Lyrics

The translation reflected on this site is the Charlesworth Translation, though a variety of translations were considered in the development of The Odes Project.

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Original

Adapted
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Ode 1 Like a Crown
 Liner Notes
1. The Lord is on my head like a crown, and I shall never be without Him.
2. Plaited for me is the crown of truth and it caused Your branches to blossom in me.
3. For it is not like a parched crown that blossoms not;
4. For You live upon my head, and have blossomed upon me.
5. Your fruits are full and complete; they are full of Your salvation….		 ©Schreiner/The Odes Project

He is on my head Like a Crown
He is on my head Like a Crown
And I shall never, I shall never
Be without Him
Be without Him
Be without Him

Knowing that the crown or garland was a prominent adornment in wedding ceremonies, I wanted to create music that would transmit the wonder, awe, and mystery of becoming the bride of Christ, and it was important to communicate strength in being joined to the everlasting God. And in the truth of that, portray the image of never being without Him, never being alone, never forsaken, never abandoned, always loved, always united to the God who saves us. I started with mystery and moved towards resolution and strength.
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Ode 2   N/A  
*Never recovered
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Ode 3 I’m Putting On the Love of the Lord Liner Notes
1. I am putting on the love of the Lord.
2. And His members are with Him, and I am dependent on them; and He loves me.
3. For I should not have known how to love the Lord, if He had not continuously
loved me.
4. Who is able to distinguish love, except him who is loved?
5. I love the Beloved and I myself love Him, and where His rest is, there also am I.
6. And I shall be no stranger, because there is no jealousy with the Lord Most High
and Merciful.
7. I have been united to Him, because the lover has found the Beloved, because I love
Him that is the Son, I shall become a son.
8. Indeed he who is joined to Him who is immortal, truly shall be immortal.
9. And he who delights in the Life will become living.
10. This is the Spirit of the Lord, which is not false, which teaches the sons of men to
know His ways.
11. Be wise and understanding and awakened.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectI’m putting on the love of the Lord. (I’m putting on the love of the Lord)
I’m putting on the love of the Lord. (I’m putting on the love of the Lord)
And I will be no stranger (And I will be no stranger)
For He loves me (For He loves me) Alleluia (Alleluia)
Undivided (Undivided) Alleluia (Alleluia)
Because my love is Him that is the Son
I shall become a child of God
I love Him, because He first loved me
And where His rest is, I know that I shall be
For He loves me (For He loves me) Alleluia (Alleluia)
Undivided (Undivided) Alleluia (Alleluia) Immortal God of Earth and Heaven
Be our Wisdom, and guide us in our ways
Lord, awaken us in love, mighty Counselor
and unite us to serve You in this day
For Your glory (For Your glory) Alleluia (Alleluia)
Undivided (Undivided) Alleluia (Alleluia)		 I learned much from Hughes Oliphant Old about the early church and the way they feasted and wore clothes for a celebration when they worshiped. In composing the music, I wanted to give the sense of methodically preparing our hearts for worship in the way we get dressed. Thinking along the lines of quiet contemplation, I endeavored to write something that would be repetitious, simple and thoughtful to turn the heart towards the peaceful benefits of the presence of God with us. The chorus at the end is a prayer for wisdom and guidance as we seek to honor God in all that we do.
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Ode 4 Shower upon us Your Gentle Rain Liner Notes
Ode 41. No man can pervert Your holy place, O my God; nor can he change it, and put it in
another place.
2. Because he has no power over it; for Your sanctuary You designed before You
made special places.
3. The ancient one shall not be perverted by those which are inferior to it. You have
given Your heart, O Lord, to Your believers.
4. Never will You be idle, nor will You be without fruits;
5. For one hour of Your faith is more excellent than all days and years.
6. For who shall put on Your grace and be rejected?
7. Because Your seal is known; and Your creatures are known to it.
8. And Your hosts possess it, and the elect archangels are clothed with it.
9. You have given to us Your fellowship, not that You were in need of us, but that we
are always in need of You.
10. Shower upon us Your gentle rain, and open Your bountiful springs which
abundantly supply us with milk and honey.
11. For there is no regret with You; that You should regret anything which You have
promised;
12. Since the result was manifest to You.
13. For that which You gave, You gave freely, so that no longer will You draw back
and take them again.
14. For all was manifest to You as God, and was set in order from the beginning before
You.
15. And You, O Lord, have made all.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectYou have given Your heart, to Your believers.
You have given so freely, and You never fail,
You have given Your presence, and we need you forever
For one moment with You, is better than all of our days, all of our days.Shower upon us Your gentle rain, shower upon us Your gentle rain
and open up Your springs of milk and honey.
Shower upon us Your gentle rain, shower upon us Your gentle rain
and open up Your springs of milk and honey. Open our heartsFor who shall put on Your grace and be rejected?
There is no looking back, for You have sealed us in Your name
You have given Your heart, and You never fail,
For one moment with You, is better than all of our days, all of our days.		 Who can put on Your grace and be rejected? Ultimately, all we are and will ever be is found in God. We pray for more and more of God and the revelation of His goodness in our lives. I wrote this music to be used as a meditation. The intention is for everyone to sing the chorus but to listen during the verses. Before the chorus, I used ascending chords that remind me of longing for the transcendent God.
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Ode 5 I Shall Not Fear Liner Notes
1. I praise You, O Lord, because I love You.
2. O Most High, forsake me not, for You are my hope.
3. Freely did I receive Your grace, may I live by it.
4. My persecutors will come but let them not see me.
5. Let a cloud of darkness fall upon their eyes; and let an air of thick darkness obscure
them.
6. And let them have no light to see, so that they cannot seize me.
7. Let their designs become hardened, so that whatever they have conspired shall
return upon their own heads.
8. For they have devised a plan, but it was not for them.
9. They prepared themselves maliciously, but they were found to be impotent.
10. Indeed my confidence is upon the Lord, and I will not fear.
11. And because the Lord is my salvation, I will not fear.
12. And He is as a woven crown upon my head, and I shall not be shaken.
13. Even if everything should be shaken, I shall stand firm.
14. And though all things visible should perish, I shall not die;
15. Because the Lord is with me, and I with Him.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectBecause the Lord is my salvation
I will not fear
Because my confidence is in You
I will not fear
Because You are with me
I will not fear
For I am with You
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Amen		 I praise You O Lord because I love You. This is a devotional for a time of duress.
Because this has so much in common with the psalms of David when he was hiding from his enemies, I thought it best to start with simplicity and use just acoustic guitar, flute and voice. In this I was imagining the prayers of someone alone. However, with the theme of being strengthened by God and the fellowship of His people, and the knowledge that what God establishes will stand, I brought in lots of instruments and people to join the chorus celebration. The verse is in a minor mode, looking to God, but mindful that the environment is serious. The chorus is in a major key, triumphant in the knowledge that God is with us.
I Shall Stand
©Duhan/Schreiner/The Odes ProjectI thank you O Lord because I love You
I praise you O Lord I will not fear
Freely did I receive Your grace
You won’t forsake me
For You are my hope, You are my hopeOppressors will come, let them not see me
Let darkness like a cloud fall on their eyes
So they won’t take a hold upon me
Hallelujah for my salvationThough all things visible should perish
And everything should be shaken
I shall stand, I shall stand, I shall stand for the Lord is with me
Though all things visible should perish
And even if everything should be shaken
I shall stand, I shall stand, I shall stand for the Lord is with meHe is a garland upon my head
And I shall never be moved
In Him is all my confidence
The Lord is with me and I am with him
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Ode 6 N/A
1. As the wind glides through the harp and the strings speak,
2. So the Spirit of the Lord speaks through my members, and I speak through His love.
3. For He destroys whatever is alien, and everything is of the Lord.
4. For thus it was from the beginning, and will be until the end.
5. So that nothing shall be contrary, and nothing shall rise up against Him.
6. The Lord has multiplied his knowledge, and He was zealous that those things
should be known which through His grace have been given to us.
7. And His praise He gave us on account of His name, our spirits praise His Holy Spirit.
8. For there went forth a stream, and it became a river great and broad; indeed it
carried away everything, and it shattered and brought it to the Temple.
9. And the barriers which were built by men were not able to restrain it, nor even the
arts of them who habitually restrain water.
