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This is hymn 24 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 24: THAT WONDERFUL NAME

1. That wonderful name, Jesus!
That wonderful name, Jesus!
That wonderful name, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

2. The Great Redeemer, Jesus!
His blood washed me clean, Jesus!
And now I am saved, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

3. The Great Physician, Jesus!
His stripes health me, Jesus!
And now I am whole, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

4. The Great Lord of Host, Jesus!
His truth set me free, Jesus!
I am free indeed, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

5. The Great Provider, Jesus!
He supplies my needs, Jesus!
And now 1 am full, Jesus
There is no other name I know.

6.My Great Companion, Jesus!
Always by my side, Jesus!
I have a sure Friend, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

7. The Soon Coming King, Jesus!
Coming back for me, Jesus!
I will reign with Him, Jesus!
There is no other name I know.

8. Let us praise His Name, Jesus!
Name above all Name, Jesus!
Let us shout His Name, Jesus!
I will sing I will shout, JESUS!

THAT WONDERFUL NAME HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this jubilant hymn, “That Wonderful Name, Jesus,” is a powerful and repetitive declaration of the supremacy and sufficiency of our Savior. It is less a linear narrative and more a spiraling celebration, with each verse unveiling another facet of His glory and another benefit we receive through His Name. It is a hymn that builds from a simple confession into a triumphant shout, reminding us that every need of the human soul is met completely in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to meditate on the multifaceted power of Jesus’ name, to testify to His specific works in our lives, and to engage in joyful, repetitive praise that drives His supremacy deep into our hearts. It is a hymn of personal testimony, spiritual warfare, and eschatological hope, all centered on one name.

1. It is a Hymn of Exclusive Devotion (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a burst of adoration for the name itself: “That wonderful name, Jesus!” The triple repetition is an expression of awe and love. This leads to the foundational confession of Christian faith: “There is no other name I know.” This is a statement of exclusive loyalty and trust. In a world of many options, philosophies, and saviors, our hope, our song, and our allegiance are fixed on one name alone—the name given above every name (Philippians 2:9).

2-6. It is a Hymn of Personal Testimony to His Offices (Verses 2-6)
Each subsequent verse pairs a majestic title of Christ with a personal, present-tense testimony of what He has done for me:

• The Great Redeemer: I am saved; His blood washed me clean.
• The Great Physician: I am whole; His stripes healed me.
• The Great Lord of Hosts: I am free indeed; His truth liberated me.
• The Great Provider: I am full; He supplies my needs.
• My Great Companion: I have a sure Friend; He is always by my side.
  This structure is profoundly instructive. It shows that doctrine is not dry; it is the truth that saves, heals, frees, provides, and companions. Each verse ends with the same anchoring refrain, emphasizing that all these blessings flow from the one, wonderful Name.

7. It is a Hymn of Blessed Hope and Future Glory (Verse 7)
The testimony looks forward to the culmination of our faith. He is “The Soon Coming King” who is personally “Coming back for me.” Our present relationship leads to a future destiny: “I will reign with Him.” Even our eternal hope is secured by and focused on this same wonderful Name.

8. It is a Hymn of Ecstatic, Universal Praise (Verse 8)
The final verse is a call to corporate, unrestrained worship. We are called to “praise,” to acknowledge His supremacy (“Name above all Name”), and to “shout His Name.” The personal testimony (“I will sing I will shout”) bursts forth into public proclamation. The hymn ends as it began—with the focus squarely on “JESUS!”

A Word for Your Spirit Today

What is your need today?

• Do you feel guilty or stained? Call on your Great Redeemer.
• Are you broken in body, mind, or spirit? Call on your Great Physician.
• Are you bound by fear, habit, or lies? Call on the Great Lord of Hosts.
• Are you anxious about a lack? Call on your Great Provider.
• Are you lonely or afraid? Acknowledge your Great Companion.
• Are you weary of the world’s brokenness? Look for your Soon Coming King.

This hymn teaches us to take our needs to the specific aspect of Christ’s character that meets them, all while remembering that He is one wonderful, all-sufficient Savior. Let your prayer today be the simple, powerful repetition of His name. Let your testimony be: “I am clean, whole, free, full, and befriended because of Jesus.” There is truly no other name.

Shout it, sing it, trust in it: the wonderful name of JESUS.

In the all-sufficient name of Jesus, Amen.

This is hymn 23 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 23: TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE

1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.

3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.

