Go Down, Moses!: Daily Devotions Inspired by Old Negro Spirituals

African American spirituals are the heart of all other American music and comprise the taproot of the musical expression of the black religious experience. "Go Down, Moses!" offers 365 daily devotions and includes a suggested Scripture reading for each day as well as a short prayer. Tying into the inspiration generated by African American spirituals, each devotion highlights the Negro spirituals that for decades have helped define African American religious culture. The suggested Scripture readings take readers through the first five books of the Old Testament, plus Joshua, and the first four books of the New Testament, plus Acts and Revelation. Readers are guided through a reading of the Bible during the course of one year.

Excerpt

DAY 1

Genesis 1-2
"A Little Talk wid Jesus Makes It Right"

1 O, A little talk wid Jesus, makes it right, all right;
Little talk wid Jesus makes it right, all right.
Lord, troubles of ev'ry kind,
Thank God, I'll always find,
Dat a little talk wid Jesus makes it right.

2 My brother, I remember when I was a sinner lost,
I cried "Have mercy Jesus,"
       But still my soul was toss'd;
`Til heard King Jesus say,
"Come here, I am de way;"
An' a little talk wid Jesus, makes it right.

3 Sometimes de forked lightnin',
       an' mutterin' thunder too,
Of trials an' tem'-tation make it hard
       for me an' you,
But Jesus, is our fr'en', He'll keep us to de en'
An' a little talk wid Jesus, makes it right.
(Johnson and Johnson 1926, 74)

Prayer Focus: Lord, thank you for listening to my caresand troubles and for being my Friend. Help to be agood listener?both to you and to others.

BIOY: Genesis 1-3 (1/364)

DAY 2

Proverbs 1
"A Little Talk With Jesus"

1 BROTHER, pray, brother, pray,
May the Lord help you pray,
And a little talk with Jesus makes it right,
All right, (All right,) All right, (All right,)
And a little talk with Jesus makes it right.

2 Leader, pray, leader, pray, ...

3 Sister, pray, sister, pray, ...

4 Elder, pray, elder, pray, ...

5 Deacon, pray, deacon, pray, ...

6 Preacher, pray, preacher, pray, ...
(Boatner and Townsend 1927, 15)

Prayer Focus: Lord, thank you for listening to me again.Now I want to listen to you. Help me to be a better listeneras we pray (talk) each day.

BIOY: Genesis 4-6 (2/363)

DAY 3

Genesis 3-4
"A New Hiding Place"

1 OH, the rocks and the mountains shall all flee away,
And you shall have a new hiding place that day.
Seeker, seeker, give up your heart to God,
And you shall have a new hiding place that day.

2 Doubter, doubter, give up your heart to God, ...

3 Mourner, mourner, give up your heart to God, ...

4 Sinner, sinner, give up your heart to God, ...

5 Mother, mother, give up your heart to God, ...

6 Children, children, give up your heart to God, ...
(Boatner and Townsend 1927, 47)

Prayer Focus: Lord, thank you for protecting me fromdangers seen and unseen. I don't want to run or hidefrom you ever again.

BIOY: Genesis 7-9 (3/362)

DAY 4

Proverbs 2
"Ain't Dat Good News?"

1 GOT a crown up in de Kingdom, (Leader)
ain't dat good news? (Response)
Got a crown up in de Kingdom,
ain't dat good news?

All: I'm a-goin' to lay down dis world,
Goin' to shoulder up mah cross,
Goin' to take it borne to Jesus,
ain't dat good news?

2 Got a harp in de Kingdom, ...

3 Got a robe in de Kingdom, ...

4 Got a slippers in de Kingdom, ...

5 Got a Savior in de Kingdom, ...
(Songs of Zion 1981, 114)

Prayer Focus: Thank you, God, for the gift of eternallife through Christ Jesus. That's Good News!

BIOY: Genesis 10-13 (4/361)

DAY 5

Genesis 5-6
"Ain't You Glad?"

1 AIN'T you glad you got a hiding place?
Ain't you glad you got a hiding place?
Ain't you glad you got a hiding place,
       `Way over in the promised land?

2 My Lord gave me that hiding place, ...

3 Ev'ry Christian's got a hiding place, ...

4 There is no dying in that hiding place, ...
(Boatner and Townsend 1927, 66)

Prayer Focus: It's going to rain, it's going to rain, andGod's going to destroy the earth with fire next time.Lord, thank you for preparing an ark of safety for me.Sail me safely over the great white throne of judgment,far beyond the lake of fire and into the eternal promisedland. Thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you forhiding me in the shadow of your love.