10. For it spread over the surface of all the earth, and it filled everything.
11. Then all the thirsty upon the earth drank, and thirst was relieved and quenched;
12. For from the Most High the drink was given.
13. Blessed, therefore, are the ministers of that drink, who have been entrusted with His water.
14. They have refreshed the parched lips, and have aroused the paralyzed will.
15. Even living persons who were about to expire, they have held back from death.
16. And limbs which have collapsed, they have restored and set up.
17. They gave strength for their coming, and light for their eyes.
18. Because everyone recognized them as the Lord’s, and lived by the living water of
eternity.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 7 My Joy Is the Lord Liner Notes
1. As is the course of anger over wickedness, so is the course of joy over the Beloved;
and brings in of its fruits unhindered.
2. My joy is the Lord and my course is towards Him, this path of mine is beautiful.
3. For there is a Helper for me, the Lord. He has generously shown Himself to me in
His simplicity, because His kindness has diminished His dreadfulness.
4. He became like me, that I might receive Him. In form He was considered like me,
that I might put Him on.
5. And I trembled not when I saw Him, because He was gracious to me.
6. Like my nature He became, that I might understand Him. And like my form, that I
might not turn away from Him.
7. The Father of knowledge is the Word of knowledge.
8. He who created wisdom is wiser than His works.
9. And He who created me when yet I was not knew what I would do when I came into being.
10. On account of this He was gracious to me in His abundant grace, and allowed me
to ask from Him and to benefit from His sacrifice.
11. For He it is who is incorrupt, the perfection of the worlds and their Father.
12. He has allowed Him to appear to them that are His own; in order that they may
recognize Him that made them, and not suppose that they came of themselves.
13. For towards knowledge He has set His way, he has widened it and lengthened it
and brought it to complete perfection.
14. And has set over it the traces of His light, and it proceeded from the beginning until the end.
15. For by Him He was served, and He was pleased by the Son.
16. And because of his salvation He will possess everything. And the Most High will
be known by His holy ones:
17. To announce to those who have songs of the coming of the Lord, that they may go
forth to meet Him and may sing to Him, with joy and with the harp of many tones.
18. The Seers shall go before Him, and they shall be seen before Him.
19. And they shall praise the Lord in His love, because He is near and does see.
20. And hatred shall be removed from the earth, and with jealousy it shall be drowned.
21. For ignorance was destroyed upon it, because the knowledge of the Lord arrived
upon it.
22. Let the singers sing the grace of the Lord Most High, and let them bring their
songs.
23. And let their heart be like the day, and their gentle voices like the majestic beauty of the Lord.
24. And let there not be anyone who breathes that is without knowledge or voice.
25. For He gave a mouth to His creation: to open the voice of the mouth towards Him, and to praise Him.
26. Confess His power and declare His grace.
Hallelujah.		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/The Odes ProjectAlleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia,
My joy is the Lord
My course is towards Him
This path of mine
Is beautiful, beautiful
He became like me
In nature and in form
That I might not
Turn away, Turn away from HimLet the singers sing the grace of the Lord
He gave a mouth to His creation
And let their heart be like the day
To open their voice and sing praise to Him
To open their voice and sing praise to HimHe has allowed Himself to appear
To them who are His own
That they may sing to Him with joy
And with the harp bring praise to Him, in His loveLet the singers sing the grace of the Lord
He gave a mouth to His creation
And let their heart be like the day
To open their voice and sing praise to Him
To open their voice and sing praise to HimFor towards knowledge
He set His way
Widened and lengthened
And brought to perfection
And set over it
traces of light
from the beginning
Until the endLet the singers sing the grace of the Lord
For He gave a mouth to his creation
And let their heart be like the day
To open their voice and sing praise to Him
To open their voice and sing praise to Him		 My joy is the Lord. Looking at this Ode, I couldn’t help but imagine a celestial festival where the singers proclaim that the grace of the Lord and His righteousness and truth are unhindered by the fall. I thought of the quality of the movie Chariots of Fire, and I decided to employ some of the same style of nobility and grandeur to this text. Other than a quick usage to restate the last line of the chorus, I used no minor chords and kept the focus on a light beauty and joyful state of praise.
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Ode 8 Rise Up! Liner Notes
1. Open, open your hearts to the exultation of the Lord, and let your love abound
from the heart to the lips.
2. In order to bring forth fruits to the Lord, a holy life; and to talk with watchfulness in His light.
3. Rise up and stand erect, you who sometimes were brought low.
4. You who were in silence, speak, for your mouth has been opened.
5. You who were despised, from henceforth be lifted up, for your Righteousness has been lifted up;
6. For the right hand of the Lord is with you, and He will be your Helper.
7. And peace was prepared for you, before what may be your war.
8. Hear the word of truth, and receive the knowledge of the Most High.
9. Your flesh may not understand that which I am about to say to you; nor your garment that which I am about to show
you.
10. Keep my mystery, you who are kept by it; keep my faith, you who are kept by it.
11. And understand my knowledge, you who know me in truth; love me with affection, you who love;
12. For I turn not my face from my own, because I know them.
13. And before they had existed, I recognized them; and imprinted a seal on their faces.
14. I fashioned their members, and my own breasts I prepared for them, that they
might drink my holy milk and live by it.
15. I am pleased by them, and am not ashamed by them.
16. For my workmanship are they, and the strength of my thoughts.
17. Therefore who can stand against my work? Or who is not subject to them?
18. I willed and fashioned mind and heart, and they are my own. And upon my right
hand I have set my elect ones.
19. And my righteousness goes before them, and they shall not be deprived of my
name; for it is with them.
20. Pray and increase, and abide in the love of the Lord;
21. And you who were loved in the Beloved, and you who are kept in Him who lives,
and you who are saved in Him who was saved.
22. And you shall be found incorrupt in all ages, on account of the name of your
Father.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectYou who sometimes were brought so low, Rise up, RISE UP
You who were in silence: now raise your voice , Rise up, RISE UP
You that were despised be lifted up, Rise up, RISE UP
For the right hand of the Lord is with you right now Rise up, RISE UP
Open your hearts, All you who are saved, IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER
Through all generations, abiding in His love, IN THE NAME OF THE SON
Now and forever, Let your love abound, IN THE NAME OF THE SPIRIT
For the right hand of the Lord is with you right now Rise up, RISE UPChorus:
Christ in us, this wondrous mystery
Christ in us, from age to age
Christ in us, the hope of glory
For You have sealed us in your nameYou who sometimes were brought so low, stand tall, RISE UP
You who were in silence: may you shout for joy, RISE UP
You who were despised may you be lifted up, RISE UP
For the right hand of the Lord is with you right now Rise up, RISE UP		 Rise Up! Many Odes address God directly, but this one is directed more towards the Church, especially those who are suffering. Many church hymns through the ages have exhorted the Church to rise up, but this hymn is exceptional because we realize very clearly that we only rise up because of the right hand of the Father-He is our helper. What humility and compassion the Father has on His own people. So, we must show the same and encourage with patience and understanding. That is why I took away most of the accompaniment for the restatement of the first verse. I wanted to emphasize the sensitivity and love that is in this text. I used more of a Celtic beat to move the song along and give a pulsing strength to the text.
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Ode 9 He blesses his people with peace Liner Notes
1. Open your ears, and I shall speak to you.
2. Give me yourself, so that I may also give you myself.
3. The word of the Lord and His desires, the holy thought which He has thought
concerning His Messiah.
4. For in the will of the Lord is your life, and His purpose is eternal life, and your
perfection is incorruptible.
5. Be enriched in God the Father; and receive the purpose of the Most High. Be
strong and redeemed by His grace.
6. For I announce peace to you, His holy ones, so that none of those who hear shall
fall in the war.
7. And also that those who have known Him may not perish, and so that those who
received Him may not be ashamed.
8. An everlasting crown is Truth; blessed are they who set it on their head.
9. It is a precious stone, for the wars were on account of the crown.
10. But Righteousness has taken it, and has given it to you.
11. Put on the crown in the true covenant of the Lord, and all those who have
conquered will be inscribed in His book.
12. For their book is the reward of victory which is for you, and she sees you before
her and wills that you shall be saved.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectOpen our ears to hear You speak ,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
Your word and Your good pleasures,
He blesses his people with peace.
