Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs

I. Introduction
I could find nothing about the composer or lyricist of this song, however, the song is obviously taken from Matt. 11:28-30.

The title of this song would, at first sight, seem to be a contradiction. The word Hark followed by an exclamation point conveys the idea of a phrase that I use in the classroom, "listen up". What I want is to gain the attention of the person(s) that I am talking to. The exclamation point means to put emphasis on the word and to add excitement to the word. So, the idea is listen to what I am saying-it is important to me and to you and I am emphatic about it's importance. To follow this with the term gentle would seem to be the contradiction. When we think of emphasizing something, we think of raising the pitch or volume of our voice. To be gentle with our voice, we think of lower pitch and volume, maybe even whispering.

Therefore, I believe the idea that this title is trying to convey is that Jesus is not going to try to force us to obey through intimidation, but will use logic, reason and yes, some emotion to bring us to him. However, if we do not have within us, after hearing his voice, the need to listen and understand the importance of his words, we miss the whole idea.

II. Verse 1-Hark! the gentle voice of Jesus falleth tenderly upon your ear; sweet his cry of love and pity calleth:turn and listen, stay and hear. Rom. 10:4-18, Heb. 3, James 1:19-20, Rev. 2:7, Isaiah 63:7-9, Rev. 3:1-3.

Notice the logical progression involved in the process contained in this verse:

• The voice of Jesus calls tenderly, sweetly with love for us and with pity for our lost condition (he wants all to obey).
• In order for this call to affect a difference in us, we must turn toward him, we cannot walk away.
• After we turn toward him we must listen to him. This doesn't mean just to hear the words that he says it means to understand and process the information.
• Once we hear his words we must continually stay in the position of listening.
• And finally, if we understand and do what he wants we really hear him.

III. Verse 2-Take his yoke, for he is meek and lowly; bear his burden, to him turn; he who calleth is the Master holy; he will teach if you will learn. Matt. 21:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11, Gal. 6:1-2, Matt. 8:18-20.

Jesus is the ultimate master. he not only knows of our problems and obstacles, he endured these also. He is our great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16), our propitiation (Rom. 3:21-26), our redeemer (Isaiah 44:6), and our savior (Acts 5:31). Again, we must be willing to learn about him and he will teach all thing that pertain to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4).

IV. Verse 3-Then, his loving tender voice obeying, bear his yoke, his burden take; find the yoke his hand is on you laying, light and easy for his sake. Acts 5:29- 32, Rom. 5:14-17, Heb. 5:9.

When we think of bearing a burden or taking a yoke, we think of something that adds to the problems or responsibilities that we have. I think we could probably say that taking on the yoke or the burden that Jesus Christ puts on us, does add responsibilities, but it also alleviates the burden or the yoke of sin. The burden of sin is so much more heavy (especially the consequences) that anything that may be required of us as Christian is light and easy.

V. Chorus-Ye that labor and are heavy laden, lean upon your dear Lord's breast; ye that labor and are heavy laden, come, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28-30, John 13:21-26, 2 Thess. 1:5-10

Although there may be problems and burdens associated with being a follower of Christ, the rewards of having the comforting knowledge of the Son of God and the rest found in him, will make it worthwhile. The priceless reward of a home in heaven will more than repay any inconvenient trouble that we have her on the earth.