BIOY: Genesis 14-16 (5/360)

DAY 6

Proverbs 3
"All God's Chillun Got Wings"
(I've Got a Robe)

1 I GOT a robe, you got a robe,
All o' God's Chillun got a robe.
When I get to heab'n
I'm goin' to put on my robe,
I'm goin' to shout all ovah God's Heab'n,
Heab'n, Heab'n
Ev'rybody talkin' 'bout heab'n ain't goin' dere;
Heab'n, Heab'n,
I'm goin' to shout all ovah God's Heab'n.

2 I got-a wings, ... put on my wings, ... fly ...

3 I got a harp, ... take up my harp, ... play ...

4 I got shoes, ... put on my shoes, ... walk ...
(Johnson and Johnson 1925, 71)

Prayer Focus: Lord, I trust you. Thank you for directingmy paths, for your correction, and for your promiseof riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

BIOY: Genesis 17-19 (6/359)

DAY 7

Genesis 7-8
"All I Do, de Church Keep a-Grumblin'"

ALL I do, de church keep a grumblin',
All I do, Lord, all I do.
All I do, de church keep a grumblin,
All I do, I do, I do,
Yes, all I do, Lord, all I do.

1 Try my bes' for to serve my Master,
Try my bes' for to serve my Lord;
Try my bes' for to serve my Master,
Hallelujah.

2 Try my bes' for to foller my Leader, ...

3 Kneel an' pray so de devil won't harm me, ...

4 I'm gwine cling to de ship o' Zion, ...
(Johnson and Johnson 1926, 130)

Prayer Focus: Lord, thank you for saving me. I love youand will do my best to trust and obey you always.

BIOY: Genesis 20-22 (7/358)

DAY 8

Proverbs 4
"All o' My Sins"

1 ALL o' my sins (All o' my sins) been taken away,
(taken away),
All o' my sins (All o' my sins) been taken away;
(taken away);
All o' my sins been taken away,
Glory, hallelujah to His name;
All o' my sins been taken away, taken away.

2 If I could (If I could) I surely would, ...
Stand on the rock where Moses stood; ...

3 My Lord done ... just what He said, ...
He healed the sick and He raised the dead; ...

4 I went to valley ... and I didn't go to stay, ...
My soul got happy, I staid all day; ...
(Boatner and Townsend 1927, 24)

Prayer Focus: Thank you, Lord, for wisdom and understanding.Open my eyes and ears to your truth.

BIOY: Genesis 23-26 (8/357)

DAY 9

Genesis 9-10
"Almost Over"

1 SOME seek de Lord and they don't seek him right
Pray all day and sleep all night;
And I'll thank God,
    almost over, almost over, almost over
(My Lord) And I'll thank God, almost over.

2 Sister, if your heart is warm,
Snow and ice will do you no harm.

3 I done been down, and I done been tried,
I been through the water and I been baptized.

4 O sister, you must mind how you step on the cross,
Your foot might slip, and your soul get lost.

5 An' when you get t' heavn' you'll be able for to tell,
How you shunned the gates of hell.

6 Wrestle with Satan and wrestle with sin,
Stepped over hell and come back agin. (Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 74)

Prayer Focus: Thank you, Lord, for you are my strength.

BIOY: Genesis 27-29 (9/356)

DAY 10

Proverbs 5
"Amen"

AMEN, Amen,
Amen, Amen, Amen.
Amen, (Oh Lawdy!)
Amen, (Have mercy!)
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(Sing it over now) Amen,
(Oh Lawdy) Amen,
(Have mercy) Amen, Amen, Amen. (Songs of Zion 1981, 147)

Prayer Focus: Thank you for all the beautiful people inthe world. Some of them even make me want to forgetwho I am. Lord, grant me wisdom and strength to resistthe lust of my eyes and the lust of my flesh. Oh Lawdy!

BIOY: Genesis 30-33 (10/355)

DAY 11

Genesis 11-12
"Archangel Open the Door"

I AX all dem brudder* roun'
Brudder,* why can't you pray for me?
I ax all dem brudder* roun'
Brudder,* why can't you pray for me?

