1 LIFT up your hearts to things above,
Ye followers of the Lamb,
And join with us to praise his love,
And glorify his name.
2 To Jesu’s name give thanks and sing,
Whose mercies never end:
Rejoice! rejoice! the Lord is king;
The King is now our friend!
3 We, for his sake, count all things loss;
On earthly good look down;
And joyfully sustain the cross,
Till we receive the crown.
4 O let us stir each other up,
Our faith by works to approve,
By holy, purifying hope,
And the sweet task of love!
5 Love us, though far in flesh disjoined,
Ye lovers of the Lamb;
And ever bear us on your mind,
Who think and speak the same:
6 You on our minds we ever bear,
Whoe’er to Jesus bow;
Stretch out the arms of faith and prayer,
And lo! we reach you now.
7 Surely we now your souls embrace,
With you we now appear
Present before the throne of grace,
And you, and Christ, are here.
8 The blessings all on you be shed,
Which God in Christ imparts;
We pray the Spirit of our Head
Into your faithful hearts.
9 Mercy and peace your portion be,
To carnal minds unknown,
The hidden manna, and the tree
Of life, and the white stone.
10 Live till the Lord in glory come,
And wait his heaven to share:
Our Saviour now prepares our home:
Go on; – we’ll meet you there.
Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above Video
Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above Song Meaning
Title: Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above by Charles Wesley: A Song of Heavenly Hope and Worship
Introduction:
“Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above” is a beloved hymn written by Charles Wesley, one of the most prolific hymn writers in Christian history. This song encourages believers to set their minds and hearts on heavenly things, praising God’s love and glorifying His name. In this article, we will explore the profound meaning behind the lyrics, the inspiration or story behind the song, and the Bible verses that resonate with its message.
I. The Meaning and Message of “Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above”
– Exploring the lyrics:
The song begins by urging believers to lift their hearts to things above, directing their focus to the heavenly realm rather than earthly concerns. It emphasizes the followers of Jesus as they join together in praise and thanksgiving for His never-ending mercies. The lyrics remind us to rejoice because the Lord is the King and our Friend.
– Spiritual symbolism:
The song’s lyrics liken the believer’s journey to a joyful task of love, sustained by faith and hope. It encourages Christians to count all worldly possessions as loss for the sake of Christ and to bear one another’s burdens, stirring each other up in love and good works. The call to love one another and to pray for each other is also present in the lyrics.
– Heavenly perspective:
“Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above” reminds us to keep our minds fixed on eternal realities rather than temporal circumstances. It encourages believers to endure the challenges of life, sustain the cross, and look forward to receiving the crown of eternal life. The song highlights the importance of maintaining a heavenly perspective and seeking the things of God above all else.
II. The Inspiration Behind “Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above”
– Charles Wesley’s life:
Charles Wesley, along with his brother John Wesley, played a significant role in the Methodist movement. Charles was known for his deep devotion to God and his ability to express spiritual truths through hymns. He wrote thousands of hymns during his lifetime, many of which are still sung today. His inspiration often came from his personal relationship with God and his desire to lead others into a deeper experience of faith.
– The influence of Scripture:
The lyrics of “Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above” are deeply rooted in biblical truth. Charles Wesley’s hymns were often inspired by Scripture, and this song is no exception. It draws upon passages that encourage believers to set their minds on things above, such as Colossians 3:1-2: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
III. Bible Verses Related to “Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above”
– Colossians 3:1-2:
As mentioned earlier, this passage serves as the foundation for the song’s message. It urges believers to seek the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and to set their minds on heavenly things. This verse emphasizes the importance of keeping an eternal perspective in the midst of life’s challenges.
– 1 Peter 1:3-4:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” This verse reinforces the idea of heavenly treasures and the eternal inheritance that awaits believers.
– Philippians 3:20-21:
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” This passage reminds us that our true identity and ultimate destination are found in our heavenly citizenship, awaiting the glorious transformation of our bodies.
– Romans 8:18:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This verse encourages believers to endure the trials and challenges of life, understanding that the glory that awaits us far exceeds anything we may face in this world.
Conclusion:
“Lift Up Your Hearts To Things Above” is a timeless hymn that encourages believers to fix their gaze on heavenly things, praising God’s love and setting their minds on eternal realities. Inspired by Scripture, Charles Wesley penned this hymn to remind Christians of the importance of maintaining a heavenly perspective amidst the distractions of life. As we sing these powerful lyrics, may our hearts be lifted, and may we be reminded of the glorious hope we have in Christ, who is preparing a home for us in heaven.
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