Hymn Series Day 3 – Come Thou Fount
Robert Robinson's father died when he was just five years old in 1741. He was quickly disinherited by His wealthy grandfather, and had to leave school early to find work. He was sent to London at 14 and became an apprentice barber… And because he had become too wild and reckless for his mother to handle. Continuing this lifestyle in London, he became drunken gambler by 17. Apparently, he and his gang were harassing a gypsy, demanding that she tell them their fortunes for free. She pointed right at Robinson and said “You will live to see your children and grandchildren.”
Growing up fatherless, this struck a tender chord with him and he found himself in a church trying to right his wrongs. One particular Sunday, George Whitefield was preaching out of Matthew 3:7 “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” and it filled Robinson with such dread that he wandered still from God for another three years.
At 20, he finally gave his life to Christ and shortly after became a Methodist preacher. He wrote “Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing” when he was just 22 years old. It's almost autobiographical in confession, being an outpouring of Robinson's experiences with great sin and greater grace. He had many ups and downs throughout his ministry and life…
It is said that later in life, he walked away from God for a time. One day, he was travelling on a stagecoach, his only companion, a stranger. She started humming the tune to a Hymn and asked Robinson if he knew what Hymn she was singing. He famously replied with “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who composed that hymn, many years ago. And I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I then had!” To which she answered “Sir, the ‘streams of mercy’ are still flowing.” He was deeply touched by that. As a result of the encounter, he repented. His relationship with Jesus was restored through the ministry of his own hymn, and a Christian’s willing witness.
What an incredible story of Grace and providence. You are never ‘too far gone' to tune your heart to sing of His Great grace and unfailing love.
The Lyrics to ‘Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing':
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothèd then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.