One of the first songs that I introduced at Sovereign Hope was a song written by Dustin Kensrue called "My One Comfort". In it we find the truth of the costly purchase of our salvation, the reality of our identity being found in Christ, and our hope that the Holy Spirit's work in us will lead us to persevere.
Here's the song:
"MY ONE COMFORT"
VERSE
My one comfort, both in life and death,
is that I am not my own.
I was bought with blood and I confess
"I belong to you alone".
CHORUS
By the Father's good decree
Jesus, you've delivered me.
By your spirit, set me free to follow you.
BRIDGE
Jesus, you have taken hold of me
and in your grip of grace I'm finally free.
The Heidelberg Catechism
It would be impossible to discuss the content of "My One Comfort" without taking a look at the text that has supplied the themes, ideas, and even lyrics found in the song. The Heidelberg Catechism, written in 1563, is a Protestant confession of essential doctrine that follows a question and answer format. The first question it asks is "What is thy only comfort in life and death?”. Let's read it together and find not only our song in its verses, but the permeating truth of scripture.
Question 1
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer
That I with body and soul, both in life and death,
(Romans 14:7-8)
am not my own,
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;
(1 Corinthians 3:23; Titus 2:14)
who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins,
(1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:2,12)
and delivered me from all the power of the devil;
(Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8; John 8:34-36)
and so preserves me
(John 6:39; John 10:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:5)
that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;
(Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 21:18)
yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation,
(Romans 8:28)
and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life,
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:16)
and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.
(Romans 8:14; 1 John 3:3)
Old Words for New Ears
The words of this confession and the scriptural truths that are proclaimed are robust and good for our souls. While we ever move forward in style and instrumentation, this song is proof that there is a large well to draw from, created by saints that have gone before us. Even more encouraging for our personal worship is the well of scripture that will never run dry. May our songs and praise always be grown near streams of living water that satisfy every thirst. (John 7:37-38)
