Here are my completed Hymnals:
Presbyterian 1955 Hymnbook: http://amzn.to/2zSRdpL
Episcopal 1940 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DEOl1H
Broadman 1940 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2C1WuwK
Lutheran 1941 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2zUmYi2
Methodist 1939 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2CfJ1Wq
Pilgrim 1935 Hymnal: http://amzn.to/2DDvbJC
Now Sings My Soul, New Songs for the Lord by: Linda Bonney Olin: http://amzn.to/2DQ6gUy
Here are my new projects:
Choice Hymns of the Faith 1945 http://amzn.to/2Dx97nA
J S Bach Riemenschneider 371 Harmonized Chorales http://amzn.to/2DSy5f9
References:
Dictionary of Hymnology: http://amzn.to/2BxPabk
Text by: Phineas Fletcher 1633
Tune: Song 46 by: Orlando Gibbons 1623
https://youtu.b v832PFQsSys e/
- Drop, drop, slow tears,
and bathe those beauteous feet,
which brought from heav’n
The news and Prince of Peace.2. Cease not, wet tears,
His mercies to entreat;
to cry for vengeance:
Sin doth never cease.3. In your deep floods
drown all my faults and fears;
nor let his eye
see sin, but through my tears.
This hymn is often reserved for Lent or Good Friday services, however, it is even more appropriate for passages such as Luke 7:36-50 in addition to the many Psalms which deal with sorrowful repentance.
It was written by the poet Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650) who served at the church at King’s College in Cambridge, England. Phineas and his brother Giles established the English prose tradition which highly influenced John Milton. Though Phineas was one of the most prolific writers of his time, very little is currently read; this hymn is his most famous work.
Luke 7:36-50
36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
When the full knowledge and acknowledgement of our sins weighs heavily on our hearts, then true repentance can follow. This woman knew her sin, and she also knew from where her forgiveness would come. Her joy in this drove her to the feet of Jesus. The Pharisee, Simon, couldn’t believe his guest he barely honored would tolerate such a display, especially from one with such a reputation as this woman. She washed his dirty feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She had nothing, but what she did have, her tears and her own hair were freely shared at the service of the one who restored her, the Prince of Peace.
Simon, who didn’t extend even the commonest of courtesies to his barely honored guest, water to wash his feet and a kiss of greeting, was offended that this supposed prophet would allow a sinful women to touch him in such a manner. The sin of Simon, the sin of pride cried out against this woman.
And Jesus rebuked Simon with a tale of two debtors. One owed a lifetime’s worth of wages and another owed a couple years of wages. Both debtors were forgiven by the king. And who is most grateful for this forgiveness? The one with the greater debt. This Prince of Peace, this forgiver of sins, sees not our sins in our tears, but He sees our hearts broken. In the end He says the most improbable thing: “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you.” Who is this person who can even forgive sins?
