May 17, 2020 (Sunday)
One of my favorite hymns is “Heaven Came Down (and glory filled my soul).” One of the verses has this line: “riches eternal and blessings supernal..”
Supernal? Have you ever used this word in ordinary conversation? I’ve seen it only in hymns. It is used there because it rhymes with “eternal.”
What is the meaning of “supernal?” When we ask Merriam-Webster, we get several answers, one of which is, “heavenly, ethereal.” It was first used in the 15th century, so it’s been around a long, long time, but rarely used today in ordinary conversation.
Once we understand its meaning, we understand why that specific word was chosen in the hymn I mentioned and in other hymns as well.
Another hymn making use of the word is, “Won’t It Be Wonderful There?” which I have heard all my life but, to the best of my knowledge, have never sung it in church at a worship service. The line: “walking and talking with Christ the supernal one..”
The video below features Howard (1921-2002) and Vestal (1929-2003) Goodman , who sang many times about their Heavenly home, but now are there, at home with Jesus today. Remember when you speak of Heaven, you are speaking of your very own future.
WON’T IT BE WONDERFUL THERE?
Words: James Rowe
Music: Homer F. Morris
1930
When with the Savior we enter the glory land,
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Ended the troubles and cares of the storyland,
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus:
Won’t it be wonderful there (wonderful there)
Having no burdens to bear? (Over there?)
Joyously singing with heart-bells all ringing,
O, won’t it be wonderful there? (Wonderful there?)
Walking and talking with Christ the supernal one,
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Praising, adoring the matchless eternal One,
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus
There where the tempest will never be sweeping us
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Sure that forever the Lord will be keeping us,
Won’t it be wonderful there?
Chorus
George Jones (1931-2013) was in the hospital after an accident March 6, 1999 that almost claimed his life. While a patient, he asked Vestal Goodman to come see him. The two had never actually met face to face, but he gave his heart to the Lord while she was there! The video below was filmed right after he recovered. Notice the peace seen his face as George sings about Jesus:
O COME, ANGEL BAND
Words: Jefferson Hascall
Music: William Bradbury
J. W. Dadmun
1860
My latest sun is sinking fast,
My race is nearly run
My strongest trials now are past,
My triumph has begun
Chorus:
Oh, come angel band, come and around me, stand
Oh, bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
Oh, bear me away on your snow white wings
To my immortal home
I know I’m near the holy ranks
Of friends and kindred dear—
I hear the waves on Jordan’s banks,
The crossing must be near.
Chorus
I’ve almost reached my heav’nly home,
My spirit loudly sings;
Thy holy ones, behold, they come!
I hear the noise of wings.
Chorus
Oh, bear my longing heart to Him
Who bled and died for me
Whose blood now cleanses from all sin
And gives me victory
Chorus