Hello! How Gentle God’s Commands is an old Christian Hymn written by Text: Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751 and Music: Hans Georg Nägeli, 1773–1836. It is the suggested hymn in the Come Follow Me lesson (Sept 9-15) entitled “Glad Tidings of Great Joy” and studies Helaman 13-16. Since I am now posting a new song just twice per month instead of every week, I chose this lesson to focus on. This arrangement is a vocal solo with a late intermediate accompaniment. You can find the sheet music here: How Gentle God’s Commands
In the manual it asks a series of questions:
- In the scriptures, prophets are sometimes compared to watchmen on a wall or tower who warn of danger (see Isaiah 62:6; Ezekiel 33:1–7). As you study Samuel’s words in Helaman 13, consider how he is like a watchman for you. What did he say that seems relevant to our day? (see especially verses 8, 21–22, 26–29, 31, and 38). For example, what did Samuel teach about repentance? about humility and wealth? about seeking happiness “in doing iniquity”?
- I would also ask this question as it pertains to the hymn “How Gentle God’s Commands”. Do you feel that God’s commandments are given out of love? If so, in what ways?
- It is my testimony, (grown from imperfectly striving to keep his commands and then repenting when I fall short) that the commandments are given by God to keep me safe, help me grow and learn about light and truth. God wants to raise me up to a greater plain of living!
A little about the composers:
- Philip Doddridge (1702-1751) was an English Nonconformist (specifically, Congregationalist) minister, educator, and hymnwriter. Doddridge was known for ending his sermons with newly crafted hymns as summaries of the lessons, but his hymns were not published during his lifetime. The first posthumous edition contained 370 hymns.
- Hans Georg Nägeli (26 May 1773 – 26 December 1836) was a composer and music publisher. Nägeli was born in Wetzikon, Switzerland. He studied under his father as a child and then opened a private music shop and publishing firm in the 1790s.
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Media sources: ChurchofJesusChrist.org (Samuel The Lamanite Prophesies of Jesus Christ, Repentance a Joyful Choice), Steve Pierce – Nature Images and Videography, Photo Submission – Suzanne Lapine
*Reach out if you would like the sheet music for any of the arrangements I don’t have sheet music for yet and I will transcribe and post them. You can find the songs I already have sheet music for here: http://marileekaymusic.com/sheet-music/
Other places to follow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarileeKayMusic/ Instagram @MarileeKayMusic
Thanks, as always, Marilee, for this great supplement to the CFM lesson material. I loved the music, the video (including the pic of your second cousin serving in Africa!), your written testimony, and the background about the composers.