Distinguishing Grace

Representative Text

1. In songs of sublime adoration and praise,
Ye pilgrims, for Zion who press,
Break forth and extol the great Ancient of days,
His rich and distinguishing grace.

2. His love from eternity fixed upon you,
Broke forth and uncovered its flame,
When each with the cords of His kindness He drew,
And brought you to love His great Name.

3. O! had He not pitied the state you were in,
Your bosoms His love had ne'er felt:
You all would have lived, would have died too in sin,
And sunk with the load of your guilt.

4. What was there in you that could merit esteem,
Or give the Creator delight?
'Twas "Even so, Father," you ever must sing,
"Because it seemed good in Thy sight."

5. Then give all the glory to His holy Name,
To Him all the glory belongs;
Be yours the high joy still to sound forth His fame,
And crown Him in each of your songs.


Source: The New Christian Hymnal #128

Author (attributed to): R. Keen

Robert Keen (or Keene) was the leader of music and the Carter Lane Baptist Church in London when John Rippon was the pastor. It was during this time that Rippon collected and published his Selections in 1787. He is the likely author of "How Firm a Foundation." Go to person page >

Author: K.

In John Rippon's A Selection of Hymns (1787, plus numerous subsequent editions), "How Firm a Foundation" (no. 128) is attributed simply to "K—". Two other hymns in the collection bear the same mark, "In songs of sublime adoration and praise," and "The Bible is justly esteemed." The author of the hymn has never been definitively identified, but the most common candidates are listed below. I. Robert Keen(e) The most likely possibility is Robert Keene, who served as precentor at Rippon's church. The evidence for connecting K with Keene comes (1) from his close acquaintance with Rippon, (2) Rippon's tune book, and (3) the testimony (of sorts) of Thomas Walker. After Rippon started publishing a tune book, A Selection of Psalm and Hymn T… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: In songs of sublime adoration and praise
Title: Distinguishing Grace
Author (attributed to): R. Keen
Author: K. (1787)
Source: "K" in Rippon's A Selection of Hymns, 1787
Place of Origin: London, England
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Tune

SAMANTHRA


CONCORD (Caldwell)


VILLE DU HAVRE

The gospel tune by Philip Bliss (PHH 482) was named after the ship on which his friends died; VILLE DU HAVRE (also called IT IS WELL) is best sung in harmony throughout. The refrain may be sung only once–after stanza 4 as a final testimony. Use a moderate organ accompaniment to support confident s…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 90 of 90)

A Compilation of Genuine Church Music. 4th ed. #d146

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A New Selection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #767

A Select Collection of Songs Designed for the Use of the Pious of Every Denomination #d12

A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d113

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A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #S.XLI

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A Selection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs #S.XLI

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A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors. #110

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Baptist Hymn Book #aB32

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Book of Worship #97

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Choice Hymns #124

Church Melodies, a Collection of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs #d496

Conference Hymns for Social Worship. 8th ed. #d64

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Evangelical Hymns #332b

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Hymn and Tune Book for Use in Old School or Primitive Baptist Churches #180

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Hymns of the "Jubilee Harp" #a533

Hymns of The Voice of Praise #d120

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Hymns of Worship #354

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Hymns, Selected and Original, for Public and Private Worship #319

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Hymns #319

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Hymns #319

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Hymns #319

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Hymns #319

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New Select Hymns #38

Our Favorite Hymnal #d143

Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune book #d190

Primitive Baptist Hymn and Tune Book. Rev. #d79

Primitive Baptist Hymnal #d160

Psalms and Hymns for the Worship of God #d368

Revival Hymns #d28

Revival Hymns. 4th ed. #d54

Select Hymns #d220

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Select Hymns #221

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Songs for Social and Public Worship #1036

Songs for Social and Public Worship. Rev. ed. #d186

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Songs of Pilgrimage #1436

Spurgeon's Own Hymn Book #219

The American Repository of Sacred Music #d79

The Baptist Harmony #d179

The Baptist Harmony #d180

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The Baptist Hymn and Tune Book #98

The Baptist Hymn Book, in Two Parts #d267

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The Baptist Hymn Book #495

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The Baptist Hymn Book #B32

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The Choice #S159

The Choice #S159

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The Christian Harmonist #110

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The Christian Lyre, Volume 1 #33

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The Christian Lyre #33

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The Christian Lyre #33

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The Christian Psalmist; or, Watts' Psalms and Hymns #165

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The Cluster of Spiritual Songs, Divine Hymns and Sacred Poems #II

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The Congregational Hymn Book #121

The Good Old Songs #d270

The Good Old Songs #15

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The Jubilee Harp #533

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The Lord's Songs #CCXX

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The New Harp of Columbia #49

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The New Jubilee Harp #S35

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The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts #828

The Sabbath Chimes #d131

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The Sacred Lyre #34

The Vestry Hymn Book #d219

The Voice of Praise #d120

The Young Convert's Companion #d51

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Vestry Harmonies #109

Village Hymns #151

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Village hymns for social worship, selected and original #151

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Village Hymns for Social Worship, Selected and Original #151

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Book of Worship (Rev. ed.) #97

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A Selection of Hymns #CX

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Village hymns for social worship, selected and original #151

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Hymns of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, as authorized by the General Convention #299

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Hymns, Selected and Original #319

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The New Christian Hymnal #128

Exclude 89 pre-1979 instances
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