86.

(85) PRAISE TO THE SOVEREIGN TRINITY Don Fortner Sov'reign God, my heav'nly Father, I will bow before no other Chosen and adopted by You God, I shall forever praise You. I will praise my sov'reign Savior For His gracious, loving favor, For His everlasting covenant And His precious blood's atonement. Blessed, sov'reign Holy Spirit, Your grace I could never merit Am I called? Have I been chosen? I will praise the Dove of heaven. I am feeble, frail and sinful, But my God is ever faithful: Sov'reign, Triune God of heaven, By Your grace I am forgiven. (Tune: More Secure is No One Ever) Long Meter Trochaic 88.88

(86) I LOVE YOUR HOLY LAW, MY GOD Don Fortner Love Your holy law, my God, II love it in my heart; And if I could I would obey In spirit every part. Your law is holy, just and good, All perfect and all true; But I'm a weak and sinful wretch: Its works I cannot do. And, yet, Your law condemns me not, It's all been satisfied, By Your own Son, my Substitute, When He for sinners died! In life Christ brought in righteousness, Such as the law required: In death He bore Your dreadful wrath, And there the curse expired! And now Your law's become my friend, Demanding my release: It points to Jesus slain for me, And gives me perfect peace. By faith in Jesus Christ I'm free, From condcmnation free! For all Your law requires of me, Christ Jesus is my plea! (Tune: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(87) WE HAVE AN ADVOCATE Don Fortner We have an Advocate on high, Who with the Father pleads: Yes, Jesus Christ, the righteous One, For sinners intercedes. Christ pleads the merits of His blood For all who own their sin, And pleads His spotless righteousness For all who trust in Him. If we confess our sins to Him, Our Father will forgive: In faithfulness and jusfice too, Through Christ God will forgive. O guilty soul, do not despair, This Advocate's for you! Believe His Word, confess your sin, And God will save you too! Believer, though your sin is great, The blood's sufficient still, God will not charge His own with sin- Our Savior must prevail! (Tune: Immortal Love-Forever Full Common Meter 86.86.

(88) PRECIOUS SAVIOR, COME TO ME Don Fortner Precious Savior, come to me, Let me see Your lovely face, Let me know Your love to me, Let me feel Your strong embrace. 'Waken my cold, sleeping soul, And my languid heart revive: Send Your Spirit, make me whole- Let me feel myself alive! Kiss me with Your kiss of grace, Put your hand into my heart: Jesus, Savior, show Your face, And this deadness will depart! Precious Savior, come to me, Let me see Your lovely face: Let me know Your love to me, Let me feel Your strong embrace. Tune: Take My Life and Let it Be) 77.77.

(89) ALL THY WORKS SHALL PRAISE THEE, O LORD Don Fortner Soon every creature shall show forth The honors of our God: All things in heaven, earth and hell Shall praise the triune God. Every event of providence, And all created things, Shall bow before God's sov'reign throne, And to Him honor bring. The angels, who rebelled against His throne so long ago, Shall fall before God's glorious throne, And there His greatness show. Sinners, who now in enmity Rebel against God's Son, Shall be subdued and bow to Him: You shall His greatness own! In vain you fight against the Lord- Surrender, or be damned! Confess your sin and trust God's Son, Or be forever damned! We all were made to praise our God, And Him we all shall praise, Either as objects of His wrath, Or of His saving grace! (Tune: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(90) NEVER MORE BE FEARFUL Don Fortner Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Reigns upon His throne forever: Nothing ever, ever happens, But for good to Christ's redeemed ones. He Who bought us will protect us; His name is our mighty Fortress: Though our foes be all around us, In His hands Christ safely holds us. Daily food and ample shelter, Jesus promised to His follow'r: Never has a need arisen, But what He supplied from heaven. Christ is full of loving kindness, He is sov'reign, wise and gracious, Faithful to His cov'nant people: Let us never more be fearful. For the honor of our Savior, Let us trust His love and favor: Be content with His provision And the joy of His salvation. (Tune: More Secure is No One Ever) Long Meter Trochaic 88.88.