In Your will is our salvation,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
And Your thoughts are everlasting ,
He blesses his people with peace.Be strong Be strong
and be redeemed and be redeemed
by His grace by His grace
Be strong Be strong
And receive. and receive
the gift of peace, the gift of peaceFor you proclaim peace to your saints,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
those who receive, do not be ashamed,
He blesses his people with peace.
An everlasting crown is Truth,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
Blessed are they who wear it,
.He blesses his people with peace.
Open our ears to hear You speak ,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
Your word and Your good pleasures,
He blesses his people with peace.
In Your will is our salvation,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
And Your thoughts are everlasting ,
He blesses his people with peace.Be strong Be strong
and be redeemed and be redeemed
by His grace by His grace
Be strong Be strong
And receive. and receive
the gift of peace, the gift of peaceFor you proclaim peace to your saints,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
those who receive, do not be ashamed,
He blesses his people with peace.
An everlasting crown is Truth,
The LORD gives strength to his people;
Blessed are they who wear it.
He blesses his people with peace.		 God blesses His people with peace. This Ode has so much in common with the encouragement of the last Ode. God calls us to put on the crown in the true covenant of the Lord, to receive from His limitless supply of peace and find redemption in Him.
This is heavy stuff and requires much contemplation. For me, I need to listen again and again. I decided to make this a variation on a chant. I kept the movements of the melody close together to give this a weightier contemplative sound, and I put a Mediterranean style beat to pulse underneath the melody and give rhythm to the thoughts.
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Ode 10 N/A
1. The Lord has directed my mouth by His Word, and has opened my heart by His Light.
2. And He has caused to dwell in me His immortal life, and permitted me to proclaim
the fruit of His peace.
3. To convert the lives of those who desire to come to Him, and to lead those who are
captive into freedom.
4. I took courage and became strong and captured the world, and the captivity became
mine for the glory of the Most High, and of God my Father.
5. And the Gentiles who had been dispersed were gathered together, but I was not
defiled by my love for them, because they had praised me in high places.
6. And the traces of light were set upon their heart, and they walked according to my
life and were saved, and they became my people forever and ever.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 11 Meditation on Paradise Liner Notes
1. My heart was pruned and its flower appeared, then grace sprang up in it, and my
heart produced fruits for the Lord.
2. For the Most High circumcised me by His Holy Spirit, then He uncovered my
inward being towards Him, and filled me with His love.
3. And His circumcising became my salvation, and I ran in the Way, in His peace, in
the way of truth.
4. From the beginning until the end I received His knowledge.
5. And I was established upon the rock of truth, where He had set me.
6. And speaking waters touched my lips from the fountain of the Lord generously.
7. And so I drank and became intoxicated, from the living water that does not die.
8. And my intoxication did not cause ignorance, but I abandoned vanity,
9. And turned toward the Most High, my God, and was enriched by His favors.
10. And I rejected the folly cast upon the earth, and stripped it off and cast it from me.
11. And the Lord renewed me with His garment, and possessed me by His light.
12. And from above He gave me immortal rest, and I became like the land that
blossoms and rejoices in its fruits.
13. And the Lord is like the sun upon the face of the land.
14. My eyes were enlightened, and my face received the dew;
15. And my breath was refreshed by the pleasant fragrance of the Lord.
16. And He took me to His Paradise, wherein is the wealth of the Lord’s pleasure.
I beheld blooming and fruit-bearing trees,
And self-grown was their crown.
Their branches were sprouting and their fruits were shining.
From an immortal land were their roots.
And a river of gladness was irrigating them,
And round about them in the land of eternal life.
17. Then I worshipped the Lord because of His magnificence.
18. And I said, Blessed, O Lord, are they who are planted in Your land, and who have
a place in Your Paradise;
19. And who grow in the growth of Your trees, and have passed from darkness into light.
20. Behold, all Your laborers are fair, they who work good works, and turn from
wickedness to your pleasantness.
21. For the pungent odor of the trees is changed in Your land,
22. And everything becomes a remnant of Yourself. Blessed are the workers of Your
waters, and eternal memorials of Your faithful servants.
23. Indeed, there is much room in Your Paradise. And there is nothing in it which is
barren, but everything is filled with fruit.
24. Glory be to You, O God, the delight of Paradise for ever.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectMy heart was pruned and its flower appeared,
then grace sprang up within,
and my heart brought forth fruits in abundance for the Lord.
The Most High opened my heart towards Him, and filled me with His love.
and I ran in the Way, in His peace,
and I ran in the way of His truth
He took me to His Paradise
Where I beheld these trees
Whose branches were sprouting and full of fruits
Immortal land held their roots. A river of gladness watered them, And the land of eternal life.
And I said, Blessed, O Lord, are they who are planted in Your land,
Blessed, O Lord, are they who have a place in Your Paradise;
And the Lord is like the sun upon the face of the land
and I become the land that blossoms and rejoices in the light
Glory be to You, O God, the delight of Paradise for ever		 This song is a journey into the garden where believers are planted in fertile soil and tended to by God himself. This beautiful poetry was set to music that is meant to stay out of the way and allow the narrative to unfold. There is very little tension in the music until the end when the kids sing “the delight of Paradise forever” in reference to God. I wish there was more music to meditate on of this type. We’ve missed out on much beautiful imagery by our ignorance of poetry, and this type of song should be more prevalent in the church.
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Ode 12 Flow Through Me
1. He has filled me with words of truth, that I may proclaim Him.
2. And like the flowing of waters, truth flows from my mouth, and my lips declare His fruits.
3. And He has caused His knowledge to abound in me, because the mouth of the Lord
is the true Word, and the entrance of His light.
4. And the Most High has given Him to His generations, which are the interpreters of
His beauty,
And the narrators of His glory,
And the confessors of His purpose,
And the preachers of His mind,
And the teachers of His works.
5. For the subtlety of the Word is inexpressible, and like His utterance so also is His
swiftness and His acuteness, for limitless is His progression.
6. He never falls but remains standing, and one cannot comprehend His descent or His way.
7. For as His work is, so is His expectation, for He is the light and dawning of thought.
8. And by Him the generations spoke to one another, and those that were silent acquired speech.
9. And from Him came love and equality, and they spoke one to another that which was theirs.
10. And they were stimulated by the Word, and knew Him who made them, because they were in harmony.
11. For the mouth of the Most High spoke to them, and His exposition prospered through Him.
12. For the dwelling place of the Word is man, and His truth is love.
13. Blessed are they who by means of Him have perceived everything, and have known the Lord in His truth.
Hallelujah.		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectHe filled me with his truth
So I sing of His beauty
He came to dwell with me
So that I reflect His light
He poured out his love on me
So I can show mercy
He gave me the truth of his Word
So I share his loveCome and Flow living waters
Flow through me
That I might serve You
Flow living waters
Flow through me
That I might serve you
Overflowing, overflowing to those who thirst.Inexpressible
Before the dawning of His light
His eternal Word
His mind and his thought
Unsearchable
Yet your Word dwells with me
And Your truth is love, One to another
I will sing of Your beauty, Your glory, Your purpose, Your waysBlessed are they who know him
Blessed are they who love
Blessed are they who know him
Blessed are they who loveOne to another, One to another, One to another
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Ode 13 N/A
1. Behold, the Lord is our mirror. Open your eyes and see them in Him.
2. And learn the manner of your face, then declare praises to His Spirit.
3. And wipe the paint from your face, and love His holiness and put it on.
4. Then you will be unblemished at all times with Him.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 14 Guide Me Home Liner Notes
1. As the eyes of a son upon his father, so are my eyes, O Lord, at all times towards You.
2. Because my breasts and my pleasure are with You.
3. Turn not aside Your mercies from me, O Lord; and take not Your kindness from me.
4. Stretch out to me, my Lord, at all times, Your right hand, and be to me a guide till
the end according to Your will.
5. Let me be pleasing before You, because of Your glory, and because of Your name
let me be saved from the Evil One.
6. And let Your gentleness, O Lord, abide with me, and the fruits of Your love.
7. Teach me the odes of Your truth, that I may produce fruits in You.
8. And open to me the harp of Your Holy Spirit, so that with every note I may praise
You, O Lord.9. And according to the multitude of Your mercies, so grant unto me, and hasten to
grant our petitions.
