Encouraging people around the world since 1991 !!


 

Recorded at Soli Deo Gloria Studios in North Attleboro MA
by David Wells.  Bob Nute played electronic percussion on most songs,
and I (Ralph) sang and played acoustic guitar.  
These songs were mostly written
during the six month period in which we were creating
  
"In The Knowledge Of Him"
.

 

 

BEFORE THE COMING LORD
A 20 song collection, recorded in 1992

 

MP3 files for all these songs can be found on our
MP3 Central Page

Ralph Merrifield, guitar & vocals

SIDE #1

1.    Yours Is The Day    

Yours is the day and Yours the night
Both the darkness and the light
Even wrongs you can make right
Both the darkness and the light
Yours is the day and Yours the night

Both the springtime and the fall
Life and death ,You're over all
Everything moves at Your call
Life and death,You're over all
Both the springtime and the fall

Through the droughts and through the rains
You are faithful, still the same
My Provider and my Friend
You are faithful, still the same
Through the droughts and through the rains

Lord I put my trust in You
Knowing You will see me through
Every trial I come to
Knowing You will see me through
Lord I put my trust in You

Yours is the day and Yours the night
Both the darkness and the light
Even wrongs you can make right
Both the darkness and the light
Yours is the day and Yours the night

 

2.    My Soul With You  
        the comfort found close to God's heart
       
(from Psalm 131)

Oh Lord, my heart is not proud
     nor my eye lifted up
I don't involve myself in things
     too great or difficult
Like a weaned child at its mother's breast
My soul with You finds comfort and rest
My soul with You finds comfort and rest

Oh Lord, I hunger and thirst,
     feel so weary and worn
Tired from traveling many miles
     battered by the storms
As a baby lamb longs for pastures green
Close to my Shepherd I want to be
Close to my Shepherd I want to be
(repeat first verse)

 

3.    Center Of My Soul   

Lord You’re the center of my soul
Both my beginning and my goal
All that I am and all that I’ll be
Draws from the life You give me

You are my wisdom and my strength
On You in all I can depend
Once I was broken, now I’m whole

Lord You’re the center of my soul
    (repeat to beginning)


You bring the meaning to my days
You are the purpose in my ways
Once I was empty, now I’m full
Lord You’re the center of my soul
Lord You’re the center of my soul

 

4.    Search Me, O God   

Search me, O God, and know my heart
Try me and know my anxious thoughts
See if there be harmful ways in me
Then cleanse me, change me, 
and lead me in Your ways

 

5.    More Of You Lord  

More of You Lord, less of me
More of You Lord, may it be
As days go by all people see
More of You Lord, less of me

Not my will but Yours be done
Not my will but Yours be done
Your ways are much wiser than mine
Not my will but Yours be done

Through my weakness may Your strength show
Through my weakness may Your strength show
With every trial help my faith grow
Through my weakness may Your strength show

In the darkness let Your light shine
In the darkness let Your light shine
When I can't see please be my guide
In the darkness let Your light shine

More of You Lord, less of me
More of You Lord, may it be
As days go by all people see
More of You Lord, less of me

As days go by may all people see
More of You Lord , less of me

 

6.    Praise the Lord, All Nations

Praise the LORD, all nations.
Laud Him, all peoples
for His lovingkindness is great
toward us, toward us

And the faithfulness
     of the LORD is everlasting
Praise the LORD, praise the LORD
Halleluia!!

Thank Him for His goodness,
His truth and grace
He is our salvation
Our hope and strength
      (repeat to beginning)

 

 

7.    Come To Me (Come, Take, Learn)  
         Jesus' comforting words of invitation
          (from Matthew 11: 28-30)

Come, come to Me
      all who are weary and heavy laden.
Come, come to Me and I will give you rest.
Come to Me, take My yoke, learn from Me

Take, take My yoke on you for My yoke is easy.
Take, take My yoke for My load is light.
Come to Me, take My yoke, learn from Me

Learn, learn from Me
     for I am gentle and humble in heart.
Learn, learn from Me,
     You will find rest for your souls.
Come to Me, take My yoke, learn from Me
Come to Me, take My yoke, learn from Me

 

8.    When I Am Afraid   

When I am afraid I put my trust in You
In God, whose Word I praise
In the Lord I have put my trust (repeat)

This I know that God is for me
When I’m with Him nothing can harm me

When I am afraid I put my trust in You
In God, whose Word I praise
In the Lord I have put my trust

 

9.    Holy And Awesome   
           (from Psalm 111, Revelations 5:12)

Holy and awesome is Your name
Splendid, majestic are all Your ways
Gracious, compassionate are You Lord
Your praise endures forevermore
Your praise endures forevermore