6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this hymn is perhaps the most comprehensive and personal prayer of surrender in all of hymnody. “Take My Life and Let It Be” is not a general statement of belief but a specific, clause-by-clause offering of every facet of our being to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It moves from the abstract offering of our life to the concrete surrender of our hands, feet, voice, possessions, mind, will, heart, and love. It is the practical outworking of what it means to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to vocalize a prayer of full surrender, to audit the areas of our life we may be withholding from God, and to dedicate ourselves afresh to His service. It is a hymn of discipleship that challenges superficial commitment and calls for wholehearted, practical devotion.

1. It is a Hymn of Time and Being (Verse 1)
The prayer begins with the totality of existence: “Take my life.” This is not about a single moment, but a state of being: “consecrated, Lord, to thee.” It then gets practical, asking for our “moments and my days”—the very fabric of our time—to be channels of “endless praise.” Our life is to become a continuous liturgy of worship, where ordinary time is infused with divine purpose.

2. It is a Hymn of Action and Direction (Verse 2)
We surrender our instruments of work and movement. Our “hands” are to be motivated not by selfish ambition or mere habit, but “at the impulse of thy love.” Our “feet” are to be directed by His purposes, making our journey through life “swift and beautiful for thee.” Our activity finds its true meaning and grace when it is guided by His Spirit.

3. It is a Hymn of Expression and Proclamation (Verse 3)
We offer our primary means of communication. Our “voice” is to be dedicated in its content (“always, only, for my King”) and our “lips” are to be vessels for “messages from thee.” This consecrates our speech, our witness, and our song to be used for His glory and the declaration of His truth, not our own opinions or complaints.

4. It is a Hymn of Resources and Capacities (Verse 4)
The surrender gets costly, touching our possessions (“silver and my gold”) and our mental faculties (“intellect”). We declare “not a mite would I withhold,” echoing the widow’s offering (Luke 21:1-4). We also surrender our reasoning, creativity, and skills, asking God to “use every power as thou shalt choose.” Our smarts and our stuff are tools for His kingdom.

5. It is a Hymn of Sovereignty and Identity (Verse 5)
This is the core of the surrender: the will and the heart. We pray for our stubborn “will” to be aligned with God’s, relinquishing ownership: “it shall be no longer mine.” We then offer our “heart,”the seat of our affections and desires, to be “thy royal throne.” We invite Christ to reign supremely from the very center of our emotional and spiritual life, displacing all other loves and loyalties.

6. It is a Hymn of Culmination and Essence (Verse 6)
The prayer culminates by offering the very wellspring of action: our “love.” We pour out its “treasure store” at His feet, acknowledging He is the only worthy recipient of our deepest affection. The final line is the ultimate summary: “Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”This is the goal: a unified person, wholly dedicated, in perpetual and exclusive devotion to Christ.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Is there a part of your life you have cordoned off from God’s control? Your time? Your finances? Your career ambitions? Your relationships? Your secret thoughts?

Let this hymn be your prayerful checklist today. Sing it slowly, meaning each word. Pause at each verse and ask the Lord: “Have I truly given you my feet to direct? My lips to fill? My will to shape?”

This is not a prayer to be sung lightly, but it is the prayer that leads to true freedom and purpose. As you offer each part, you are not losing yourself; you are finding your true self in His service. Offer yourself anew. The King awaits your total surrender, and in it, you will find your highest joy and your greatest usefulness.

Ever, only, all for Thee.

In the name of Jesus, our Lord and rightful King, Amen.

This is hymn 22 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 22: SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, in the relentless rush and “world of care” that demands our attention, this hymn offers a sacred counter-rhythm. “Sweet Hour of Prayer” is not merely a song about prayer; it is an invitation into an experience. It beautifully portrays prayer not as a duty, but as a divine summons to intimate communion—a sweet, restorative retreat where burdens are lifted, battles are won, and the soul finds its true home in the Father’s presence.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to cultivate a longing for deep, sustained communion with God. It reframes prayer from a transactional request line into a relational sanctuary, reminding us of its practical power, its shared joy, and its foundation in God’s faithful character. It is an anthem for those who have discovered that the most productive hour is often the one spent on our knees.

1. It is a Hymn of Divine Invitation and Personal Relief (Verse 1)
Prayer is first presented as a gracious call: it “calls me from a world of care.” It is an escape, not from responsibility, but from anxiety. We are bid to come boldly to “my Father’s throne”—a place of both majesty and familial love—where we can transparently “make all my wants and wishes known.” The testimony that follows is powerfully practical: prayer provides “relief” in distress and is a means of spiritual victory, allowing the soul to escape “the tempter’s snare.” The “sweet hour” is not an optional luxury; it is a necessary refuge for survival and sanity.

