1 Praise to thee, O dear Redeemer,
For the riches of thy grace;
Bow, my soul, no idle dreamer,
Worship him who saved the race;
He who reigned with God on high,
He who laid his glory by:
Sing his praises, sing his praises,
Sing of him who came to die.
2 How shall mortal man adore thee,
Thou the high, Immortal One?
Sinful dust might bow before thee
While the countless ages run;
Yet 'twere vain to worship thee
Unless love the motive be.
O my Saviour! O my Saviour!
Grant this gift of love to me.
3 Vain are all the words I've spoken,
Lord, to show that love is mine;
Godly life shall be the token
Of my love for things divine.
This I covet, this bestow,
Strength to live aright below;
Then how much thy child doth love thee,
O my Saviour, thou shalt know!
Source: The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book: for use in divine worship #133
Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >
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