During the past few weeks I have become totally bored to death, hearing about the “Irish language.”
Here is, what must be one of the most beautiful hymns and tunes ever produced in the history of true Christianity. It is titled, “Here is Love Vast As The Ocean.”
In the video below, you can hear it sung, first in Welsh, then in English. Can you ever imagine the IRA/MI5 movement forming a choir, then trying to sing this in Irish? What a disaster that would be!
There is a version which is very popular in N.Ireland, it goes by the same tune, but uses different lyrics. The title is, “What tho’ clouds are hov’ring o’er me.”
Strange to say, you cannot find this version of the hymn anywhere on the internet?
1 What tho’ clouds are hov’ring o’er me,
And I seem to walk alone,
Longing ‘mid my cares and crosses,
For the joys that now are flown,
If I’ve Jesus, “Jesus only,”
Then my sky will have a gem;
He’s a Sun of brightest splendor,
And the Star of Bethlehem.
2 What tho’ all my earthly journey
Bringeth naught but weary hours,
And, in grasping for life’s roses,
Thorns I find instead of flow’rs,
If I’ve Jesus, “Jesus only,”
I possess a cluster rare;
He’s the “Lily of the Valley,”
And the “Rose of Sharon” fair.
3 What tho’ all my heart is yearning
For the lov’d of long ago,
Bitter lessons sadly learning
From the shadowy page of woe,
If I’ve Jesus, “Jesus only,”
He’ll be with me to the end;
And, unseen by mortal vision,
Angel bands will o’er me bend.
4 When I soar to realms of glory,
And an entrance I await,
If I’ve followed “Jesus only!”
Wide will ope the pearly gate;
When I join the heav’nly chorus,
And the angel hosts I see,
Precious Jesus, “Jesus only,”
Will my theme of rapture be.
Finally, here is just one of the many Biblical songs which is sung in Hebrew.
The words are from Zech 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
Perhaps we could draw the conclusion, that Hebrew, English and Welsh are languages which are naturally given over, to the singing of “Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual songs,” but we cannot make the same conclusion about the “Irish language” ?
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;