PRAISE HIM! PRAISE HIM!

Blinded by a physician at 6 weeks of age, Fanny never let her blindness be a limitation in life. A happy child with a strong faith, 8-year-old Fanny wrote her first poem:

Oh, what a happy child I am, although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
So weep or sigh because I’m blind, I cannot, nor I won’t!

Fanny would go on to be a student at the New York Institution for the Blind. At age 27, she became a teacher at her beloved Alma Mater, and taught English there for 11 years. She would eventually meet her husband there, a fellow blind musician and professor. The two married in 1858. Her hymn “Praise Him! Praise Him!” first appeared in a Sunday school hymnal, “Bright Jewels,” in 1869. The song was originally titled “Praise, Give Thanks.” A somewhat familiar hymn today, it is mainly found in children’s songbooks. 

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels 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.

Refrain:

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!

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!
Sound His praises! Jesus, who bore our sorrows!
Love unbounded, wonderful, deep, and strong.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever.
Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
Christ is coming, over the world victorious;
pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong! 

Prayer

God of Redemption, we do indeed praise You. Help us to cease from complaining and focus on You this day. We think of Fanny, and her stoical spirit, who never lost sight of You. We let trivial things get us down. We make mountains out of molehills. Help us to see You in all things, and to focus on what is really important. Amen.