10. For You are sufficient for all our needs.
Hallelujah.		 ©DuhanSchreiner/ The Odes ProjectAs a child sees his Father
So my eyes look towards You
Guide me by Your Spirit
To praise You as the angels doGUIDE ME HOME gentle Father GUIDE ME By your kindness
GUIDE ME HOME in your love
GUIDE ME HOME by Your hand GUIDE ME For your glory
SAFELY HOME in your loveSave me from the Evil One
All I need I have in you
Hear my prayer, for you are able
Teach me by your songs of truth		 Who doesn’t pray for guidance? I desperately need the leading of the Spirit of God in all of my ways. Because this Ode reads so much like a psalm, I wrote music that I could visualize David singing. This is not to say my music is anything like David’s, but I imagine a setting of a harp or a solo guitar and beautiful chords being played in a minor key. I went to a major key at the beginning of the chorus as if to communicate that I believe God hears me when I call to Him, and I don’t despair. I often have despaired when looking around me, or even to my own past, but I am filled with hope when I look to God. Home is ultimately the New Jerusalem, where the glory that now surrounds the Lamb of God will be visible to our eyes.
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Ode 15 Eternal Life Has Arisen Liner Notes
1. As the sun is the joy of them who seek its daybreak, so is my joy the Lord;
2. Because He is my Sun, and His rays have lifted me up; and His light has dismissed
all darkness from my face.
3. Eyes I have obtained in Him, and have seen His holy day.
4. Ears I have acquired, and have heard His truth.
5. The thought of knowledge I have acquired, and have enjoyed delight fully through
Him.
6. I repudiated the way of error, and went towards Him and received salvation from
Him abundantly.
7. And according to His generosity He gave to me, and according to His excellent
beauty He made me.
8. I put on immortality through His name, and took off corruption by His grace.
9. Death has been destroyed before my face, and Sheol has been vanquished by my
word.
10. And eternal life has arisen in the Lord’s land, and it has been declared to His
faithful ones, and has been given without limit to all that trust in Him.
Hallelujah		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/The Odes ProjectAs the sun is the joy
Of them who seek its daybreak
So is my joy
The Lord
Because he is my Sun
His rays lift me up
And Death has been vanquished
By his wordEternal life has arisen
In the Lord’s land
It has been given without limit
To all that trust in himI have heard his truth
I have seen his holy day
The thought of knowledge
I have gained
I went towards him
And received salvation
His light dismissed all darkness
From my face
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah		 Eternal life is here now, for all who believe. For this ode I tried to think of a sunrise over the Eastern world, and the experience of those who waited their whole life (like Simeon) to hear of the coming Messiah. My hope was to articulate eternal life in the Lord’s land, given without limit for those who trust in Christ. This is an ultimate expression of joy. Blessing upon blessing, love upon love, unity and hope. Hallelujah.
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Ode 16 My Love is the Lord Liner Notes
1. As the occupation of the ploughman is the ploughshare, and the occupation of the
helmsman is the steering of the ship, so also my occupation is the psalm of the
Lord by His hymns.
2. My art and my service are in His hymns, because His love has nourished my heart,
and His fruits He poured unto my lips.
3. For my love is the Lord; hence I will sing unto Him.
4. For I am strengthened by His praises, and I have faith in Him.
5. I will open my mouth, and His Spirit will speak through me the glory of the Lord
and His beauty,
6. The work of His hands, and the labor of His fingers;
7. For the multitude of His mercies, and the strength of His Word.
8. For the Word of the Lord investigates that which is invisible, and reveals His
thought.
9. For the eye sees His works, and the ear hears His thought.
10. It is He who made the earth broad, and placed the waters in the sea.
11. He expanded the heaven, and fixed the stars.
12. And He fixed the creation and set it up, then He rested from His works.
13. And created things run according to their courses, and work their works, for they
can never cease nor fail.
14. And the hosts are subject to His Word.
15. The reservoir of light is the sun, and the reservoir of darkness is the night.
16. For He made the sun for the day so that it will be light; but night brings darkness
over the face of the earth.
17. And by their portion one from another they complete the beauty of God.
18. And there is nothing outside of the Lord, because He was before anything came to
be.
19. And the worlds are by His Word, and by the thought of His heart.
20. Praise and honor to His name.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectMy love is the Lord
I will sing unto him (my love is the Lord I will sing unto Him)
My love is the Lord
I will sing unto him (His mercy endures forever)
Praise and honor to his name
For creation by his Word
He was before the world was made
Nothing is without the LordHe spread out the earth
Settled the waters
Made the sun for the day
And darkness for night
They never fail
The labor of his fingers
To strengthen his praise
And rest in his worksI will open my mouth
And speak of his beauty
The work of his hands
Infinite mercies, Infinite merciesHe fixed the stars
And set up creation
Set its course
By the thought of His heart
We see his work
We hear his thought
and the Spirit speaks
Of the beauty of GodI will open my mouth
And speak of this beauty
The work of his hands
Infinite mercies, Infinite mercies		 My love is the Lord, I will sing unto Him. This song is a meditation on God making the heavens and the earth. Gnostic heretics have taught that physical creation was a bad thing, and that we should live to escape the bonds of the real world to find freedom in the spiritual realm. This Ode shows the pleasure of God and the worshipper in recounting the wonder of creation. God pronounced it good, and we respond in thanksgiving. I wanted this to be meditative, but not sleepy. I also wanted to include more words than other songs in this collection, so I chose a spoken word format that occurs twice in the song. The melodic intervals are kept small so as to be easily sung by a congregation.
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Ode 17 I have been freed Liner Notes
1. Then I was crowned by my God, and my crown was living.
2. And I was justified by my Lord, for my salvation is incorruptible.
3. I have been freed from vanities, and am not condemned.
4. My chains were cut off by His hands, I received the face and likeness of a new
person, and I walked in Him and was saved.
5. And the thought of truth led me, and I went after it and wandered not.
6. And all who saw me were amazed, and I seemed to them like a stranger.
7. And He who knew and exalted me, is the Most High in all His perfection.
8. And He glorified me by His kindness, and raised my understanding to the height of truth.
9. And from there He gave me the way of His steps, and I opened the doors which were closed.
10. And I shattered the bars of iron, for my own shackles had grown hot and melted before me.
11. And nothing appeared closed to me, because I was the opening of everything.
12. And I went towards all my bound ones in order to loose them; that I might not
leave anyone bound or binding.
13. And I gave my knowledge generously, and my resurrection through my love.
14. And I sowed my fruits in hearts, and transformed them through myself.
15. Then they received my blessing and lived, and they were gathered to me and were saved;
16. Because they became my members, and I was their Head.
17. Glory to You, our Head, O Lord Messiah.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectI have been freed, I am not condemned (Bless the Lord O my Soul)
I have been freed; I am not condemned (His mercy endures forever)I went after truth and wandered not.
And the thought of truth led me and I wandered not.
And all who saw me were amazed, and I seemed to them a stranger.
And I was justified by my Lord, with Salvation that is pure forever.I have been freed, I am not condemned (Bless the Lord O my Soul)
I have been freed; I am not condemned (His mercy endures forever)
He who knew me and raised me up, is Messiah in all of His perfection.
He gave me a crown that was living and showed me the way of His steps,
And I was justified by my Lord, with Salvation that is pure forever.I have been freed, I am not condemned (Bless the Lord O my Soul)
I have been freed, I am not condemned (His mercy endures forever)
My chains were cut off by His hands,
Glory to You Glory to You
I received the newness of life
Glory to You Glory to You
And He shattered the bars of iron,
Glory to You Glory to You
for my shackles had melted away
Glory to You Glory to YouGlory to You, Messiah. Glory to You Our God
Glory to You, Messiah. Glory to You Our GodI have been freed, I am not condemned (Bless the Lord O my Soul)
I have been freed, I am not condemned (His mercy endures forever)		 I wrote the music for this when I was being tutored by the great Dr. Hughes Oliphant Old, in New Jersey. I intended it to be in the style of an old spiritual, similar to the chain gang song from the O brother where are thou soundtrack. The ideas evolved into more of a world beat, Peter Gabriel style, which I felt better carried the story of being led to salvation. The message of no condemnation in Christ is one I needed to meditate on, and this song was good for me.
