Just Pondering
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Rick Branan |
When I observe your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you set in place,
what is a human being that you remember him,
a son of man that you look after him?
You made him little less than God
and crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalm 8:3-5 (CSBBible)
Francis Pott studied at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he graduated B.A. in 1854, and M.A. in 1857. He was ordained Deacon in 1856, and Priest in 1857. He was Curate of Bishopsworth, Bristol, 1856; of Ardingley, Sussex, 1858; was appointed to Ticehurst in 1861; and is now incumbent of Northill, Bedfordshire. Mr. Pott has made many acceptable translations, and has edited "Hymns Fitted to the Order of Common Prayer, etc.;" a compilation of real merit.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A., 1872
Angel Voices Ever Singing
Angel voices ever singing
round Thy throne of light,
angel harps, forever ringing,
rest not day nor night;
thousands only live to bless Thee
and confess thee Lord of might.
Thou who art beyond the farthest
mortal eye can scan,
can it be that Thou regardest
songs of sinful man?
Can we feel that Thou art near us
and wilt hear us? Yea, we can.
Yea, we know Thy love rejoices
o'er each work of Thine;
Thou didst ears and hands and voices
for Thy praise combine;
craftsman's art and music's measure
for Thy pleasure didst design.
Here, great God, today we offer
of Thine own to Thee;
and for Thine acceptance proffer,
all unworthily,
hearts and minds and hands and voices
in our choicest melody.
Honor, glory, might, and merit
Thine shall ever be,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
blessed Trinity:
of the best that Thou hast given
earth and heaven render Thee.
Written by Francis Pott
My dad always carried great respect in our community. He never sought attention but always carried himself as a man of God. Many times, when I would introduce myself, I would be asked if I was Lynn Branan’s son. It made me proud, but it also made me more aware of my actions and how I needed to make my dad proud.
The psalmist, David, asks the question of God, why would you even think of us, especially when we ponder your creation. The answer, “You made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor.” As God’s children, we are crowned with glory and honor. How can that be? David wrote in Psalm 40, “He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.” God loves His children that much. This is only possible through the blood of Christ, otherwise, we are stuck in the pit. We have an obligation and responsibility to honor and glorify God with our actions. Later in Psalm 40, David gives us the answer, “I delight to do your will, my God, and your instruction is deep within me.”
Francis Pott asked a similar question in our hymn, “Thou who art beyond the farthest mortal eye can scan, can it be that Thou regardest
songs of sinful man?” Why would God even hear us? Because He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins. That should put a song in our hearts and on our lips. It should also remind us that we are His children and our actions should honor and glorify Him.
Are you living for Jesus? Are you obeying His will? Are you singing Him praises?
Just pondering . . . Bro. Rick