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Lyrics
Arise, my soul, my joyful powers
And triumph in my God
Awake, my voice, and loud proclaim
His glorious grace abroad
He raised me from the deeps of sin
The gates of gaping hell
And fixed my standing more secure
Than ’twas before I fell
Arise, my soul; awake, my voice
And tunes of pleasure sing
Loud hallelujahs shall address
My Savior and my King
The arms of everlasting love
Beneath my soul He placed
And on the rock of ages set
My slippery footsteps fast
The city of my blessed abode
Is walled around with grace
Salvation for a bulwark stands
To shield the sacred place
Loud hallelujahs! Loud hallelujahs!
Loud hallelujahs to our King!
Words: Isaac Watts, 1707–09
Music: Zac Hicks, 2008
©2009 Unbudding Fig Music (ASCAP)
Video Tutorial: How to Play “Arise My Soul, My Joyful Powers”
About
“Arise, My Soul, My Joyful Powers” is a forgotten hymn by the great hymn-writer Isaac Watts (1674-1748). What attracts the modern worshiper to this hymn is its energetic text. The hymn basically says, “Wake up! Praise God! He’s saved you!” Not only is this hymn full of energy…it demands LOUD worship—something more often characteristic of modern worship over and above the traditional. Verse 1 says, “Awake, my voice, and loud proclaim His glorious grace abroad.” The chorus and bridge again exclaim: “Loud hallelujahs shall address my Savior and my King.” If there’s one old hymn that deserves a modern setting, then, it’s this one! It parallels modern worship songs like David Crowder’s “Our Love is Loud” in its demand for amped-up decibels. But loud worship isn’t just a modern notion. It’s a biblical one. Scripture speaks of the worship of God’s people, at times, as being loud (2 Chronicles 20:19). People responded to the miracles of Jesus with loud praise (Luke 19:37). The ongoing worship of heaven is described as loud (Revelation 5:12). Yes, there should be times for quiet, reflective worship. But, as the Bible affirms and Dr. Watts reminds us, worship should also be loud and powerful!
Click here for a video tutorial on playing Arise, My Soul, My Joyful Powers