"I Will Praise Him"

“Songs My Father Sang”

I Will Praise Him

One of the primary topics in music in the church today is “Praise” music. “Praise” choruses and songs abound. This is nothing new....people have been praising God in song since….well, whenever the first praise song was sung! I think that goes back to the creation. Whenever praise songs started does not really matter.

What matters is that I praise the Lord! One song that dad Thomassen often sang was “I Will Praise Him.” Sometimes we sang all the verses….actually you should to get the whole picture. Other times just the chorus; other times the 5th verse and chorus. This chorus would often be used in medley with other choruses.

I like the 5th verse because it addresses each member of the Trinity.

I think this chorus would work today in conjunction with other current choruses. Try it….you’ll introduce something “new” to many people!

Say: “I will praise Him!”

I Will Praise Him

Text and Music: Mrs. M. J. Harris (Margaret Jenkins Harris) (1865-1919)

1. When I saw the cleansing fountain
Open wide for all my sin,

I obeyed the Spirit’s wooing,

When He said, “Wilt thou be clean?”


Refrain

I will praise Him,
I will praise Him,
Praise Him,
Praise the Lamb for sinners slain;
Give Him glory, all ye people,
For His blood has washed away my stain


2. Though the way seemed straight and narrow,
All I claimed was swept away;
My ambition, plans and wishes,
At my feet in ashes lay.
3. Then God’s fire upon the altar
Of my heart was set aflame;
I shall never cease to praise Him,
Glory, glory to His Name!


4. Blessed be the Name of Jesus!
I’m so glad He took me in;
He has pardoned my transgressions,
He has cleansed my heart from sin.


5. Glory, glory to the Father!
Glory, glory to the Son!
Glory, glory to the Spirit!
Glory to the Three In One!

The composer:

Margaret Jenkins Harris composed both the words and music in 1898. Born on July 31st, 1865 in Rushville, Illinois, she died on January 13th, 1919 in Miami, Florida.With her husband, song-writer John Harris, she was active in holiness meetings, and they were song evangelists at the 1901 General Holiness Convention in Chicago. Margaret played the organ to accompany their duets. She was known as an effective preacher with strong messages.

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times;His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 86:12 I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.

Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.