(91) TEACH ME YOUR WILL Don Fortner Teach me Your will, Lord! Teach me Your will! Whatever it is, Father, reveal: That which You've chosen, I want alone; Not my will, Father, Your will be done. My heart, my life, and all that I own, Savior, I lay it all at Your throne: Broken o'er sin, and forgiven too, My Lord, I gladly give all to You. Spirit of God, take control of me Subdue my flesh, and rule within me: Fill me with strength, and wisdom and grace, That I may live on earth for God's praise. Show me the path, Lord, that's best for me To serve Your cause and magnify Thee: Graciously force me, make me obey, Order my steps to walk in Your way. (Tune: Have Thine Own Way, 99.99

(92) LORD, LOOK ON MY GUILTY SOUL Don Fortner Lord, look not on my guilty soul, I am a man of sin, In thought, in word, in heart, in deed, I'm nothing else but sin: My best desires are only dregs Of my polluted heart; My righteous deeds are filthy rags, Spun from my sinful heart. Yet, if You will I know You can My guilt and sin erase, Through Jesus' blood and righteousness, And save me by Your grace: Oh, God be merciful to me, A guilty wretch undone, Forgive my sin and cleanse my heart Through Jesus Christ Your Son. Lord, look on Christ the Substitute, Who one for sinners died; I have no hope of grace and life, But Jesus crucified- Lord Jesus, I now place my soul Into Your nail-pierced hands; Lord, plead for me and hold me fast In Your almighty hands. (Tune: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(93) HE WHOM THOU LOVEST, IS SICK Don Fortner He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick, His body is in pain: If it can please you, sov'reign Lord, Restore his health again. He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick, Afflicted by Your hand, He knows and trusts Your providence, Comfort him by Your hand. He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick, But You will make his bed, A bed of ease and peace and joy, And nurse his aching head. He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick, The one for whom You died, Make him to know Your strength divine, Your presence at his side. He whom Thou lovest, Lord, is sick, Whatever You deem best, Is what I want for my dear friend, For truly that is best. (Tune: When All Thy Mercies, Oh, My God) Common Meter 86.86.

(94) TEACH ME TO MAGNIFY YOUR NAME Don Fortner Teach me, my Savior, how to live On earth to honor You: Teach me to magnify Your name In all I say, or do. Bridle my tongue by inward grace, That I may not complain Against my Father's providence, Or cause His children pain. Jesus was thoughtful, kind and good While He lived here below: Enable me by deeds of love My Savior's love to show. Yet, Lord, I want more than a show Of outward, moral good: Give me a heart of love and faith, To magnify my God. (Tune: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks) Common Meter 86.86.

(95) IMMANUEL, BLESS YOUR NAME Don Fortner Immanuel, we bless Your name, Our Savior, God and King! Our God a Man like us became That He might mercy bring: The myst'ry we cannot explain- How God became a Man! But His great praise we can proclaim: Christ is both God and Man! God could not suffer, bleed and die To put away man's sin; And man could never satisfy The law's demand for sin: But Christ, the God-Man, bled and died, Instead of His elect; His blood God's law has satisfied And fully paid our debt. The merit of Christ's righteousness, Imputed now to us, Makes us complete in holiness, In Christ God accepts us! Immanuel-God come to save The people of His choice: Immanuel-God who has saved! Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice! (Tune: It Came upon a Midnight Clear) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(96) "WE ARE BOUND TO GIVE THANKS" Don Fortner Thank God for love, His sov'reign love! Unchanging is God's cov'nant love, Which predestined that I should be One of the chosen family. Thank God for grace, His matchless grace, Amazing, free, eternal grace! Grace chose me and devised a way To save me and put sin away. Thank God for blood, His son's own blood, Effectual, sin-atoning blood! The blood of Christ poured out for me Obtained redemption, full and free. Thank God for pow'r, His Spirit's pow'r, Regenerating, saving pow'r! The Spirit's pow'r caused me to live And made me willing to believe. Thank God for peace, His perfect peace! The blood of Christ has brought me peace: My conscience free, my heart at ease, I am redeemed and I have peace. (Tune: Just as I Am) Long Meter 88.88.

(97) THE GOSPEL CALL GOES OUT TO ALL Don Fortner The gospel call goes out to all As sinners hear the Word: Sinner,fall down before Christ's throne, Repent and trust the Lord. Believe on Christ and you'll be saved, The Word of God is true: If you believe on Jesus Christ, His blood was shed for you. But sinners, dead, cannot believe, You have no will or pow'r To trust the Son of God, unless Made willing by His pow'r. May God be pleased in sov'reign grace To send His Spirit down. And by the gospel wake the dead, And take you for His own. (Tune: Majestic Sweetness) Common Meter 86.86.

(98) WHILE WE WERE YET WITHOUT STRENGTH Don Fortner When we were yet without the strength Our souls to help or save, Christ for ungodly, sinful men His life a ransom gave: It was not for a righteous man, Nor even for the good, That Christ laid down His life in death And shed His precious blood. But God commends His love to us, In that Christ Jesus died For us, who were His enemies, To make us justified! Now, since through blood we're justified By Christ's atoning death, Much more we shall be saved in Him From judgement and from wrath. For if when we were enemies Christ's death ended all strife, Much more, since we've been reconciled, He'll save us by His life. Now we rejoice and glory too, And triumph in our God: We have in Jesus Christ received Atonement by His blood! (Tune: Ready) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(99) THE CHURCH OF GOD'S ELECT Don Fortner Behold the house of God's abode, The church of God's elect: A blessed fellowship of love, In Jesus'name we've me The Lamb of God is in our midst; He promised He would be Among His saints where'er they meet, If only two or three. The Triune God who rules the world Here makes His glory known, Through the sacred Word here proclaimed, The Way of life is shown. 'Tis here that God in grace descends To speak to fallen men, And shows the wisdom of His grace To put away man's sin. We raise our songs of praise to God, And wait to hear His Word: Perhaps today, O wondrous thought, We'll hear and see our Lord! (Tune: Amazing Grace) Common Meter 86.86.

