Worship Arts Notes

John and Charles Wesley strongly believed in having congregational singing at their meetings.  They believed that their hymns would help to convict sinners, encourage the saints, and educate all in the Christian faith. One day in 1762, as Charles was reading Matthew Henry’s commentary on Leviticus 8:35, the phrase “and keep the charge of the LORD” seemed to stand out. The Levitical priests had the responsibility of making sure that everything that took place at the Tabernacle of Israel was in accordance with the word and will of God. He believed that Christians are given a similar charge to keep.  

As many of the early hymn-writers did, Charles Wesley wrote a continuing narrative through the stanzas of his hymns, making it important not to omit any stanza. “A Charge to Keep I Have” outlines the challenge given to believers to glorify God, serve the present generation, and do God’s will. The Christian is admonished to be armed with “jealous care” so that an account can be given to God. 

New England music educator, Lowell Mason, wrote the commonly-used tune “Boylton” in 1832, seventy years later across the Atlantic Ocean in the United States.   

The hymn calls for a total commitment to serve God faithfully. Success is not measured by wealth or fame, but by doing the job God has for the believer, whether great or small. Paul wrote, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)  

A charge to keep I have,  

A God to glorify,  

Who gave his Son my soul to save,  

And fit it for the sky:  

To serve the present age,  

My calling to fulfill:  

Oh may it all my pow'rs engage  

To do my Master's will!  

Arm me with jealous care,  

As in thy sight to live,  

And O! Thy servant, Lord, prepare  

A strict account to give:  

Help me to watch and pray,  

And on thyself rely,  

And let me ne’er my trust betray,  

But press to realms on high.