Lord, I Have Shut the Door

Yesterday, I went to Dan Kreider’s graduate composition recital which was performed in partial fulfillment of his second principal for a Master degree in Church Music. I particularly enjoyed his cello suite entitled “Meditations on the Psalms.” The last piece of the recital was a choral piece entitled “Lord, I Have Shut the Door” – a very nice tune put to a very nice hymn text that I had never heard before. I thought I would post the lyrics here for your reading/meditating pleasure.

Lord, I have shut the door, Speak now the word
Which in the din and throng Could not be heard;
Hushed now my inner heart, Whisper Thy will,
While I have come apart, While all is still.

Lord, I have shut the door, Here do I bow;
Speak, for my soul attent Turns to Thee now.
Rebuke Thou what is vain, Counsel my soul,
Thy holy will reveal, My will control.

In this blest quietness Clamorings cease;
Here in Thy presence dwells Infinite peace;
Yonder, the strife and cry, Yonder, the sin:
Lord, I have shut the door, Thou art within!

Lord, I have shut the door, Strengthen my heart;
Yonder awaits the task— I share a part.
Only thro’ grace bestowed May I be true;
Here, while alone with Thee, My strength renew.