We spent the evening with my parents, who are visiting for the Easter celebration. Our discussion turned to music, and Denise and I played a couple of songs for Mom and Dad, including one of Mom’s favorites, He Giveth More Grace. Dad asked if we had the music for his favorite song, which, unfortunately, we didn’t. Denise was able to find a copy and played it for him, but while we were searching, we realized that this hymn has been taken out of all of our recent hymnals. It’s amazing how many of our hymns have fallen by the wayside, many great texts forgotten, as we move from one style of music to another.
This hymn is especially pertinent today, as we remember Christ’s death and burial, and look forward to His resurrection and ultimate return as our King. It was taken from Psalm 45, a Messianic psalm. Here is portion of the text of that Psalm, followed by the words of the hymn.
Psalm 45
4In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you. 6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
7 you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;
8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;
Ivory Palaces by Henry Barraclough
My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
And myrrh their texture fills;
Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine
With joy my being thrills.
Out of the ivory palaces,
Into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love
Made my Savior go.
His life had also its sorrows sore,
For aloes had a part;
And when I think of the cross He bore,
My eyes with teardrops start.
(Refrain)
His garments too were in cassia dipped,
With healing in a touch;
Each time my feet in some sin have slipped,
He took me from its clutch.
(Refrain)
In garments glorious He will come,
To open wide the door;
And I shall enter my heav’nly home,
To dwell forevermore.
(Refrain)
