Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A Vict'ry Song That Shakes the Gates of Hell

Below is the text to a hymn I was asked to write for the evening worship session at the annual gathering of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. This hymn served as a follow-up to a challenge given by Executive Director, Randy Davis, on "Impacting Lostness in Tennessee" that featured a story about a salvation bell (hence the imagery in the hymn). Special thanks to my friend, Paul Clark, for his encouragement and assistance, and for leading the congregation in singing it.

Salvation's Tolling Bell
Justin Wainscott

‘Twas grace that tuned my ears to hear
Salvation’s tolling bell;
How sweet it sounded in my ears,
And sweet its echo still.

But how I long to hear it more,
That sweet, salvation bell;
To hear it ring from shore to shore,
The gospel’s triumph tell.

So, let me share with ev’ry soul
The news that Jesus saves;
Then let that bell begin to toll,
And sound the Savior’s praise.

Oh, let a harvest of the lost
Be saved and gathered in;
And let the glories of the cross
Ring o’er and o’er again.

Oh, let that bell ring loud and strong,
Oh, let its ringing swell;
And let it raise a vict’ry song
That shakes the gates of hell.