A Glimpse of Canaan

Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand is one of my very favorite renovated hymns (old text, new music.) We sing it in church, and I have versions on several cds (here, http://www.auburn.edu/ruf/loveunknown/page.html, for example.) During the past 18ish months, though, I have been unable to listen to it without crying. I get to the third verse and hear, "O then what raptured greetings on Canaan’s happy shore; what knitting severed friendships up where partings are no more!" and all I can think about is a friend of mine from whom I have been estranged - and I wonder if I will really have to wait until heaven for that relationship to be restored.

Yesterday, God opened the door for reconciliation. It made me happy. I love you Susan.

Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand

1. Ten thousand times ten thousand
In sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints throng
Up the steepes of light:
’Tis finished, all is finished,
Their fight with death and sin;
Fling open wide the golden gates,
And let the victors in.

2. What rush of alleluias
Fills all the earth and sky!
What ringing of a thousand harps
Bespeaks the triumph nigh!
O day, for which creation
And all its tribes were made;
O joy, for all its former woes
A thousandfold repaid!

3. O then what raptured greetings
On Canaan’s happy shore;
What knitting severed friendships up
Where partings are no more!
Then eyes with joy shall sparkle,
That brimmed with tears of late;
Orphans no longer fatherless,
Nor widows desolate.

4. Bring near Thy great salvation,
Thou Lamb for sinners slain;
Fill up the roll of Thine elect,
Then take Thy power, and reign;
Appear, Desire of nations,
Thine exiles long for home;
Show in the heaven Thy promised sign;
Thou Prince and Savior, come.

©1997 Christopher Miner Music.