HYMN OF THE MONTH:
On Jordan's Stormy Banks
by Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795
Samuel Stennett was born in Exeter, England, in 1727, into a remarkable family of Baptist pastors. His great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and older brother were all ministers, and Samuel followed them into ministry.
As Baptists, the Stennetts worshiped outside the established Church of England and did not always enjoy the same opportunities as those within it. Yet Samuel became a respected pastor and scholar—and even a friend of King George III.
In 1787, at about sixty years old, Stennett wrote “The Promised Land,” later known as “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand.” Published under the heading “Heaven Anticipated,” the hymn uses Israel’s journey across the Jordan into Canaan as a picture of the Christian anticipating heaven. Stennett pictured a beautiful country where Christ reigns and sickness, sorrow, pain, and death are gone forever.
Stennett’s original hymn contained seven stanzas and no refrain. After crossing the Atlantic, it became especially popular in America and a favorite at camp meetings. American singers later added the familiar chorus beginning, “I am bound for the promised land!” More than two centuries later, Stennett’s hymn still gives Christians words to express their joyful anticipation of the heavenly home promised to all who trust in Christ for salvation.
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Read & Relate
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
By Helen Lemmel, 1863-1961
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!
Numbers 21:8-9; Matthew 11:28; John 8:12; John 10:10
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Colossians 3:1–2; Philippians 3:8
Through death into life everlasting,
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion--
For more than conqu’rors we are!
Romans 6:8–9; Romans 6:14; Romans 8:37; John 11:25-26
His Word shall not fail you--He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Isaiah 40:8; Hebrews 10:23; Mark 16:15; Romans 1:16 Ephesians 2:-5
