He Rose to Set Us Free

I’ve posted a new song by Kevin Hartnett, my wife, and myself titled “He Rose to Set Us Free.” It’s a children’s song for Easter.

Audio and sheet music download

VERSE 1
Let joyful songs of thankfulness
Fill every heart today!
For God, in love, devised a plan
To take our sins away!

CHORUS
He rose up from the grave that day,
He rose for all to see!
He died to take the sinner’s place,
He rose to set us free!

VERSE 2
To pay for sins, men had to die,
Our sinless God had said,
But he sent down His perfect Son
To take our place instead.

VERSE 3
It was a most amazing plan
That Christ should die for me;
And to declare God’s work complete
He rose to life again!

By Ken and Rachael Boer and Kevin Hartnett. Copyright (c) 2007 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries. All rights reserved.

Are You Looking for the Savior

I’ve posted a new song, titled “Are You Looking for the Savior,” which I wrote with my friend Kevin Hartnett.  It tells the story of Simeon and Anna, and asks whether we are looking for the Savior with eager expectation, as they were.

You can get the audio and sheet music at the song’s permanent page.

VERSE 1
Old Simeon would wake each day
To think about the Lord.
He knew that God had promised that
Their land would be restored.
The Spirit also made a wondrous guarantee:
That he would surely live until
The promised Christ he’d see.

CHORUS
Are you looking for the Savior?
Do you know Him – the Promised One?
All of hist’ry points to Jesus
He is God’s redeeming Son

VERSE 2
Sweet Anna worshipped God as well
Within the temple there.
She sought to know His heart and mind
By fasting and through prayer.
And when she saw the child
Began to sing His praise,
For God provided Jesus to
Redeem the nation’s ways.

VERSE 3
Let every heart now look to God
To see what He has done:
His promise of a Savior was
Fulfilled by His own Son.
The name of Jesus Christ
Be joy to every ear!
The sinless Son laid down His life
So sinners can draw near.

ALTERNATE VERSE 3 (FOR ADVENT)
Do you then think of God like this
Or long to know His will?
Do you commit to fast and pray
His purpose to fulfill?
O let us sing His praise
And speak of what He’s done -
To save a world enslaved in sin
God gave His precious Son

Copyright (c) 2007 Ken Boer and Kevin Hartnett

Hosanna in the Highest

Hosanna in the Highest is a song that I wrote with Kevin Hartnett last year for a children’s choir for Palm Sunday.  While I know we’re in the middle of summer, I thought I’d pass it along anyway.  I know there are a few out there who collect things like this throughout the year.  One of my first interactions with my wife, when we were first getting to know each other two summers ago, was to tell her that I had gone for a run that day in 90 degree weather, and it was a great run because I got to listen to a great Christmas CD while I was running.  Needless to say, she was a little confused.  We got a good laugh out of it.

Anyway, here’s the song:

Verse One:
He rides upon a donkey;
He heals the blind and lame;
King David was His Father,
Messiah is His name!
He shuts the mouths of demons;
He sets the Temple right;
Let those who love the Kingdom
Rejoice with all their might!

Chorus;
Hosanna in the highest!
Our saving King has come!
Let every hand wave branches
And praise the Promised One!

Verse Two:
Rejoice with us O people,
Behold the Promised Son!
The rocks could rise and shout it:
Our humble Leader’s come!
Old men- lay down your garments;
You children – praises bring;
Lift up your gates, O City,
Arise and greet your King!

Audio, lyrics, and a lead sheet are available at the song’s permanent page.

There’s also a list of songs on the site, if you’re looking for others like it.

Living the Story

I’ve posted a new song, called “Living the Story.”  It’s a song I wrote for my sister and brother-in-law when they got married, and then later used it when Rachael and I got married.

It was written out of a desire to have a song that clearly stated God’s purpose for marriage – to display the gospel through pointing to Christ’s relationship with the church.

You can access it here.  Let me know if you have any comments or thoughts.

Thanks!