Our G-d, Our Help in Ages Past

Our Hope and Inspiration, the World to Come


'Angel Musicians' -- Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck. I like the portrayal of rich color and music in a Heavenly scene.

"Death is merely moving from one home to another. The wise spend the main efforts of life trying to make their future home, the more beautiful one." -- The Kotzker Rebbe

Our G-d, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art G-d,
To endless years the same.

Thy Word commands our flesh to dust,
“Return, ye sons of men:”
All nations rose from earth at first,
And turn to earth again.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

The busy tribes of flesh and blood,
With all their lives and cares,
Are carried downwards by the flood,
And lost in following years.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

Like flowery fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light;
The flowers beneath the mower’s hand
Lie withering ere ‘tis night.

Our G-d, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

This hymn was sung at the fun­er­al of for­mer Bri­tish prime min­is­ter Win­ston Church­ill in St. Paul’s Ca­thed­ral, Lon­don, 1965.


Functional organ pipes in a leaded window. Design by Xaver Wilhelmy, illustration by Bob Kirchman.

A Day to Pray

Pastor Rick Warren's Inaugural Prayer

He dared to pray "in Jesus' Name" and voiced the sentiments of many of us. Pastor Rick Warren's Inaugural Prayer [click to listen] was a plea for G-d's guidance to us as a nation and particularly for our newly elected leaders. No doubt Barack Obama has studied Abraham Lincoln and how he sought divine wisdom during some of our country's most difficult years.

After the swearing in ceremony, the President dined with members of congress in statuary hall. Two senior senators experienced medical emergencies and many came to their aid, comforted them and prayed for them. Many of us watching at home are praying as well.

Our nation faces many challenges in the days ahead. May we always hold her and her leaders in prayer!

Here is Dr. Albert Mohler's Prayer for President Obama [click to read]

"Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2]."

Praying for our leaders is a serious charge. But I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the 'other' controversial prayers of this inauguration:

Bishop Robinson Prayed to His 'Higher Power' at a pre-inauguration ralley according to Dr. Albert Mohler. Whereas Rick Warren was very specific in who he prayed to, Bishop Robinson sought to avoid saying a "Christian" prayer and instead addressed "The God of our many understandings," a reference he learned from twelve step programs.

"The crisis in the Church of England is that too many of its bishops, and some would say of its archbishops, don't quite realize that they are atheists, but have begun to suspect it." -- Clive James

Rev. Joseph Lowery Offered this Benediction: "black will not be asked to get in back, brown can stick around, yellow will be mellow, red man can get ahead, man, and white will embrace what is right..." It sounded like a sixties style civil rights ralley. He's a great man who marched with Dr. King, but here we are in the Twenty-first Century when an African-American is Commander-in-chief [with the votes of many white people]. I don't think Reverend Lowery was trying to offend -- just offering a little historical perspective from the sixties.


My Hope is in 'Amazing Grace.'
Wintley Phipps is an amazing vocal talent.

The Next Day at the National Prayer Service: Wintley Phipps Sang 'Amazing Grace.' [click to listen] It was a stirring benediction all its own. Phipps begins by humming the melody that invokes the song of slaves John Newton was likely to have been inspired by. The "many dangers, toils and snares" of opression, the work of William Wilberforce, countless unnamed abolitionists and many more have brought us to a point in history where a man of African ancestory may become a world leader.

Here is More Background on 'Amazing Grace' as explained by Wintley Phipps. I love the song. It begins in the lowest history of mankind and carries us to the world of glory foretold in Revelation 21! Wintley Phipps' rendition sends chills down my spine and brings tears to my eyes. It is a powerful performance of a timeless masterpiece by a master artist!

Presidential Limousines


I want to know the mpg of this car.
It looks like a caddie, but the specs
sound more like those of a Bradley
armored vehicle.

Here is a Very Interesting Look at Past Presidential Limousines

The Poem

Here's a Piece on Elizabeth Alexander's Poem from City Journal's Stefan Kanfer.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less...

"For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is G-d."

Last night our small group Bible study was discussing the wonderful promise found in Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21 and 22. It is the promise of a renewed Heaven and Earth where G-d is the light that illuminates human activity. This morning I read from Hebrews 11 and 12. As much as we labor to build human institutions and invest in their success, they are bound to fall short of our hopes for them. History tells us so.

Here is a promise that will carry the believer through the most difficult and uncertain times. Here is the passion to carry on:

Hebrews 11

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 12

1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

11Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29For our God is a consuming fire.

[King James Version]