2. It is a Hymn of Communal Joy and Anticipatory Longing (Verse 2)
This verse reveals that the sweetness of prayer is both personal and corporate. The singer shares in the “bliss” of fellow believers whose “anxious spirits burn with strong desires for thy return!”There is a holy camaraderie among those who value this communion. Together, they “hasten to the place”—not necessarily a physical location, but the spiritual posture—“where God my Savior shows his face.” Prayer is eagerly anticipated, a station gladly taken, because it is there we behold Him. It transforms duty into delight.

3. It is a Hymn of Confident Faith and Complete Surrender (Verse 3)
Here, the hymn uses the beautiful metaphor of prayer having “wings” that carry our petitions to God. Our confidence to pray is not in our eloquence, but in God’s “truth and faithfulness” to receive and answer according to His perfect will. Prayer is our obedient response to His command: “he bids me seek his face.” Our part is to “believe his word, and trust his grace.” This belief leads to the ultimate release: “I’ll cast on him my every care” (1 Peter 5:7). The sweet hour of prayer is where the transfer of burdens from our shoulders to His mighty hands is completed.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Have you allowed your prayer life to become hurried, shallow, or inconsistent? Has the “world of care” drowned out the call to the Father’s throne? Let this hymn rekindle a holy desire within you.

See your time of prayer not as another item on a checklist, but as a sweet, scheduled escape to where your Savior shows His face. Do you feel the tempter’s snare tightening? Hasten to that place. Are you carrying a care that is bending your spirit? Use this hour to cast it upon Him, winging it to the throne on the prayers He Himself invites.

Begin to think of it as your sweet hour—a non-negotiable appointment of relief, joy, and warfare. Whether it is sixty minutes or a focused sixty seconds, let it be sweet. For in that place, you exchange your anxiety for His peace, your weakness for His strength, and your loneliness for the joy of His face.

Answer the call. Your sweet hour of prayer awaits.

In the name of Jesus, our access to the Father, Amen.

This is hymn 21 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 21: STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING

1. Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.
[Refrain]

3. Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
[Refrain]

4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
[Refrain]

STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF CHRIST MY KING HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, in a world of uncertainty, shifting opinions, and unstable foundations, the child of God has been given an immovable place to stand. This vibrant hymn, “Standing on the Promises of Christ My King,” is a declaration of confidence, a strategy for warfare, and a testimony of security. It directs us away from the sinking sand of our circumstances and feelings to the solid rock of God’s covenantal promises in Christ.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to affirm our active faith in the reliability of God’s Word, to fortify ourselves against spiritual attack, and to celebrate the stability and victory that come from basing our entire life on what God has said. It is a hymn of defiance against doubt and a proclamation of triumph through truth.

1. It is a Hymn of Eternal Praise and Present Position (Verse 1)
Our standing is not on a philosophy, but on a person and his pronouncements: “the promises of Christ, my King.” This position of security is the very grounds for our eternal praise—“Through eternal ages let his praises ring.” Because His promises are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20), our praise can be confident and ceaseless. The act of “standing” is the posture of faith that actively receives and relies upon what God has spoken. We glory, shout, and sing from this secure foundation.

2. It is a Hymn of Unfailing Assurance in Spiritual Storms (Verse 2)
This verse tests our foundation against life’s fiercest gales: “the howling storms of doubt and fear.” When these assail, the character of the promise is our defense: they “cannot fail.” Our prevailing power is not found in positive thinking, but in the “living Word of God” (Hebrews 4:12)—the active, powerful, and eternal truth that silences lies and calms the soul. In the storm, we do not retreat; we stand firmer on the specific promise that counteracts the specific fear.

3. It is a Hymn of Bound Security and Daily Conquest (Verse 3)
Our standing is not a cold, legal transaction; it is the fruit of a loving, eternal union. We are “Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord.” This secure relationship equips us for daily conflict. The “Spirit’s sword,” which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), is our weapon for “overcoming daily.”Our daily victories in holiness and spiritual warfare are achieved not by our strength, but by wielding the very promises upon which we stand. The promise and the weapon are one and the same.

4. It is a Hymn of Gracious Rest and Constant Communion (Verse 4)
The result of this firm standing is not a tense, anxious grip, but a blessed “Resting in my Savior as my all in all.” Because we “cannot fall” from the platform of His faithful Word, we can rest. This rest is dynamic, involving a listening ear “ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call” for guidance and encouragement. Our standing is both firm and intimate—a place of security that is also a place of close fellowship with Christ.

The Refrain: The Heart’s Steadfast Confession
The repeated, emphatic “Standing, standing” is more than a lyric; it is a confession of faith, a mantra for the soul under pressure. It reaffirms our choice and our position: we are planted on the promises of God our Savior.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you facing a storm of doubt, fear, or circumstance that threatens to sweep you off your feet? This hymn calls you to plant yourself—to consciously, deliberately stand—on a specific promise of God.

