These are the 6 Beautiful Songs Billy Graham Chose for His Funeral Service
The funeral took place in front of the Billy Graham Library in a massive 28,000-square-foot white tent, which was a throwback to Graham’s famous crusade in Los Angeles in 1949, which many believe solidified his status as a renowned evangelist.
Graham had been clear that he wanted his funeral service to reflect the message of the gospel which he spent his life preaching. Even his headstone will have the simple yet fitting phrase: “Preacher of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
To that end, he specifically chose six hymns that beautifully communicate the gospel message which he wanted people to sing at his funeral. ChristianityToday.com listed the six songs Graham chose:
Photo: A casket carrying the body of Rev. Billy Graham is carried to his funeral service at the Billy Graham Library on March 2, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. A spiritual counselor for every president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama and other world leaders for more than 60 years, Graham died February 21 at the age of 99.
Photo courtesy: Brian Blanco/Getty Images
1. “Until Then” (Stuart Hamblen, 1958), performed by musical artist Linda McCrary-Fisher
"My heart can sing when I pause to remember
A heartache here is but a stepping stone
Along a path that's winding always upward
This troubled world is not my final home
But until then my heart will go on singing
Until then with joy I'll carry on
Until the day my eyes behold my Saviour
Until the day God calls me home"
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/ClaudioVentrella
2. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (Edward Perronet, 1779), congregational singing led by Tom Bledsoe
"All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!"
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
3. “Above All” (Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche, 1999), performed by musical artist Michael W. Smith
"Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth
Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all"
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/udra
4. “Because He Lives” (Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1970), performed by Gaither Vocal Band
"God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living, just because He lives"
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
5. “To God Be the Glory” (Fanny Crosby/William Howard Doane, 1875), congregational singing led by Tom Bledsoe
"To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done."
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Ingram Publishing
6. Amazing Grace, bagpipe escort led by Pipe Major William Boetticher
"Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun."
Publication date: March 2, 2018
