To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said

Author: F. E. Belden
Tune: [To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said]
Published in 3 hymnals

Representative Text

1 To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said;
To hearken when he commandeth, than an off'ring made.

Chorus:
Turn to the Lord, and he will be gracious,
Walk in the way of his commandments.
To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said;
To hearken when he commandeth, than an off'ring made.

2 All ye who say, "There is naught to do since Christ doth save,"
Remember what he commands you in the Book he gave. [Chorus]

3 Remember only the doers of the word are blest;
'Tis well to hear and believe it, but to do is best. [Chorus]

Source: The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book: for use in divine worship #1308

Author: F. E. Belden

Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evang­el­ist Bil­ly Sun­day. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: To obey is better than sacrifice, the Lord hath said
Title: To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice
Author: F. E. Belden
Language: English
Refrain First Line: Turn to the Lord, and he will be gracious
Copyright: Public Domain

Instances

Instances (1 - 3 of 3)

Hymns for Use in Divine Worship ... Seventh-Day Adventists #d1178

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Joyful Greeting #144

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The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book #1308

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