Open His Word. Find a promise that speaks to your need. It may be a promise of His presence (Hebrews 13:5), His provision (Philippians 4:19), His peace (John 14:27), or His power (Isaiah 41:10). Choose to stand on it. Declare it against the howling wind. Wield it as your sword against the enemy’s lies.

You are bound to Christ by love. You cannot fall. You can rest. So, stand firm today, not on your own resolve, but on the eternal, unfailing, living promises of your King. From that position, your praise will ring out, and your victory is sure.

Stand firm in the Lord.

In the name of Jesus, the Amen to all God’s promises, Amen.

This is hymn 20 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 20: STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS

1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.

3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next, the victor’s song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.

STAND UP! STAND UP FOR JESUS HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, today’s hymn is not a quiet meditation but a stirring battle cry and a clear call to action. “Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus” was born from a preacher’s dying words, transforming a personal exhortation into a timeless anthem for the Church. It addresses us not as bystanders but as enlisted “soldiers of the cross,” clarifying our identity, our duty, our strength, and our guaranteed victory in the spiritual conflict of this age.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to awaken our spiritual courage, to reaffirm our active duty in God’s army, and to fortify our resolve with the certainty of Christ’s ultimate triumph. It is a hymn for times of moral compromise, spiritual lethargy, and cultural opposition—a rallying call to visible, courageous faithfulness.

1. It is a Hymn of Identity and Unceasing Advance (Verse 1)
Our primary identity is martial: we are “soldiers of the cross.” Our first duty is to “lift high his royal banner”—to proclaim Christ’s kingship openly and unashamedly, ensuring His truth “must not suffer loss.” The hymn paints a picture of divinely-led momentum: “From vict’ry unto vict’ry his army he shall lead.” Our standing is not a desperate hold but part of a forward march toward the ultimate goal: the total defeat of every foe and the universal acknowledgment “that Christ is Lord indeed.” We stand in a winning campaign.

2. It is a Hymn of Urgent Obedience and Unflinching Courage (Verse 2)
The call to stand is a “trumpet call”—urgent, clear, and commanding obedience. We are to step “forth to the mighty conflict” recognizing the present time as “his glorious day,” the era of gospel advance. The conflict is real and the foes are “unnumbered,” yet the call is for courage that “rise[s] with danger” and for spiritual strength that actively “oppose[s]” the enemy. This is a call for valor, especially to “men” (meaning all believers of spiritual maturity) to serve with resolve.

3. It is a Hymn of Divine Strength and Spiritual Armor (Verse 3)
Here lies the secret to standing: “stand in his strength alone.” The hymn delivers a crucial warning: “the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.” Self-reliance is the path to certain defeat. Instead, we are commanded to “Put on the gospel armor” of Ephesians 6:10-18. Critically, this is not a passive act; each piece must be taken up “with prayer,” indicating our active, dependent engagement with God to be fitted for battle. Our posture must be one of readiness: “where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.”

4. It is a Hymn of Eternal Perspective and Sure Reward (Verse 4)
The hymn lifts our eyes from the present skirmish to the imminent and eternal victory. “The strife will not be long.” The “noise of battle” is temporary; the “victor’s song” is eternal. This hope is sealed with a promise from Scripture: “To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be” (Revelation 2:10). Our faithful standing leads to an unimaginable reward: co-reigning “with the King of glory… eternally.” The battle is fierce but short; the reign is glorious and everlasting.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Are you feeling pressured to be silent about your faith? Are you weary from the constant spiritual conflict in your heart, home, or community? This hymn sounds the trumpet for you.

Stand up. Identify yourself unashamedly with Jesus. Lift His banner in your speech and conduct. But remember, you are not called to stand in your own passion or wisdom. You will fail. You must stand in His strength alone. Today, consciously put on the full armor of God through prayer—truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of the Spirit. Then, face your duty and your dangers with courage.

The battle is real, but the outcome is certain. Stand firm today, soldier of the cross, for your Captain leads you from victory to victory, and a crown of life awaits.

In the mighty name of Jesus, our conquering King and Captain, Amen.

This is hymn 17 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

HYMN 17: PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN

1. Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!

2. Praise him for his grace and favor
to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Allelvia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!

3. Fatherlike he tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hand he gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!

4. Angels, help us to adore him;
you behold him face to face.
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!

PRAISE MY SOUL THE KING OF HEAVEN HYMN COMMENTARY

Beloved in Christ, this majestic hymn, “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” serves as both a personal command and a universal summons. It begins by addressing the individual soul and ends by calling all creation into the chorus. It is a hymn that beautifully bridges the intimate, personal experience of God’s mercy with His glorious, eternal character as the sovereign King. It teaches us that true praise is rooted in what we have personally received from His hand.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to command our own souls into the posture of worship, to recount the specific benefits of God’s grace in our lives, and to join our voices with the whole created order in adoration of the God who is both tenderly personal and majestically infinite.

