Scripture Verse

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1

Introduction

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John H. Yates (1837–1900)

Words: John H. Yates, in Pen­te­cost­al Hymns No. 2, ed­it­ed by Hen­ry Date (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Hope Pub­lish­ing, 1898).

Music: Mat­thew L. Mc­Phail (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Matthew L. McPhail
(1854–1931)

Lyrics

How dear to my heart is the sto­ry of old,
The sto­ry that ev­er is new,
The mes­sage that saints of all ag­es have told,
The mes­sage so ten­der and true.

Refrain

The sto­ry that ne­ver grows old,
Tho’ ov­er and ov­er ’tis told;
The sto­ry so dear, bring­ing Hea­ven so near,
Sweet sto­ry that ne­ver grows old.

It came to my heart when, all fet­tered by sin,
I sat in the pri­son of doubt;
Like an­gel of old, the glad sto­ry came in,
And led me tri­um­phan­tly out.

Refrain

It comes to my soul when the tempt­er is nigh
With snares for my way-wea­ry feet;
It tells of the Rock that is high­er than I,
And leads to its bliss­ful re­treat.

Refrain

When sor­row is mine, and on pil­lows of stone
My ach­ing head seeks for re­pose,
This story brings com­fort and peace from the throne,
My des­ert blooms forth like the rose.

Refrain

When down in the val­ley and sha­dow of death,
I en­ter the gloom of the grave,
I’ll tell the old sto­ry with life’s lat­est breath,
Of Christ and His pow­er to save.

Refrain