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Ode 18 You are my God Liner Notes
1. My heart was lifted up and enriched in the love of the Most High, so that I might
praise Him with my name.
2. My members were strengthened, that they may not fall from His power.
3. Infirmities fled from my body, and it stood firm for the Lord by His will; because
His kingdom is firm.
4. O Lord, for the sake of those who are in need, do not dismiss Your Word from me.
5. Nor, for the sake of their works, withhold Your perfection from me.
6. Let not light be conquered by darkness, nor let truth flee from falsehood.
7. Let Your right hand set our salvation to victory, and let it receive from every
region, and preserve it on the side of everyone who is besieged by misfortunes.
8. You are my God, falsehood and death are not in Your mouth; only perfection is Your will.
9. And vanity You know not, because neither does it know You.
10. And You know not error; because neither does it know You.
11. And ignorance appeared like dust, and like the foam of the sea.
12. And vain people thought that it was great, and they became like its type and were impoverished.
13. But those who knew understood and contemplated, and were not polluted by their thoughts;
14. Because they were in the mind of the Most High, and mocked those who were walking in error.
15. Then they spoke the truth, from the breath which the Most High breathed into them.
16. Praise and great honor to His name.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectO Lord, my God
for the sake of those who are in need,
do not remove
Your Word from me.
You are my God
You are my God
Only perfection is Your will
O Lord, O Lord, my God
O Lord, my God		 This short meditation is my favorite of all. For the sake of those in need, please do not remove Your Spirit from me. It sounds like David praying, and I wanted the setting for these words to be prayerful, somber, and reverent.’Oh Lord my God’, it repeats with hope amidst the knowledge that God’s will is righteous and good. If it was sung a cappella it would be especially haunting.
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Ode 19 N/A
1. A cup of milk was offered to me, and I drank it in the sweetness of the Lord’s kindness.
2. The Son is the cup, and the Father is He who was milked; and the Holy Spirit is
She who milked Him;
3. Because His breasts were full, and it was undesirable that His milk should be ineffectually released.
4. The Holy Spirit opened Her bosom, and mixed the milk of the two breasts of the Father.
5. Then She gave the mixture to the generation without their knowing, and those who
have received it are in the perfection of the right hand.
6. The womb of the Virgin took it, and she received conception and gave birth.
7. So the Virgin became a mother with great mercies.
8. And she labored and bore the Son but without pain, because it did not occur without purpose.
9. And she did not require a midwife, because He caused her to give life.
10. She brought forth like a strong man with desire, and she bore according to the
manifestation, and she acquired according to the Great Power.
11. And she loved with redemption, and guarded with kindness, and declared with grandeur.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 20 Put on the Grace Liner Notes
1. I am a priest of the Lord, and Him I serve as a priest;
2. And to Him I offer the offering of His thought.
3. For His thought is not like the world, nor like the flesh, nor like them who worship
according to the flesh.
4. The offering of the Lord is righteousness, and purity of heart and lips.
5. Offer your inward being faultlessly; and let not your compassion oppress
compassion; and let not yourself oppress a self.
6. You should not purchase a stranger because he is like yourself, nor seek to deceive
your neighbor, nor deprive him of the covering for his nakedness.
7. But put on the grace of the Lord generously, and come to His Paradise, and make
for yourself a garland from His tree.
8. Then put it on your head and be joyful, and recline upon His rest.
9. For His glory will go before you; and you shall receive of His kindness and of His
grace; and you shall be anointed in truth with the praise of His holiness.
10. Praise and honor to His name. Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectThe offering of the Lord is righteousness,
put on the grace of the Lord
The gift of the Lord is purity of heart,
put on the grace of the Lord
For His thought is not like the world,
put on the grace of the Lord
nor like them who worship according to the flesh,
put on the grace of the LordPut on the grace,
Put on the grace,
Put on the grace of the Lord
Receive of His kindness,
Receive of His joy,
Put on the grace of the Lord
Offer yourself without holding back,
Put on the grace of the Lord
Don’t deceive your neighbor,
or oppress anyone,
Put on the grace of the Lord
make yourself a garland from His tree.
Put on the grace of the Lord
Then put it on your head and be joyful in His rest,
Put on the grace of the LordTo Him who loves us and
freed us from our sins by His blood
To Him who made us
a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father,
to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen		 Put on the grace and receive is gift of righteousness. This song is a lesson on the believer’s lofty position in Christ. Going to Christ with nothing but the stain of sin, and coming away with robes of righteousness, all paid for by the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross.The song is lively, because the text demands it. Bryan Duncan is an old friend who was gracious to come and share his vocal gifts. Joyful and exhortative lyrics seemed to best go with a gospel style musical setting.
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Ode 21 I was lifted up into the Light Liner Notes
1. I lifted up my arms on high on account of the compassion of the Lord.
2. Because He cast off my bonds from me, and my Helper lifted me up according to
His compassion and His salvation.
3. And I put off darkness, and put on light.
4. And even I myself acquired members. In them there was no sickness or affliction
or suffering.
5. And abundantly helpful to me was the thought of the Lord, and His everlasting
fellowship.
6. And I was lifted up in the light, and I passed before Him.
7. And I was constantly near Him, while praising and confessing Him.
8. He caused my heart to overflow, and it was found in my mouth; and it sprang forth
unto my lips.
9. Then upon my face increased the exultation of the Lord and His praise. Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectI was lifted up into the light,
(The God of my salvation)
I put off darkness, and put on light.
.(my light and my salvation.)
He released me from my chains,
(the God of my salvation).
And he showed me great compassion,
(my help and my salvation).
And I was near Him, and lost myself in praise
Glory to God in the highest Amen.I passed before the Lord Most High,
the God of my salvation
I served before Him in the light,
my light and my salvation
And healing went before Him,
the God of my salvation
and we fellow-shipped in purity,
my help and my salvation
And I was near Him, and lost myself in praise
Glory to God in the highest Amen.Chorus:
Glory to God, (Alleluia,)
In the highest. (Alleluia)
To the Light of the World and our salvation,
Glory to God, (Alleluia,)
In the highest. (Alleluia)
To the Light of the World and our salvation, Amen.		 This is a song of ecstatic spiritual experience, when one realizes more fully the divine miracle of salvation in Christ. I countered each narrative line with the focus of the song, namely “the God of my salvation”. I wanted all these songs to center around Christ as the Messiah, and also there was a need for more songs in the call and response format. These two needs caused me to head in the direction I did. I also intended this to be sung in church, and led by piano. I felt that the song could be sung with only a piano and still be really effective. “Glory to God in the highest” is not in the Ode, but reflects the sentiment expressed by the heavenly hosts in Luke, and I’m certain will be our expression in that great Day of the Lord.
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Ode 22 N/A
1. He who caused me to descend from on high, and to ascend from the regions below;
2. And He who gathers what is in the Middle, and throws them to me;
3. He who scattered my enemies, and my adversaries;
4. He who gave me authority over bonds, so that I might unbind them;
5. He who overthrew by my hands the dragon with seven heads, and set me at his
roots that I might destroy his seed;
6. You were there and helped me, and in every place Your name surrounded me.
7. Your right hand destroyed his evil venom, and Your hand leveled the Way for
those who believe in You.
8. And It chose them from the graves, and separated them from the dead ones.
9. It took dead bones and covered them with flesh.
10. But they were motionless, so It gave them energy for life.
11. Incorruptible was Your way and Your face; You have brought Your world to
corruption, that everything might be resolved and renewed.
12. And the foundation of everything is Your rock. And upon it You have built Your
kingdom, and it became the dwelling-place of the holy ones.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 23 Keep on Walking Liner Notes
1. Joy is for the holy ones. And who shall put it on but they alone?
2. Grace is for the elect ones. And who shall receive it but they who trusted in it from
the beginning?
3. Love is for the elect ones. And who shall put it on but they who possessed it from
the beginning?
4. Walk in the knowledge of the Lord, and you will know the grace of the Lord
generously; both for His exultation and for the perfection of His knowledge.
5. And His thought was like a letter, and His will descended from on high.
6. And it was sent like an arrow which from a bow has been forcibly shot.
7. And many hands rushed to the letter, in order to catch it, then take and read it.
8. But it escaped from their fingers; and they were afraid of it and of the seal which
was upon it.
