… O Jehovah, I have heard the report of thee, and am afraid: O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years … (Habakkuk 3:2)
I wonder if William Paton MacKay ever heard the phrase ‘Physician, heal thyself.’ It would come as no surprise if this Scottish doctor who turned to ministry was in fact thinking of this phrase when he wrote the hymn “We Praise Thee, O God” in 1863. It’s said that MacKay’s song is based upon the Habakkuk 3:2 section of the Bible, in which the prophet asks for God’s regenerating power. And, this song is often called by a different title -- ‘Revive Us Again’ -- that makes one wonder if MacKay was really thinking of healing, rather than praise, at least when he composed the words to the song’s final verse. Indeed, the story of MacKay’s conversion to Christ gives us insight into his life, and may say something about what motivated him in his song-writing life too. As a doctor in the 1800’s, MacKay no doubt must have encountered more than a few patients whom he could not help, eroding his confidence in physical healing. Ironically, MacKay’s experience with a dying patient, and a gift-book that he sold, must have spoken volumes to him as he considered what really revives the body. In fact, it changed his career and his destiny in this life.
According to his MacKay’s testimony, his mother had given him a Bible, her last gift to him before she died. Unimpressed, MacKay evidently sold it when he was struggling financially as a young man. Years later, MacKay futilely ministered--as a physician--to a man whose last thoughts were of a book that had been his faithful companion. MacKay and the man’s landlady were given the task of settling the dead man’s affairs. To his shock, Doctor MacKay discovered that the man’s favorite book was in fact the Bible MacKay’s mother had given him -- which he sold for a pittance -- years before. His name was still in it, written there by his mother… MacKay then relates that the incident “…was the cause of my conversion.”
Have you been revived like this? I admit I haven’t experienced something that potent. Even today, 21st Century medicine cannot deliver, cannot revive as we, or Doctor MacKay in his time, might have wished. But, maybe the doctor had learned by the time he became Minister MacKay that in the spirit-world, things work just a little differently than our conventional minds might allow. MacKay’s song begins with three verses (in many songbooks, four) that praise God. Fine, that’s not really too peculiar, is it? But then, MacKay culminates this hymn by asking God for revival. Doesn’t it seem a bit backward to laud Him and then ask for His help? I’d be more apt to cry for help, and then extol Him after the help arrives. But perhaps the doctor had stumbled upon a different formula for life in relationship to the Holy One. I muddle through my earthly existence the same as anybody else…grieving the injustices in physical pain, those times that even ‘good people’ suffer grave illnesses and untimely death. But, as a believer, I also know that MacKay has it right. My praise should be a herald, a shout of confident assurance that tranquilizes other emotions. The end is known, and everything else before it is mere preamble before the real show. Praise God, and then expect His reviving power!
Information on William P. MacKay and his song may be found in the following resources:
“The Complete Book of Hymns: Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2006
“Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990.
William P. MacKay’s testimony of his conversion is at the following website:
http://maranatha777.wordpress.com/2008/06/28/william-paton-mackays-testimony/
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