 Gettysburg National Military Park - October Morning - Psalm 27:11 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers Today's lesson explores the Bible verses behind the excellent hymn, "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord."  Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (Ref. 2) Hymn Author and Composer Benjamin Mansell Ramsey wrote the text for "Teach Me Thy Word, O Lord" based on Psalm 27:11 and several additional Scripture verses. Mr. Ramsey also composed the tune, "Camacha," which we use today when singing this hymn. Benjamin Mansell Ramsey (1849 - 1923) was an English organist and amateur composer (Ref. 1). He also was a well-known music teacher near Bournemouth, England. Mr. Ramsey composed songs, piano pieces, and carols. He also wrote works on music theory (Ref. 2). Wikipedia reports that Mr. Ramsey also conducted an amateur orchestra in the 1880s, and was involved in establishing the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra in 1893 (Ref. 1). He is best known for his hymn tune, "Camacha," and the text he wrote for "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" in 1919. For those of you who are interested in geography, Bournemouth is located on the south coast of England (see map, Ref. 3). Scripture Allusions I suggest that you refer to the attached hymn sheet music for the following discussion of the Scripture verses and the hymn text (Ref. 4). "Teach me Thy way." Mr. Ramsey skillfully wrote this hymn around the Biblical phrase, "Teach me Thy way." He included the phrase, "Teach me Thy way," 13 times in verses one through four. In the Old Testament, the Way of the Lord referred to keeping God's commandments (Deuteronomy 5:33, Ref. 5). In Joseph Benson's Commentary, the phrase "Teach me Thy way, O Lord" means "What course I shall take to please thee, and to discharge my duty, and to save myself from ruin" (Ref. 6). David, the Psalmist, asked God to teach him God's way in Psalm 27:11 and Psalm 86:11. Psalm 25:4-5 is similar. David’s request to God, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord," is an excellent example for us to follow (Ref. 5). "Thy guiding grace afford" (hymn, verse 1). These words call to my mind Jesus' promise in John 16:13, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth." Jesus promised us as believers that the Holy Spirit will guide us. The Greek word for guide in John 16:13 is hodégeó, which literally means "to show the way" (Ref. 7, Ref. 8). Now we can see the close connection between the prayerful hymn words in verse 1, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord" and "Thy guiding grace afford." As believers in Christ, we need the Holy Spirit's guidance to teach us God's way and truth in each of our life's circumstances. "Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight" (hymn, verse 1). This hymn phrase likely refers to Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." "Make Thou my pathway plain" (hymn, verse 3). Psalm 27:11 begins with the words, "Teach me thy way, O Lord" and ends with the words, "and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies" (KJV translation). The transliteration of the Hebrew word for plain is mishor (Ref. 9). In Psalm 27:11, mishor means literally a level place (free from obstacles) and figuratively, a place of safety, comfort, prosperity (Ref. 9). In the literal sense, a plain is a level area or plateau as compared to a mountainous area, for example, 1 Kings 20:22-25. In the figurative sense, David's prayer to make his pathway plain (Psalm 27:11) was to request that God would make his way safe (Ref. 10). Mr. Ramsey wrote in verse 3 of the hymn, "Shine through the cloud and rain, through sorrow, toil, and pain; Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way!" With these words, we pray that God will make our way safe and that God will comfort us through these difficult times. "Until the race is won" and "Until the crown is won" (hymn, verse 4). Mr. Ramsey likely drew inspiration from 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 which alludes to both of these phrases. "Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away." Let us resolve to run the race with endurance that God has given us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Listen. I suggest that you listen to one or both of the following Youtube videos to hear examples of how the hymn can be sung. Traditional hymn in 3/4 time - The Metropolitan Tabernacle, London congregation singing "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" - Click here. This contemporary, 4/4 time solo arrangement of "Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord" in 4/4 time will uplift you. Click here. Apply. In what aspect of your life today do you need God to remove obstacles and to make your pathway plain or safe? Pray and ask God to teach you his way and to give you his guidance. References
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Mansell_Ramsey 2. http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/r/a/m/ramsey_bm.htm 3. https://www.worldatlas.com/eu/gb/eng/where-is-bournemouth.html 4. https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Teach_Me_Thy_Way_O_Lord/ 5. http://www.scriptureway.com/home/the-way-of-the-lord-old-testament 6. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/psalms/27.htm 7. https://biblehub.com/greek/3594.htm 8. http://www.scriptureway.com/home/the-spirit-of-truth 9. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4334.htm 10. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/psalms/27.htm
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Majestic Sunset - Carpathian Mountains - 123RF - with John 14:6
Copyright: leonidtit / 123RF Stock Photo
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). This article is the fifth and final article in the series on the topic, “About the Way.”
Consider. The eternal Jesus Christ is the road, the path, the journey to the Father, and to the Father's dwelling place, heaven.
