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Henry Francis Lyte

Henry Francis Lyte

Updated 9 months, 2 weeks ago

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6 Hymns
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Biography

Short Name: Henry Francis Lyte
Full Name: Lyte, Henry Francis
Birth Year: 1793
Death Year: 1847

Henry Francis Lyte was born on June 1, 1793, at Ednam, near Kelso, the son of Captain Thomas Lyte. He was educated at Portora (the Royal School of Enniskillen) and Trinity College, Dublin, where he distinguished himself as a Scholar and won the English prize poem three times, graduating in 1814. Initially intending to study medicine, he shifted to theology and was ordained in 1815, beginning his ministry with a curacy near Wexford.

In 1817, Lyte moved to Marazion, Cornwall, where a profound spiritual transformation occurred following the illness and death of a brother clergyman. This experience shaped his life and ministry, prompting him to study the Bible more deeply and preach with renewed conviction. He reflected on the death of his colleague as a lesson in God’s mercy and the assurance of salvation through Christ.

Lyte later moved to Lymington in 1819, where he wrote Tales on the Lord's Prayer (published in 1826). In 1823, he was appointed Perpetual Curate of Lower Brixham, Devon, a post he held until his death. Lyte was also known for his literary contributions, including Poems of Henry Vaughan, with a Memoir, published in 1846. He died on November 20, 1847.

Dictionary of Hymnology

Far from my [our] heavenly home Hymn

H. F. Lyte’s S.M. paraphrase of Psalm 137 from The Spirit of the Psalms (1834); his most used psalm version in Britain and America, sometimes altered to “our” and sometimes omitting stanza ii.

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God of mercy, God of grace, Shew the brightness of Thy face Hymn

Lyte’s second version of Psalm 67 from The Spirit of the Psalms (1834), three stanzas of six lines. Extensively used, usually unaltered, in English-speaking countries.

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Ducarel / Psalters, Versions in English History

Dual: “Hamilton, Adams & Co” is Ducarel imprint. Catalogue 1833–34: Bartrum; H. F. Lyte; William Peter (see No. 219); H. A. S. Atwood Kenilworth version.

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Hymns by Henry Francis Lyte

Includes hymns they wrote and hymns where they are credited as co-author, translator, paraphraser, adapter, or arranger.

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