A Very Special July 4th Hymn

 

                                 A Very Special July 4th Hymn

Just before he died, Moses spoke to his people to remind them to always trust God when facing their enemies.

He said, "Do not be afraid...the LORD your God who is going before you, He will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until the day you reached this place" (Deuteronomy 1:31).

In 1876, an Episcopal priest in Vermont wrote a famous hymn titled "God of Our Fathers" to help celebrate the July 4th centennial of our Declaration of Independence. 

It was later chosen as the theme hymn for the celebration of the centennial of the adoption of the US Constitution.

His name was Daniel Roberts. He was born in 1841 and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Our country's devotion to God and God's devotion to us (as our Father) is what inspired him to write this wonderful hymn for July 4, 1876. 

I remember our bicentennial on July 4, 1976...sadly I don't remember a special hymn written for that occasion, do you? What about for today? 

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before Thy throne arise. 

Thy love divine hath led us in the past. In this free land by Thee our lot is cast. Be Thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide and Stay. Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. 

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense. Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way Lead us from night to never-ending day. Fill all our lives with love and grace divine. And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.