1. It is a Hymn of Personal Redemption and Imperative Praise (Verse 1)
The hymn opens with a direct command to the self: “Praise, my soul.” Worship starts with a decision of the will, directing our innermost being to engage. We are to bring tribute to the King, not as distant subjects, but as those who have experienced His transformative power. The four-fold testimony is our resume for praise: “Ransomed” from slavery, “Healed” from brokenness, “Restored” to relationship, and “Forgiven” of all guilt. Because of this personal history, the duty of praise becomes the joy of praise “evermore.” The “Alleluia” is the spontaneous outburst of a grateful heart.

2. It is a Hymn of Covenantal Character (Verse 2)
Here, praise is anchored in the unchanging nature of God, especially as revealed in times of trouble. We praise Him for His “grace and favor to his people in distress.” His character is our comfort: He is “still the same as ever” (Hebrews 13:8), “slow to chide, and swift to bless.” This reveals a Father’s heart—patient with our failings and eager to pour out goodness. His reliability is not passive; it is “Glorious in his faithfulness!” We praise not a capricious deity, but a faithful covenant-keeping God.

3. It is a Hymn of Tender Providence and Present Rescue (Verse 3)
This verse expands on the Fatherly care of God. He is “Fatherlike,” a tender protector who “tends and spares us.” His care is informed: “well our feeble frame he knows” (Psalm 103:14). He does not merely observe; He actively intervenes—gently bearing us in His hands and actively “rescues us from all our foes.” The conclusion marvels at the scope of this personal care: “Widely yet his mercy flows!” It is both intimately gentle and infinitely expansive.

4. It is a Hymn of Unified Worship Across All Creation (Verse 4)
The final verse lifts our eyes from our personal experience to the ultimate reality of universal worship. We, who see through a glass darkly, enlist the help of those who see clearly: “Angels, help us to adore him; you behold him face to face.” Then, the call goes out to the cosmos itself: “Sun and moon, bow down before him, dwellers all in time and space.” Our personal song of gratitude is but one part of the eternal, universal symphony offered to the “God of grace.” Our praise finds its true context in this grand, creation-wide adoration.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Is your soul quiet, weary, or distracted? Command it to praise. Begin by recounting your personal testimony: How has Christ ransomed, healed, restored, and forgiven you? Let that memory ignite your “Alleluia.”

Are you in distress? Praise Him for His character that is “slow to chide, and swift to bless.” His faithfulness is your anchor. Feel your frailty? Praise Him as the Father who knows your frame and gently bears you. Let your mind ascend from your personal need to the cosmic throne, and see your life as part of God’s great story of redemption that all creation praises.

Today, do not just say words. From the depths of your soul, bring your tribute to the King. Join the song of the angels and the anthem of the spheres. For you have been sought, saved, and secured by the everlasting King of Heaven.

Praise, my soul! Alleluia!

In the name of the King of Heaven, our tender Father and faithful God, Amen.

This is hymn 16 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 16: Praise Him, Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer

1. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth! His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest angels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His Children,
In His arms He carries them all day long;
O ye saints that dwell on the mountain of His zion,
Praise Him! praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

2. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
For our sins He suffered and bled and died;
He, our Rock, our Hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus, the Crucified;
Loving Savior, meekly enduring sorrow,
Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced His brow;
Once for us rejected, despised, and forsaken,
Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.

3. Praise Him! praise Him!
Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,
Heav’nly portals, loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and ever;
Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Death is vanquished! Tell it with joy, ye faithful,
Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?
Jesus lives! No longer thy portals are cheerless;
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.

Praise Him, Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer Hymn Commentary

Beloved in Christ, this hymn, “Praise Him, Praise Him,” is a full-throated, exultant call to worship. It is not a quiet meditation but a triumphant proclamation meant to be sung with joy and conviction. It compels every creature—from the angels in glory to the saints on earth—to unite in a symphony of praise for Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. It presents a sweeping view of His work, from His sacrificial suffering to His present reign and ultimate victory.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to actively obey the command to praise, to remind ourselves of the multifaceted glory of Christ, and to participate in the eternal celebration of His victory. It is a hymn that turns our focus from our circumstances to His supreme worthiness, filling our mouths with praise and our hearts with triumphant joy.