9. Because they were not allowed to loosen its seal; for the power which was over the
seal was greater than they.
10. But those who saw the letter went after it; that they might learn where it would
land, and who should read it, and who should hear it.
11. But a wheel received it, and it came over it.
12. And a sign was with it, of the kingdom and of providence.
13. And everything which was disturbing the wheel, it mowed and cut down.
14. And it restrained a multitude of adversaries; and bridged rivers.
15. And it crossed over and uprooted many forests, and made an open way.
16. The head went down to the feet, because unto the feet ran the wheel, and whatever
had come upon it.
17. The letter was one of command, and hence all regions were gathered together.
18. And there was seen at its head, the head which was revealed, even the Son of Truth
from the Most High Father.
19. And He inherited and possessed everything, and then the scheming of the many ceased.
20. Then all the seducers became headstrong and fled, and the persecutors became
extinct and were blotted out.
21. And the letter became a large volume, which was entirely written by the finger of God.
22. And the name of the Father was upon it; and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, to
rule forever and ever.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectJoy, Grace and Love
as we Walk in the knowledge of the Lord
Joy, Grace and Love
as we Walk in the knowledge of the LordKeep on walkin in the Joy
Keep on walkin in the Grace
Keep on walkin in the Love
and you shall receive
Keep on walkin in the Joy
Keep on walkin in the Grace
Keep on walkin in the Love
and you shall put these on.
Put on Joy, put on Grace, put on Love		 Joy, grace and love are the benefits of the children of God. I thought it wise to have children sing this song. Just the sound of children singing can be so happy. I thought a reggae influence would be nice vehicle for this simple lesson. Also, happy encouragement is a better motivator than guilt.
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Ode 24 N/A
1. The dove fluttered over the head of our Lord Messiah, because He was her head.
2. And she sang over Him, and her voice was heard.
3. Then the inhabitants were afraid, and the foreigners were disturbed.
4. The bird began to fly, and every creeping thing died in its hole.
5. And the chasms were opened and closed; and they were seeking the Lord as those
who are about to give birth.
6. But He was not given to them for nourishment, because He did not belong to them.
7. But the chasms were submerged in the seal of the Lord, and they perished in the
thought with which they had remained from the beginning.
8. For they were in labor from the beginning, and the end of their travail was life.
9. And all of them who were lacking perished, because they were not able to express
the word so that they might remain.
10. And the Lord destroyed the devices, of all those who had not the truth with them.
11. For they were lacking in wisdom, they who exalted themselves in their mind.
12. So they were rejected, because the truth was not with them.
13. For the Lord revealed His way, and spread widely His grace.
14. And those who understood it knew His holiness.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 25 His rest is forever Liner Notes
1. I was rescued from my chains, and I fled unto You, O my God.
2. Because You are the right hand of salvation, and my Helper.
3. You have restrained those who rise up against me, and no more were they seen.
4. Because Your face was with me, which saved me by Your grace.
5. But I was despised and rejected in the eyes of many, and I was in their eyes like lead.
6. And I acquired strength from You, and help.
7. A lamp You set for me both on my right and on my left, so that there might not be
in me anything that is not light.
8. And I was covered with the covering of Your Spirit, and I removed from me my
garments of skin.
9. Because Your right hand exalted me, and caused sickness to pass from me.
10. And I became mighty in Your truth, and holy in Your righteousness.
11. And all my adversaries were afraid of me, and I became the Lord’s by the name of the Lord.
12. And I was justified by His kindness, and His rest is forever and ever. Hallelujah.		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectI fled unto you O my God
I was rescued from my chains
Because you are the right hand of salvation
And you saved me by your grace
Those who rise up against me
No more were they seen
I was despised and rejected in their eyes
But your face was with meHis rest is forever and ever
For ever hallelujah hallelujahI became mighty in your truth
And holy in your righteousness
I became Yours by the name of the Lord
by Your kindness justifiedHis rest is forever and ever
For ever hallelujah
His rest is forever and ever
For ever hallelujah, hallelujah ,hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah		 I love these wonderful words of comfort. Rest in Christ forever from all that would darken the skies, I wrote this for the use at memorial services, and to help us all to remember that those believers who have passed away go to eternal rest in the everlasting arms of our Savior. When I was writing music to these words, I couldn’t stop crying.This song is a balm for my soul.
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Ode 26 From the East unto the West Liner Notes
1. I poured out praise to the Lord, because I am His own.
2. And I will recite His holy ode, because my heart is with Him.
3. For His harp is in my hand, and the odes of His rest shall not be silent.
4. I will call unto Him with all my heart, I will praise and exalt Him with all my members.
5. For from the East and unto the West is His praise;
6. Also from the South and unto the North is His thanksgiving.
7. Even from the crest of the summits and unto their extremity is His perfection.
8. Who can write the odes of the Lord, or who can read them?
9. Or who can train himself for life, so that he himself may be saved?
10. Or who can press upon the Most High, so that He would recite from His mouth?
11. Who can interpret the wonders of the Lord? Though he who interprets will be
destroyed, yet that which was interpreted will remain.
12. For it suffices to perceive and be satisfied, for the odist stand in serenity;
13. Like a river which has an increasingly gushing spring, and flows to the relief of
them that seek it.
Hallelujah.		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectI poured out all praise to the Lord
Because I am his own
I will sing His holy song
For my heart is with Him aloneAll I need is to trust and to rest
To be satisfied in Him
Like the water from a stream
Bringing grace to the ones who seek it(Chorus)
From the East unto the West
From the South unto the North
From the summits and the crests
Our thanksgiving is poured forthBlessing and honor and glory to You Blessing and honor and glory to You
Father Son and Holy Spirit Father Son and Holy Spirit
How can I express the wonders of God
When perfection is in Him
I can only be amazed
And thank Him with all of my heart
All I need is to trust and to rest
To be satisfied in Him
Like the water from a stream
Bringing grace to the ones who seek itBlessing and honor and glory to You Blessing and honor and glory to You
Father Son and Holy Spirit Father Son and Holy Spirit
One God forever and ever		 As far as the East is from the West, God’s praises are echoed throughout His creation.These words filled me with such joy, and I wanted a gospel sound of celebration combined with meditation on the verses to contemplate the role of the one who praises God and makes music to His glory. I wanted a breakdown to let a cantor chant a line of praise and begin the call and response which would build to a big finish of One God forever and ever. If I could only remember daily that all creation is praising God in spite of the failings of man, I would be living with a more right mind.
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Ode 27 N/A
1. I extended my hands and hallowed my Lord,
2. For the expansion of my hands is His sign.
3. And my extension is the upright cross.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 28 N/A
1. As the wings of doves over their nestlings, and the mouths of their nestlings
towards their mouths, so also are the wings of the Spirit over my heart.
2. My heart continually refreshes itself and leaps for joy, like the babe who leaps for
joy in his mother’s womb.
3. I trusted, consequently I was at rest; because trustful is He in whom I trusted.
4. He has greatly blessed me, and my head is with Him.
5. And the dagger shall not divide me from Him, nor the sword;
6. Because I am ready before destruction comes, and have been set on His immortal side.
7. And immortal life embraced me, and kissed me.
8. And from that life is the Spirit which is within me. And it cannot die because it is life.
9. Those who saw me were amazed, because I was persecuted.
10. And they thought that I had been swallowed up, because I seemed to them as one
of the lost.
11. But my injustice became my salvation.
12. And I became their abomination, because there was no jealousy in me.
13. Because I continually did good to every man I was hated.
14. And they surrounded me like mad dogs, those who in stupidity attack their masters.
15. Because their thought is depraved, and their mind is perverted.
16. But I was carrying water in my right hand, and their bitterness I endured by my sweetness.
17. And I did not perish, because I was not their brother, nor was my birth like theirs.
18. And they sought my death but did not find it possible, because I was older than
their memory; and in vain did they cast lots against me.
19. And those who were after me sought in vain to destroy the memorial of Him who
was before them.
20. Because the thought of the Most High cannot be prepossessed; and His heart is
superior to all wisdom.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 29 N/A
1. The Lord is my hope, I shall not be ashamed of Him.
2. For according to His praise He made me, and according to His grace even so He
gave to me.