(100) THE TRIUNE GOD DESERVES ALL PRAISE Don Fortner The triune God deserves all praise, The Father, Son and Spirit, praise: Let every creature of the earth Show the Creator's matchless worth. And soon it shall be as it should, All creatures will honor our God, The triune God, Who made all things, Shall have His praise from everything. While we await that blessed day, We'll praise our God along the way: We Pfaise You for Your works of grace And for Your providential ways. But more than all our hearts adore The Lamb of God, our saving Lord: In Him we live, to Him we move, In Him we know the God of love. (Tune: I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day) Long Meter 88.88.

(101) FOR OUR CHILDREN WE ARE PLEADING Don Fortner Father, hear a father's pleading, Hear a mother's earnest cry: For our children we are pleading, Gracious Lord, don't let them die. We seek neither wealth nor honor For them in this world of strife; But through Jesus Christ our Savior, Give them, Lord, eternal life. Lord, we tremble for our children, For we know their woeful case: Theirs are hearts full of corruption, Part of Adam's fallen race. We are helpless, Lord, to save them, We cannot their hearts renew: If You will, Lord, You can save them; Nothing is too hard for you. Lord, we would not be demanding, Or presume upon Your grace, But our hearts for them are bleeding, Our dear children need Your grace. We commit them to Your mercy, And we leave them in Your care: If it can be for Your glory, God, we pray, our children spare! (Tune: Brethren, We Have Met to worship) 87.87 Double

(102) WE BLESS THE HOLY, TRIUNE GOD Don Fortner We bless the name of our Great God For His electing love, Who has predestined everything To save the ones He loves. We bless the name of Jesus Christ, Our Savior and our King, Who died the chosen race to save And free salvation bring. We bless the Holy Spirit too, Who seals the covenant grace To all the chosen, ransomed ones By His effectual grace. We bless the holy, triune God, The sacred Three in One, T'he Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, For all that You have done. Electing love, redeeming blood, And mighty, saving grace, We trace to You our sovereign God, And joy to sing Your praise. (Tune: On Jordan's Stormy Banks) Common Meter 86.86.

(103) EL-SHADDAI Don Fortner El-Shaddai, God almighty is, None can resist His will: None can restrain His sovereign work, Or say to Him, "Be still." El-Shaddai, God redeemed us by His Son's effectual blood: There's saving power in that blood- We're reconciled to God! El-Shaddai, God has called us by Has mighty, sovereign grace: His Spirit raised us from the dead, And keeps us now by grace. El-Shaddai, God in whom we trust, Almighty, sovereign Lord, You are our Shield and our Defense, Our great, Almighty God! (Tune: When I Can Read My Title Clear) Common Meter 86.86.

(104) DEAR SAVIOR, HEAR YOUR SERVANT'S PRAYER Don Fortner Dear Savior, hear Your servant's prayer And grant my heart's requests: Give me a heart true and sincere, A heart of brokenness. My sin subdue by pow'r Divine And break my inward pride; Contrite lay me down at Your feet; There cause me to abide. Make me to be a humbled child, Submissive to my Lord, Content with what my God supplies, And weaned from all the world. Christ Jesus, fix my heart on You, My Savior and my God: Oh, let me nothing seek or serve, Except Your honor, Lord. Give me a heart of love for all Who worship at Your throne, A love that covers every fault And truly serves Your own. Savior, I want a heart like Yours, Faithful and tender too; Forgiving men, denying self, Lord, I would be like You. (Tune: I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say) Common Meter Double 86.86.D

(105) WE BRING OUR GIFTS WITH LOVE Don Fortner Our God, we bring these gifts to You With willing hearts of love: Redeemed by blood and saved by grace, We bring our gifts of love. Without the least constraint of law, Without hope of return, We freely from our God receive, And freely we return. All that we have we have as stewards, And we would be faithful To use what You have loaned to us For Christ and His gospel. As Jesus sacrificed for us And freely gave His all, Teach us, O Lord, to sacrifice, Teach us to give our all. As You once multiplied the loaves To give so many food, So multiply our meager gifts And use them for much good. (Tune: Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone) Common Meter 86.86.