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
To receive power and riches and strength
Honor and glory and blessings are Yours
We'll sing Your praise forevermore
We'll sing Your praise forevermore
      (repeat first verse)

 

10.  Heavens And Earth 

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good
God of all gods and Lord of all lords
He does great wonders and made the creation
His lovingkindness is everlasting
His lovingkindness is everlasting

        Heavens and earth (xx),
        Oceans and stars (xx)
        Sun, moon, the day and night,
        He’s over all! (xx xx xx xx)

We thank You Lord for You are good
God of all gods and Lord of all lords

You do great wonders and made the creation
Your lovingkindness is everlasting
Your lovingkindness is everlasting

        Heavens and earth (xx),

        Oceans and stars (xx)
        Sun, moon, the day and night,
        You're over all ! (xx xx xx xx)
               (repeat second verse)

 

 

the original cassette cover

 

SIDE #2

11.  We're The King's Kids  

We're the King's kids
Just children of the Lord
A special part of His family
We want all the world to know that
We're the King's kids
He knows us by name
Throughout all eternity
We will sing His praise

 

12.  You Are My Shepherd  

You are my Shepherd and I am Your lamb
Where You lead I will follow
Thank You for loving me just as I am
Teaching me the way I should go

Forever and ever, side by side
You are my master, Lord and Guide
Goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life (repeat to beginning)

 

13.  Like A Green Tree  

I am like a green tree
In the house of God
Feeding on His Word to make me strong
Through the stormy times
I'm sheltered from all harm
Simply abiding I bear much fruit
Daily growing, straight and true

 

14.  May You Be Exalted  

May You be exalted in my life
In my life, in my life
May You be exalted in my life
Dear Lord be exalted in me

2 ... in my school
3 ... in our church
4 ... In our world

 

15.  In Every Single Situation  

In every single situation You put me through
I'm learnin' more about You
I'm learnin' more about You
In every single situation You put me through
I'm learnin' more, more about You
More about Your love, more about Your plan
More about Your gentle guiding hand
In every single situation You put me through
I'm learnin' more, more about You

 

16.  Doxology Round #1    
            (lyrics by Thomas Ken)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him, all creatures here below
Praise Him above the heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

 

17.  Like The Rising Sun 

Your love is like the rising sun
Your love is like the rising sun
Your love is like the rising sun
Ever faithful

Your joy, like flowers in the Spring
Your joy, like flowers in the Spring
Your joy, like flowers in the Spring
So delightful

Your peace, a shelter from the storm
Your peace, a shelter from the storm
Your peace, a shelter from the storm
Safe and restful

Your love is like the rising sun
Your joy, like flowers in the Spring
Your peace, a shelter from the storm
And Lord we're grateful (repeat this verse)

And Lord we're grateful, Lord we're so grateful...

 

18.  Have You Ever Heard...? 

Have you ever heard a duck praise the Lord?
A duck praise the Lord, a duck praise the Lord
Have you ever heard a duck praise the Lord?
This is what he says...

Quack quack quack quack quack quack
quack quack quack
quack quack quack praise the Lord

2. kitten (meow)
3. Fish (blub)
4. Bell (ding)
5. All (ding, blub, meow, quack)

 

19.  Hush My Little Loved One  

Hush my little loved one
It's time now to rest
Throughout the day you have given
Each task your best
You'll need strength to face tomorrow
Hush child, time now to rest
You'll need strength to face tomorrow
Hush child, time now to rest

While you are asleep God will watch over you
His guardian angels protecting
    His Spirit will soothe
In the morning, when you awaken
    We'll be close by your side
In the morning when you awaken
    We'll be close by your side
             (repeat first verse)

 

 

20.  Before The Coming Lord   
        All of creation is excited at the Lord's return
           (from I Chronicles 16:31-36)

Let the heavens be glad
Let the earth rejoice
Let the oceans roar
Let the field make noise
Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy
Before the coming Lord (AMEN!!)

And let them say among the nations
     "THE LORD REIGNS"
All of creation PRAISE HIS NAME
And we God's people
       GIVE HIM THANKS
Blessed be the Lord AMEN!!
     (repeat to beginning)

 

All songs copyright 1992, Ralph Merrifield
New Hope Music, PO Box 1612, Westboro MA  01581

You have our encouragement and permission
to duplicate and share this song for all "not-for-profit" purposes
(ie. corporate worship, overheads, songbooks, web sites, give-away copies).
Please contact New Hope for other uses. Thanks !!!

Ralph Merrifield


 

 

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