3. And according to His mercies He exalted me, and according to His great honor He lifted me up.
4. And he caused me to ascend from the depths of Sheol, and from the mouth of death
He drew me.
5. And I humbled my enemies, and He justified me by His grace.
6. For I believed in the Lord’s Messiah, and considered that He is the Lord.
7. And He revealed to me His sign, and He led me by His light.
8. And He gave me the scepter of His power, that I might subdue the devices of the
people, and humble the power of the mighty.
9. To make war by His Word, and to take victory by His power.
10. And the Lord overthrew my enemy by His Word, and he became like the dust
which a breeze carries off.
11. And I gave praise to the Most High, because He has magnified His servant and the
son of His maidservant.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 30 Fill yourselves with Living Water Liner Notes

©Duhan/Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectFill yourselves with living water
For he has opened up his word
Come and take a drink if you are thirsty
Rest beside the fountain of the LordHallelujah for the living water
Infinite, invisible
Pouring forth, it has been opened for you
And the heart of the Lord is its sourceChorus:
For this water is sweeter than honey
The sweetest things cannot compare
Blessed are those who drink from it
They find rest for their souls
for it is pure		 This is a great altar call for those who are thirsty. I wrote the form as verse ­ chorus.It is simple but profound. I wanted the tempo and instrumentation to slow and simple, Especially easy to play, like a John Lennon song. I had the choir sing along on the chorus, but in church it would be the congregation.
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Ode 31 N/A
1. Chasms vanished before the Lord, and darkness dissipated before His appearance.
2. Error erred and perished on account of Him; and contempt received no path, for it
was submerged by the truth of the Lord.
3. He opened His mouth and spoke grace and joy; and recited a new chant to His name.
4. Then He lifted his voice towards the Most High, and offered to Him those that had
become sons through Him.
5. And His face was justified, because thus His Holy Father had given to Him.
6. Come forth, you who have been afflicted, and receive joy.
7. And possess yourselves through grace, and take unto you immortal life.
8. And they condemned me when I stood up, me who had not been condemned.
9. Then they divided my spoil, though nothing was owed them.
10. But I endured and held my peace and was silent, that I might not be disturbed by them.
11. But I stood undisturbed like a solid rock, which is continuously pounded by
columns of waves and endures.
12. And I bore their bitterness because of humility; that I might redeem my nation and instruct it.
13. And that I might not nullify the promises to the patriarchs, to whom I was promised for the salvation of their
offspring.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 32 N/A
1. To the blessed ones the joy is from their heart, and light from Him who dwells in them;
2. And the Word of truth who is self-originate,
3. Because He has been strengthened by the Holy Power of the Most High; and He is
unshaken forever and ever.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 33 N/A
1. But again Grace was swift and dismissed the Corruptor, and descended upon him to renounce him.
2. And he caused utter destruction before him, and corrupted all his work.
3. And he stood on the peak of a summit and cried aloud from one end of the earth to the other.
4. Then he drew to him all those who obeyed him, for he did not appear as the Evil One.
5. However, the perfect Virgin stood, who was preaching and summoning and saying:
6. O you sons of men, return, and you their daughters, come.
7. And leave the ways of that Corruptor, and approach me.
8. And I will enter into you, and bring you forth from destruction, and make you wise
in the ways of truth.
9. Be not corrupted nor perish.
10. Obey me and be saved, for I am proclaiming unto you the grace of God.
11. And through me you will be saved and become blessed. I am your judge;
12. And they who have put me on shall not be falsely accused, but they shall possess
incorruption in the new world.
13. My elect ones have walked with me, and my ways I will make known to them who
seek me; and I will promise them my name.Hallelujah.
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Ode 34 N/A
1. There is no hard way where there is a simple heart, nor barrier for upright thoughts,
2. Nor whirlwind in the depth of the enlightened thought.
3. Where one is surrounded on every side by pleasing country, there is nothing
divided in him.
4. The likeness of that which is below is that which is above.
5. For everything is from above, and from below there is nothing, but it is believed to
be by those in whom there is no understanding.
6. Grace has been revealed for your salvation. Believe and live and be saved. Hallelujah.
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Ode 35 A Cloud of Peace
1. The gentle showers of the Lord overshadowed me with serenity, and they caused a
cloud of peace to rise over my head;
2. That it might guard me at all times. And it became salvation to me.
3. Everyone was disturbed and afraid, and there came from them smoke and judgment.
4. But I was tranquil in the Lord’s legion; more than shade was He to me, and more
than foundation.
5. And I was carried like a child by its mother; and He gave me milk, the dew of the
Lord.
6. And I was enriched by His favor, and rested in His perfection.
7. And I spread out my hands in the ascent of myself, and I directed myself towards
the Most High, and I was redeemed towards Him.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectA cloud of peace has risen
Over my head
A cloud of peace has risen
over my head
My salvation
My salvation
A cloud of peace has risen
over my headA cloud of peace has risen
Above my headMy salvation
My salvation
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Ode 36 I rested on the Spirit of the Lord Liner Notes
1. I rested on the Spirit of the Lord, and She lifted me up to heaven;
2. And caused me to stand on my feet in the Lord’s high place, before His perfection
and His glory, where I continued glorifying Him by the composition of His Odes.
3. The Spirit brought me forth before the Lord’s face, and because I was the Son of
Man, I was named the Light, the Son of God;
4. Because I was the most glorified among the glorious ones, and the greatest among
the great ones.
5. For according to the greatness of the Most High, so She made me; and according to
His newness He renewed me.
6. And He anointed me with His perfection; and I became one of those who are near Him.
7. And my mouth was opened like a cloud of dew, and my heart gushed forth like a
gusher of righteousness.
8. And my approach was in peace, and I was established in the Spirit of Providence.
Hallelujah.		 ©Duhan/Schreiner/The Odes ProjectI rested on the Spirit of the Lord
And was lifted up to heaven
And was caused to stand on my feet
In the high place of His kingdom
According to His goodness
He forgave my sin
Anointed me with perfection
As one of those near to Him.Son of Man, Son of God
He was named , named the Light
Glorified among the glorious
And greatest among the great
Son of Man Son of God
He was named, named the Light
Glorified among the glorious
And greatest among the great
Hallelujah , hallelujahMy mouth was like a cloud of dew
My heart, a stream of righteousness.
My approach was in peace
In the Spirit of Providence
According to His goodness
He forgave my sin
Anointed me with perfection
As one of those near to Him.Son of Man, Son of God
He was named the Light
Glorified among the glorious
And greatest among the great
Son of Man, Son of God
He was named , named the Light
Glorified among the glorious
And greatest among the great
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah		 A meditation on the wonder of the incarnation. Mysterious and reverent were the goals for the music. I used a chant -like melody with very little movement in it. I was struck by the combination of theology, awe and worship. This writing is filled with poetic wonder, and I wanted to express that. There is no call and response; this is a soloistic meditation for contemplation and devotion times.The text almost reads like it is from the first chapter of the gospel of John. This song was the favorite of Hughes Oliphant Old, and I am grateful to be able to put music to masterpieces like this.
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Ode 37 I Stretched Out My Hands Liner Notes
1. I stretched out my hands towards the Lord, and towards the Most High I raised my voice.
2. And I spoke with the lips of my heart, and He heard me when my voice reached Him.
3. His Word came towards me, in order to give me the fruits of my labors;
4. And gave me rest by the grace of the Lord.
Hallelujah		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectI stretched out my hands to my Lord:
and to my God I raised my voice:
And I prayed with the voice of my heart;
and He heard my cry He heard my cry He heard my cry
Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner
Lord have mercy on me for I am a sinner
I stretched out my hands to my Lord:
and to my God I raised my voice:
And I prayed with the voice of my heart;
and He heard my cry He heard my cry He heard my cry
Allelu, Alleluia, Allelu, Alleluia Allelu, Alleluia AlleluiaHis Word came to me with His answer; with His answer His Word came to me
He gave rest for the weary by the grace of the Lord.
