This episode’s song that we will delve into is “Blessed and Highly Favoured by the Clark sisters, and today’s featured hymn is “Crown Him with many crowns,” which we will look at later in our hymn segment.

I will also share a scripture specifically on praise and worship in each episode. So today’s scripture is Psalm 63:3-4 KJV:

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life,
my lips shall praise thee.
Thus will I bless thee while I live:
I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Let’s dive into today’s episode.

The song “Blessed and highly favoured” was written by the highly esteemed Karen Clark Sheard and was produced by Donald Lawrence. Karen is one of the Clark sisters, and she is also currently the first lady of the Church of God in Christ, being married, of course, to Bishop J. Drew Sheard. Now the Clark Sisters are Gospel music royalty; their careers span several decades and they have won numerous prestigious awards, including Grammy and Dove awards.

“Blessed & Highly Favoured” won multiple Grammy Awards. Specifically, it won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance and Karen Clark Sheard, as the songwriter, also won the Grammy for Best Gospel Song. The song was featured on the album “Live – One Last Time,” which also won a Grammy for Best Traditional Gospel Album.

The song serves as a powerful testament to overcoming adversity and recognising God’s blessings amid hardship. The lyrics describe enduring difficult trials and tribulations while ultimately finding strength and protection in God’s presence. The singers emphasise that, despite challenging circumstances, they acknowledge they are blessed and highly favoured by God. The lyrics highlight the belief that God hears our cries and rescues us from difficult situations.

The song’s impact has extended well beyond its initial release, becoming a staple in many gospel music playlists and church services. The phrase “blessed and highly favoured” has particularly resonated with listeners, inspiring them to acknowledge their blessings and express gratitude to God. The enduring popularity of the song reflects its powerful message of faith, resilience, and the unwavering love of God.

Let’s now look at the lyrics. Here is a link to the full lyrics.

Lyrics:
He brought me through hard trials
He brought me through tribulations

Several Bible verses offer comfort and assurance that God will see believers through trials and hardships. Isaiah 43:2 promises that God will be with us when we go through difficult times and that the trials will not overwhelm us. Additionally, Psalm 34:17 states that the Lord hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them from all their troubles.

Isaiah 43:2:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” This verse emphasises God’s protective presence during difficult circumstances.

Psalm 34:17:
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” This verse assures believers that God is attentive to their cries and will rescue them.

Lyrics:
“Had it not been for the Lord who was on my side”

Several Bible verses express the idea that God is on the side of believers, offering support, protection, and encouragement. Some key verses include:

Psalm 118:6 – “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”, and

Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Lyric:
He heard my cry and rescued me

Psalm 34:6 (NIV) says, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” This verse captures the essence of God hearing a cry for help and providing deliverance.

Another verse, Psalm 18:6, also speaks to this idea, stating, “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV):
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” These verses express love and gratitude for God’s answered prayers.

Lyrics:
“Just know that we’re blessed and highly favoured”

While the phrase “blessed and highly favoured” is not explicitly stated in Bible verses, many passages in the Bible speak about God’s blessings, favour, and grace upon individuals and his people.

Here are some related verses that emphasise God’s favour and blessings:

Psalm 5:12:
“Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.”

Psalm 84:11:
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

Ephesians 1:3:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

Genesis 39:2-4:
“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered… Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant.”

Lyrics:
“It’s amazing how He kept me”

Psalm 121, the Amplified version speaks about God as a keeper, protector, and guide.
It speaks of God’s constant watchfulness and protection over our lives, both now and in the future.

Psalm 121
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield].
The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Lyrics:
“What the devil meant for evil
God turned it around
Turned it around just for my good”

The phrase “what the devil meant for evil, God turned it into good” is a popular expression based on the biblical story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20.
The verse states, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives”.
This idea is often used to encourage believers that even in the midst of suffering or difficult circumstances, God can work all things together for good. This verse highlights the theme of God’s sovereignty and his ability to work through even the most malicious actions for a greater, positive outcome.

In today’s hymn segment, we are featuring “Crown Him with many crowns” by Matthew Bridges, written in 1851 & Godfrey Thring, who amended the hymn in 1871.

1 Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.

2 Crown him the Lord of life,
who triumphed o’er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife
for those he came to save;
his glories now we sing
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.

3 Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified;
no angels in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends their burning eye
at mysteries so bright.

4 Crown him the Lord of years,
the potentate of time,
creator of the rolling spheres,
ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail!
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.

Listen on Spotify to Blessed and Highly Favoured.