1. It is a Hymn of Universal Proclamation and Tender Care (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a double command: “Praise Him! praise Him!” This praise is directed to “Jesus, our blessed Redeemer,” establishing the reason: He has bought us back. The call to worship extends to all creation (“Sing, O Earth!”) and even to the angelic host. We are to ascribe to Him “Strength and honor.” Then, the imagery shifts from cosmic to intimate: this mighty Redeemer is also the gentle “shepherd” who personally guards, carries, and tends His children. For those who dwell in His presence (“the mountain of His zion”), the only fitting response is unending, “joyful song.”

2. It is a Hymn of Sacrificial Love and Glorious Reversal (Verse 2)
This verse grounds our praise in the historical horror and beauty of the cross. We praise Him because “For our sins He suffered and bled and died.” He is our foundation (“our Rock”) and our future (“our Hope of eternal salvation”). The hymn forces us to gaze upon the depth of His humiliation: “meekly enduring sorrow, Crowned with thorns.” He was “rejected, despised, and forsaken.” But the line pivots in glorious triumph: that same suffering Savior is now the “Prince of Glory, ever triumphant now.” Our praise celebrates the great reversal—the Crucified is the Conqueror.

3. It is a Hymn of Victorious Reign and Conquered Death (Verse 3)
The final verse erupts with the sound of heaven’s praise (“Heav’nly portals, loud with hosannas ring!”). It declares His eternal kingship: “Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and ever.” We are called to crown Him in our worship as the fulfillment of every office: “Prophet and Priest and King!” The pinnacle of our praise is the victory over our last enemy: “Death is vanquished!” The hymn taunts the grave with the words of Scripture: “Where is now thy victory, boasting grave?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Because “Jesus lives!” death is defanged, the grave is no longer cheerless, and He is proven “the mighty and strong to save.” Our praise is the echo of the empty tomb.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Is your heart heavy? Does worry silence your song? This hymn commands your soul to engage in a higher reality. Look away from the problem and look at your Redeemer.

Praise Him for the specific truths in this hymn: Praise Him as your Shepherd carrying you today. Praise Him as your Rock, solid and secure. Praise Him as the Crucified who bore your sin. Praise Him as the Triumphant Prince who reigns. Praise Him as the Living King who has robbed death of its sting.

Do not wait for a feeling; begin with an act of will. Open your mouth and declare His praise. Join the song of the angels and the saints. For you have every reason—from the cradle to the cross to the crown to the empty tomb—to make your life a perpetual chorus: Praise Him! Praise Him!

Crown Him in your heart and with your voice today.

In the name of Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer and Eternal King, Amen.

This is hymn 15 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 15: Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour

1. Pass me not, O gentle savior
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by.

Saviour, Saviour
Hear my humble cry
While on others Thou art calling
Do not pass me by.

2. Let me at thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition
Help my unbelief.

3. Trusting only in the Thy merit
would i seek thy face
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
save me by thy grace.

4. Thou, the spring of all my comfort
More than life to me
Whom have I on earth beside Thee
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour Hymn Commentary

Beloved in Christ, while many hymns celebrate the joy of salvation, this heartfelt plea, “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour,” gives voice to the soul in its moment of desperate longing and holy fear. It is the prayer of one who sees the grace of God at work in others and, feeling their own deep need, cries out to be included. This hymn teaches us that the doorway to Christ’s presence is not self-confidence, but a humble, persistent cry for mercy.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to express our utter dependence on God’s grace, to combat the fear of being overlooked by God, and to model the posture of humble, persistent prayer. It is a hymn for the seeker, the struggling believer, and anyone who feels their spiritual poverty. It reminds us that our Savior is “gentle” and hears the humble cry.

1. It is a Hymn of Urgent, Personal Appeal (Verse 1)
The hymn opens with a cry born from observation and fear. The singer sees Christ’s work in others—His calling, His blessing—and is gripped by a holy terror of being missed. “While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” This is not a demand, but a “humble cry.” It acknowledges God’s sovereign freedom to call whom He will, yet pleads for inclusion. The doubled address, “Saviour, Saviour,” intensifies the personal, pleading nature of the prayer. It is the prayer of the blind beggar Bartimaeus on the roadside, refusing to be silenced (Mark 10:47-48).

2. It is a Hymn of Seeking Relief and Honest Struggle (Verse 2)
The soul knows where the answer lies: at the “throne of mercy.” We come not to a throne of judgment, but of grace, to find “sweet relief” (Hebrews 4:16). The posture is one of “deep contrition”—a genuine sorrow for sin. Yet, in beautiful honesty, the prayer includes a cry that every believer understands: “Help my unbelief.” We acknowledge that even our faith is weak and needs the strengthening hand of the very Savior we are seeking (Mark 9:24).