Immediately before Jesus said "I am the way" (John 14:6), Jesus told his disciples, "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).
Jesus is eternal. Jesus Christ is the same "I AM" that appeared to Moses in the burning bush (John 8:58; Exodus 3:6; Exodus 3:14).
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
Jesus is the way. Jesus invites us to follow him to the destination. Jesus is the road, and the journey to the destination.
The Greek word for "follow" is akoloutheó. Akoloutheó means to be in the same way with, that is, to accompany as a disciple (Ref. 1). The rich young ruler asked Jesus what he could do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17). Mark 10:21 describes Jesus' invitation to the young man to follow Jesus. "Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, 'One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' " The young man refused Jesus' invitation to accompany Jesus as a disciple. Mark tells us the young man "was saddened, and he went away grieving" (Mark 10:22).
Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father, to the Father's dwelling place, heaven. Jesus is the only way to the Father because only Jesus has paid the penalty for our sin.
"Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, ... let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:19-20, 22). "But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). "Unless you believe that I AM, you’ll die in your sins” (John 8:24).
Copyright: halfpoint / 123RF Stock Photo
Our Response to Jesus What is your response to Jesus? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Are you ready to believe in him? Are you willing to follow Jesus to our heavenly destination? If you do not already trust in Jesus, then I encourage you to pray through these steps in your own words.
Believe in Jesus.
Follow Jesus.
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). "Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. Teach me to live according to your truth, for you are my God, who saves me. I always trust in you" (Psalm 25:4-5).
Now that you have put your trust in Jesus, I encourage you to:
To learn more about the following topics, please visit the About the Way page or the previous posts with dates noted:
 Gettysburg National Military Park Path with Matthew 7:13-14 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). Consider. In the Old Testament, the scriptures describe God’s way as keeping God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 5:33; Deuteronomy 5:1-21; Deuteronomy 8:6; Psalm 119:1-3. The New Testament builds upon the description of God’s Way in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the main Greek word for "way" is hodos (Ref. 1). The following paragraphs describe the meaning of "way" (hodos) in the New Testament. A “way” is a traveled road. Matthew 2:12; Acts 8:26; Acts 26:13. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus taught a challenging truth. The way (road) that leads to life is narrow, and there are few who find it. The Greek word for life in this verse is zoe, which means the blessing of real life after the resurrection (John 11:25, Ref. 2). A “way” is a journey. In Acts 8:39, the Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing after Philip led him to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:30-37). A "way" is a manner of thinking, feeling, or deciding. Acts 18:24-25 describe the teaching and speaking ministry of Apollos, who was instructed in the way of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. Acts 18:26 tells us, "He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." (italics added) In Acts 16:16-18, Paul and Silas were near Philippi when they encountered a slave girl who had a spirit of divination. Acts 16:17 tells us the slave girl's remarkable statement. "She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.' ” (italics added) The name for Christianity in the early church. Many believers today may not know that in the Book of Acts "The Way" was the most widely known name for the early Christian church. The first use in Acts of the name, "The Way," occurs in Acts 9:1-2. "Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem." Acts 19:8-9 describe how the Apostle Paul in Ephesus moved the disciples to another location when "hardened and disobedient" people spoke evil about the Way. Acts 19:23 says "About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way." The disturbance about the Way led to the near-riot in Ephesus described in Acts 19:23-41. Later, when Paul was brought under Roman custody to Caesarea, he testified before Felix, the governor. When Paul was given the opportunity to speak at the hearing, he said, "This I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets" (Acts 24:14). In comparison to "The Way," which is mentioned several times in Acts, the term, "Christian" is mentioned only three times in the entire New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Apply. Are you living on the narrow path that leads to real life beyond the resurrection? Do you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? To learn more about the following topics, please visit the About the Way page or the previous posts with dates noted:
 Gettysburg Early Morning - Begin One Way Sign with Deuteronomy 5:33 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers "You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess" (Deuteronomy 5:33). Consider. Jesus said “I am the way” (John 14:6). The "way of the Lord" was a concept familiar to Jesus' Jewish listeners. Consider these principles from the Old Testament. What was the way that God had commanded? Please read through the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:1-21). Consider the three-fold blessing God promises for the nations and people who keep his commandments – “that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land which you shall possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33).  Gettysburg National Military Park Path with Psalm 25:4 - Photo by Whitney V. Myers David asked God to "Teach me Thy way, O Lord." “Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies” (Psalm 27:11). “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4). David’s request to God, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord,” is an excellent example for us to follow. Apply. Are you walking in the way of the Lord? Are you obeying God's commandments? Deuteronomy 5:1-21 To learn more about the following topics, please visit the About the Way page or the previous posts with dates noted:
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Mr. Whitney V. Myers. Christian. For more information, please visit the Author Page. Posting Schedule
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