O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Charles Wesley
The great hymn writer Charles Wesley (1707-1788 See: History of Hymns) wrote more than 6,000 hymns, including Christ the Lord is Risen Today, and Hark the Herald Angel Sing. Wesley wrote O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing in 1739, shortly after his conversion.
There have been several melodies written for this song. The most common arrangement in hymnals today was composed by Lowell Mason (1792-1872) in 1839.
Mason was the first music teacher ever hired to teach in an American public school. He wrote more than 1,600 religious works, and is often called the 'Father of American Church Music.'
O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears,
'Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.
“I heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands.” (Revelation 5:11)