3. It is a Hymn of Rejecting Self and Trusting Merit (Verse 3)
Here, the theology of the plea is made clear. We approach “Trusting only in Thy merit.” We bring no resume, no personal worthiness. Our only plea is the finished work of Christ. The requests are profound: first for inner healing (“Heal my wounded, broken spirit”), and then for ultimate salvation (“save me by thy grace”). The healing of the spirit and the saving of the soul are both works of His grace alone.

4. It is a Hymn of Christ as Supreme Treasure (Verse 4)
The plea culminates in a declaration of Christ’s supreme worth. He is not just a means to an end; He is the end itself. He is the “spring of all my comfort” and “More than life to me.” The soul, having sought Him, now realizes His incomparable value. The rhetorical questions—“Whom have I on earth beside Thee? Whom in Heav’n but Thee?”—echo Psalm 73:25, affirming that God alone is the soul’s ultimate portion and desire, both now and forever.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Do you feel passed by? Do you see God’s blessing in the lives of others while you struggle with need, doubt, or a sense of spiritual distance? This hymn gives you the language for your prayer.

Do not silence your cry. Bring your humble plea to the gentle Savior. Be honest about your unbelief, your brokenness, and your complete lack of merit. Cling only to His.

Remember, the very fact that your heart cries out to not be passed by is evidence of the Spirit’s work within you. The gentle Savior stops for the one who cries. Come to the throne of mercy today. He will not pass by a seeking, contrite heart.

Cry out to Him. He is listening.

In the name of Jesus, our Gentle Savior and Merciful High Priest, Amen.

This is hymn 14 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 14: O What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day

1. O what a wonderful, wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I’d wandered in darkness away
Jesus my Saviour I met
O what a tender, compassionate friend
He met the need of my heart
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross my Saviour made me whole
My sins were washed away
And my night was turned to day
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul

2. Born of the Spirit with life from above
Into God’s fam’ly divine
Justified fully thru Calvary’s love
O what a standing is mine
And the transaction so quickly was made
When as a sinner I came
Took of the offer of grace He did proffer
He saved me, O praise His dear name

3. Now l’ve hope that will surely endure
After the passing of time;
I have a future in Heaven for sure
There in those mansions sublime
And it’s because of that wonderful day
When at the cross I believed;
Riches eternal and blessings supernal
From His precious hand I received.

O What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day Hymn Commentary

Beloved in Christ, every believer has a story, a divine intersection where eternal destiny was altered by a glorious encounter. This hymn, “O What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day,” is the personal, joyful testimony of that moment. It is a song of remembrance, celebration, and proclamation, detailing the before, the miraculous during, and the glorious after of salvation. It reminds us that Christianity is not a philosophy but a supernatural event in a human life—the day heaven invaded our history.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to keep our personal salvation experience fresh and alive in our hearts. It combats spiritual amnesia, reignites our first love, and gives us a testimony to share. It is a song of vivid remembrance that fuels present gratitude and future hope.

1. It is a Hymn of Unforgettable Encounter and Immediate Transformation (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with an exclamation of awe over a specific day: “Day I will never forget.” This anchors salvation in a real moment in time. It describes the prior state: “I’d wandered in darkness away.” Then comes the divine confrontation: “Jesus my Saviour I met.” The result is not just theological agreement, but a relational revolution. He becomes a “tender, compassionate friend”who meets the deepest needs of the heart. The imagery is powerful: “Shadows dispelling… He made all the darkness depart.” This leads to the explosive chorus describing the cosmic transaction: “Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!” The locus of this event is “the cross,”where wholeness was purchased, sins were washed away, and “night was turned to day.”Salvation is portrayed as a glorious, heaven-sent invasion.

2. It is a Hymn of New Birth and New Standing (Verse 2)
This verse explains the spiritual mechanics of that wonderful day. It was a supernatural birth: “Born of the Spirit with life from above.” It was an adoption: “Into God’s fam’ly divine.” It was a legal declaration: “Justified fully thru Calvary’s love.” Our new “standing” before God is one of righteousness and belonging. The hymn emphasizes the simplicity and immediacy of grace: “the transaction so quickly was made.” No lengthy process, just a sinner coming and taking “the offer of grace He did proffer.” The response is pure praise: “He saved me, O praise His dear name!”

3. It is a Hymn of Enduring Hope and Eternal Inheritance (Verse 3)
The testimony looks forward from that foundational day. Because of that day, we now possess a hope that outlasts “the passing of time.” We have a guaranteed “future in Heaven for sure” in those “mansions sublime.” All of this—present hope and future glory—flows directly from “that wonderful day when at the cross I believed.” The benefits are not earthly or temporary, but “riches eternal and blessings supernal” (heavenly), received freely from “His precious hand.” The wonderful day inaugurates an everlasting inheritance.

