Henry Smith wrote the song “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart” in 1978. But he only sang it at his local church in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife Cindy.
So, understandably, they were both utterly stunned when they later heard their song years later as a chart topping hit. The hymn had gone viral without them knowing how. Still to this day, it’s not quite clear how the song travelled and who carried it where. But what’s indisputable is that the song resonated with the entire church around the world and it has been translated into many languages and encouraged Christians around the globe. The song had been credited to “Author Unknown” until Henry contacted the recording studio, Integrity Music, and let them know he wrote it. They were thrilled, as they’d been searching for the song’s origin for a while.
Henry and Cindy discuss all this one the episode and we also chat about how Henry attended seminary where he studied Greek and Hebrew. Therefore, he was excited to discuss Romans 8:17 with me and we focused in on the Greek word klēronomoi (κληρονόμοι) which means “heirs.”
And stay tuned to the end where Henry has kindly allowed Bammerhab to premiere a portion of one of his newest songs!
This episode digs deeper into that word “klēronomoi (κληρονόμοι - meaning ‘heirs’) in Romans 8:17.
Romans 8:17 - “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (NIV)
Mentioned:
History of Henry Smith’s “Give Thanks”
Wikipedia Entry for “Give Thanks”
Wikipedia Entry for Dave Dravecky
Fathered by God - John Eldredge
Experiencing God - Henry Blackaby
Union Presbyterian Seminary - Richmond, VA
What is a Bammerhab?
“You have not given me into the hands of the enemybut have set my feet in a spacious place.” (Ps. 31:8 - NIV)
The phrase “in a spacious place” is the Hebrew word: bammerhab.
Thanks to:
• Aaron Woodard for Graphic Design
• Dave Allam of Allam House for podcasting techniques
• Bible Hub for Greek / Hebrew resources