He gave rest for the weary by the grace of the Lord
Hallelujah		 Alone in prayer, we stretch out our hands and reach to God, and sometimes we feel in our senses that He hears our cry and is right in our midst, Those wonderful times when we are aware of the Holy Spirit ministering to us are wondrous beyond words. The writer of this Ode expressed these thoughts so poetically and I was privileged to have Fernando Ortega as the singer. His honesty and his gifts are remarkable as well as understated. I loved writing this, but hearing Fernando sing it was an extraordinary gift.
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Ode 38 N/A
1. I went up into the light of Truth as into a chariot, and the Truth led me and caused me to come.
2. And caused me to pass over chasms and gulfs, and saved me from cliffs and valleys.
3. And became for me a haven of salvation, and set me on the place of immortal life.
4. And He went with me and caused me to rest and did not allow me to err; because
He was and is the Truth.
5. And there was no danger for me because I constantly walked with Him; and I did
not err in anything because I obeyed Him.
6. For Error fled from Him, and never met Him.
7. But Truth was proceeding on the upright way, and whatever I did not understand He exhibited to me:
8. All the poisons of error, and pains of death which are considered sweetness.
9. And the corrupting of the Corruptor, I saw when the bride who was corrupting was
adorned, and the bridegroom who corrupts and is corrupted.
10. And I asked the Truth, Who are these? And He said to me: This is the Deceiver and the Error.
11. And they imitate the Beloved and His Bride, and they cause the world to err and corrupt it.
12. And they invite many to the wedding feast, and allow them to drink the wine of their intoxication;
13. So they cause them to vomit up their wisdom and their knowledge, and prepare for them mindlessness.
14. Then they abandon them; and so they stumble about like mad and corrupted men.
15. Since there is no understanding in them, neither do they seek it.
16. But I have been made wise so as not to fall into the hands of the Deceivers, and I
myself rejoiced because the Truth had gone with me.
17. For I was established and lived and was redeemed, and my foundations were laid
on account of the Lord’s hand; because He has planted me.
18. For He set the root, and watered it and endowed it and blessed it, and its fruits will
be forever.
19. It penetrated deeply and sprang up and spread out, and it was full and was enlarged.
20. And the Lord alone was glorified, in His planting and in His cultivation;
21. In His care and in the blessing of His lips, in the beautiful planting of His right hand;
22. And in the attainment of His planting, and in the understanding of His mind.
Hallelujah.		  
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Ode 39 N/A
1. Raging rivers are the power of the Lord; they send headlong those who despise Him.
2. And entangle their paths, and destroy their crossings.
3. And snatch their bodies, and corrupt their natures.
4. For they are more swift than lightnings, even more rapid.
5. But those who cross them in faith shall not be disturbed.
6. And those who walk on them faultlessly shall not be shaken.
7. Because the sign on them is the Lord, and the sign is the Way for those who cross
in the name of the Lord.
8. Therefore, put on the name of the Most High and know Him, and you shall cross
without danger; because rivers shall be obedient to you.
9. The Lord has bridged them by His Word, and He walked and crossed them on foot.
10. And His footsteps stand firm upon the waters, and were not destroyed; but they are
like a beam of wood that is constructed on truth.
11. On this side and on that the waves were lifted up, but the footsteps of our Lord
Messiah stand firm.
12. And they are neither blotted out, nor destroyed.
13. And the Way has been appointed for those who cross over after Him, and for those
who adhere to the path of His faith; and who adore His name.
Hallelujah.
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Ode 40 Sing Allelu Liner Notes
1. As honey drips from the honeycomb of bees, and milk flows from the woman who
loves her children, so also is my hope upon You, O my God.
2. As a fountain gushes forth its water, so my heart gushes forth the praise of the
Lord, and my lips bring forth praise to Him.
3. And my tongue becomes sweet by His anthems, and my members are anointed by
His odes.
4. My face rejoices in His exultation, and my spirit exults in His love, and my nature
shines in Him.
5. And he who is afraid shall trust in Him, and redemption shall be assured in Him.
6. And His possessions are immortal life, and those who receive it are incorruptible.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/ The Odes ProjectGrace, pouring forth like a fountain flowing,
Our hearts open wide to sing Your praise,
And our sound becomes sweet with Your Anthems ringing
Praise to the name of the LordSing Allelu, Sing Allelu,
We rejoice in your love, most High
Sing Allelu, Sing Allelu,
In Your light, You shine forever
Shine in us, O Lord, forever
We’re the light to the world, Allelu.Let us who are afraid, find refuge in Christ,
and redemption assured in His name
By day and by night, we delight in Your love
And forever your Word will remain		 This Ode I changed a bit to make it communal instead of individualistic.It is a sweet song of singing Allelu to the Lord, which is just a softer way of saying praise to the Lord. I wanted this song to have the beauty of the hymn “I will sing of my Redeemer” which is one of my favorites, when sung sweetly. I envision this Ode being sung by a soloist during the verse and the congregation joining in on the chorus.
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Ode 41 A Great Day has Shined upon us
1. Let all the Lord’s babes praise Him, and let us receive the truth of His faith.
2. And His children shall be acknowledged by Him, therefore let us sing by His love.
3. We live in the Lord by His grace, and life we receive by His Messiah.
4. For a great day has shined upon us, and wonderful is He who has given to us of His
glory.
5. Let us, therefore, all of us agree in the name of the Lord, and let us honor Him in
His goodness.
6. And let our faces shine in His light, and let our hearts meditate in His love, by
night and by day.
7. Let us exult with the exultation of the Lord.
8. All those who see me will be amazed, because I am from another race.
9. For the Father of Truth remembered me; he who possessed me from the beginning.
10. For His riches begat me, and the thought of His heart.
11. And His Word is with us in all our way, the Savior who gives life and does not
reject ourselves.
12. The Man who humbled Himself, but was exalted because of His own
righteousness.
13. The Son of the Most High appeared in the perfection of His Father.
14. And light dawned from the Word that was before time in Him.
15. The Messiah in truth is one. And He was known before the foundations of the
world, that He might give life to persons forever by the truth of His name.
16. A new chant is for the Lord from them that love Him.
Hallelujah.		 ©Schreiner/The Odes ProjectA great day has shined upon us
Glory to God in the Highest
Let our faces shine in His light
The light of the World is our God
We live in the Lord by His grace
Glory to God in the Highest
Let us sing by His love Let us sing by His light
The light of the World is our GodGlory Let His children praise Him
Glory let us receive the truth of His faith
Glory let us honor Him in goodness
Glory and we agree in His nameFor the Father of Truth has remembered us
And His Word is with us on our way
For the dawning of light is the Son of God
Giving life by the truth of His name
Giving life by the truth of His nameHis children shall be acknowledged by Him Glory to God in the Highest
The Savior gives life and does not reject us The light of the World is our God
Let us meditate on His love, by day and by night Glory to God in the Highest
For a great day has shined upon us The light of the World is our GodHallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!Glory!Glory!Glory!Glory!Glory!Glory!
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Ode 42 N/A
1. I extended my hands and approached my Lord, for the expansion of my hands is His sign.
2. And my extension is the upright cross, that was lifted up on the way of the Righteous One.
3. And I became useless to those who knew me not, because I shall hide myself from
those who possessed me not.
4. And I will be with those who love me.
5. All my persecutors have died, and they sought me, they who declared against me,
because I am living.
6. Then I arose and am with them, and will speak by their mouths.
7. For they have rejected those who persecute them; and I threw over them the yoke
of my love.
8. Like the arm of the bridegroom over the bride, so is my yoke over those who know me.
9. And as the bridal chamber is spread out by the bridal pair’s home, so is my love by
those who believe in me.
10. I was not rejected although I was considered to be so, and I did not perish although
they thought it of me.
11. Sheol saw me and was shattered, and Death ejected me and many with me.
12. I have been vinegar and bitterness to it, and I went down with it as far as its depth.
13. Then the feet and the head it released, because it was not able to endure my face.
14. And I made a congregation of living among his dead; and I spoke with them by
living lips; in order that my word may not be unprofitable.
15. And those who had died ran towards me; and they cried out and said, Son of God,
have pity on us.
16. And deal with us according to Your kindness, and bring us out from the bonds of darkness.
17. And open for us the door by which we may come out to You; for we perceive that
our death does not touch You.
18. May we also be saved with You, because You are our Savior.
19. Then I heard their voice, and placed their faith in my heart.
20. And I placed my name upon their head, because they are free and they are mine.
Hallelujah.