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Have you forgotten the wonder of your salvation? Has your faith become routine, losing the awe of that first encounter? This hymn calls you to remember. Recall your own “wonderful, wonderful day.” Remember the darkness before, the moment you met your compassionate Friend, and the flood of relief and joy when your sins were washed away.

If you have never had that day, this hymn is your invitation. The offer of grace is still proffered. You can come to the cross today, believe, and experience the transaction that makes you whole. Your night can turn to day.

For every believer, let this testimony be your song today. Proclaim it to your own heart and to a world in darkness. Because heaven came down for you, you have an unshakable hope and a glorious future. Never forget that wonderful day.

Praise His dear name!

In the name of Jesus, our compassionate Friend and Savior, Amen.

This is hymn 13 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Hymn 13: Jesus loves me! This I know,

1. Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

Refrain:

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

2. Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

3. Jesus loves me, loves me still
Tho’ I’m very weak and ill
From His shinning throne on high
He will watch me wwhere I lie.

4. Jesus Loves Me! He Will Stay
Close Beside Me All The Way;
If llove Him when I die.
He will take me home on high.

Jesus loves me! This I know Hymn Commentary

Beloved in Christ, in the great library of hymns, few are as simple, profound, and universally cherished as “Jesus Loves Me.” While often called a children’s hymn, it contains the foundational truth upon which the entire Christian faith is built. It is a hymn that brings the infinite, cosmic reality of God’s love into the personal, intimate space of the trusting heart, offering strength for the weak, cleansing for the sinner, comfort for the suffering, and hope for the dying.

Why Sing This Hymn

We sing this hymn to return to the first and most important truth of our faith. It quiets our fears, answers our doubts, and anchors our souls in the objective, written promise of God’s love. It is a confession of childlike faith that is mature in its simplicity and unshakeable in its foundation.

1. It is a Hymn of Objective Truth and Personal Assurance (Verse 1)
The opening line is both a shout of victory and a statement of fact: “Jesus loves me! This I know.”How do we know? Not because of a fleeting feeling, but because of a fixed authority: “For the Bible tells me so.” Our assurance rests on the unchanging Word of God. The verse then defines our relationship to this love: we are “little ones” who “belong” to Him. We acknowledge our inherent weakness, but we immediately contrast it with His perfect strength: “They are weak but He is strong.” Our security lies not in our strength, but in His.

2. It is a Hymn of Sacrificial Action and Open Access (Verse 2)
This love is defined by its cost and its purpose. It is the love of the one “who died.” His death had a mission: to open wide “Heaven’s gate” that was closed by sin. The personal application is clear: “He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.” This is the Gospel in miniature—love enacted on the cross to cleanse and welcome us into God’s family (John 1:12). We come in not as dignitaries, but as welcomed children.

3. It is a Hymn of Unchanging Care in Our Frailty (Verse 3)
True love is proven in steadfastness. This verse assures us that His love is constant even when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable—“Tho’ I’m very weak and ill.” From His transcendent, holy place (“His shining throne on high”), He bends His gaze with tender care to watch over us “where I lie.” There is no depth of human suffering or frailty that places us outside the watchful, loving care of our Savior (Psalm 34:15).

4. It is a Hymn of Constant Companionship and Eternal Hope (Verse 4)
The love of Jesus is not just for the beginning of our journey, but for “all the way.” He promises to stay “close beside me.” This faithful companionship extends through the final frontier of death itself. The childlike faith declares, “If I love Him when I die, He will take me home on high.” Love for Him, sparked by His love for us, is the connecting thread that leads through death into eternal life. His love is the escort from our bedside to our heavenly home.

The Refrain: The Heart’s Repeated Affirmation
The repetitive, joyful refrain—“Yes, Jesus loves me!”—is the soul’s necessary rehearsal. We must tell ourselves this truth again and again. The final anchor, always, is the unchanging testimony: “The Bible tells me so.”

A Word for Your Spirit Today

Do you feel weak, small, or overwhelmed? You are precisely the “little one” to whom He belongs. His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Are you burdened by sin or feeling far from God? Hear His call to His little child to come in. The gate is open, and the cleansing flood is ready.
Are you suffering, afraid, or facing the shadow of death? Look to the shining throne and know you are watched with love. He is close beside you, all the way home.

Whatever your age or stage, return to this bedrock truth today. Let it be the first thought in the morning and the last at night. Whisper it in prayer. Proclaim it against fear. For this is the truth that saves, sustains, and secures us: Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

In the name of Jesus, who loves us and gave Himself for us, Amen.