1 I'm gwine to my heaven,
I'm gwine home,
Archangel open de door;
I'm gwine to my heaven,
I'm gwine home;
Archangel open de door.

2 Brudder, tuk off your knapsack, I'm gwine home;
Archangel open de door.
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 32)

* Sister

Prayer Focus: Jesus, you were unjustly crucified; myancestors were unjustly lynched. How unfair deathoften comes! Thank God that death is a door to heaven.

BIOY: Genesis 34-36 (11/354)

DAY 12

Proverbs 6
"Balm in Gilead" (cf. Jer. 8:22)

THERE is a Balm in Gilead,
To make the wounded whole,
There is a Balm in Gilead,
To heal the sin-sick soul.

1 Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit,
Revives my soul again.

2 Don't ever feel discouraged,
For Jesus is your friend,
And if you lack for knowledge,
He'll ne'er refuse to lend.

3 If you cannot preach like Peter,
If you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
And say, "He died for all."
(Boatner and Townsend 1927, 43)

Prayer Focus: Jesus, sweet Savior, you are the Balm!

BIOY: Genesis 37-39 (12/353)

DAY 13

Genesis 13-14
"Before I'd Be a Slave (Oh, Freedom!)"

BEFORE I'd be a slave,
I'd be buried in my grave,
And go home to my Lord and be saved.

1 O, what preachin'! O, what preachin'!
O, what preachin' over me, over me!

2 O, what mourning, ...

3 O, what singing, ...

4 O, what shouting, ...

5 O, weeping Mary, ...

6 Doubting Thomas, ...

7 O, what sighing, ...

8 O, Freedom, ...
(Southern 1997, 217)

Prayer Focus: God, Jesus, and the Spirit make three; Iwill be free, with all that power in me!

BIOY: Genesis 40-42 (13/352)

DAY 14

Proverbs 7
"Bell da Ring"

I KNOW member, know Lord,
I know I yed-de de bell da ring.

1 Want to go to meeting, Bell da ring,
Want to go to meeting, Bell da ring.

2 (Say) Road so stormy.

3 I can't get to meetin'.

4 De church mos' ober.

5 De heaven-bell a heaven-bell.

6 De heaven-bell I gwine home.

7 I shout for de heaven-bell.

8 Heaven 'nough for me one.

9 (Brudder) hain't you a member?
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 34)

Prayer Focus: Lord, bless the gathering of believers.

BIOY: Genesis 43-45 (14/351)

DAY 15

Genesis 15-16
"Blow Your Trumpet, Gabriel"

1 DE talles' tree in Paradise,
De Christian call de tree of life;
And I hope dat trump might blow me home
To de new Jerusalem.
Blow your trumpet, Gabriel,
Blow louder, louder;
And I hope dat trump might blow me home
To de new Jerusalem.

2 Paul and Silas, bound in jail,
Sing God's praise both night and day;
And I hope, etc.
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 3)

Prayer Focus: Thank you for honoring your covenant withAbraham. I'm standing on your promises, walking in faith,and longing to come home and be with you forever.

BIOY: Genesis 46-48 (15/350)

DAY 16

Proverbs 8
"Bound to Go"

1 I BUILD my house upon de rock, O yes, Lord!
No wind, no storm can blow 'em down,
O yes, Lord!
March on, member, Bound to go;
Been to de ferry, Bound to go;
Left St. Helena, Bound to go;
Brudder, fare you well.

2 I build my jouise on shiftin' sand,
De first wind come he blow him down.

3 I am not like de foolish man,
He build his house upon the sand.

4 One mornin' as I was a walkin' along,
I saw de berries a-hanging down.

5 I pick de berries and I suck de juice,
He sweeter dan de honey comb.

6 I tuk dem brudder, two by two,
I tuk dem sister, tree by tree.
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 22)

Prayer Focus: Jesus, you are the rock of my salvation.

BIOY: Genesis 49-50 (16/349)

DAY 17

Genesis 17-18
"Brother, Guide Me Home"

BRUDDER, guide me home an' I am glad,
Bright angels biddy me to come;
Brudder, guide me home an' I am glad,
Bright angels biddy me to come.

1 What a happy time, chil'n
What a happy time, chil'n,
What a happy time, chil'n,
Bright angels biddy me to come.

2 Let's go to God, chil'n,
Let's go to God, chil'n,
Let's go to God, chil'n,
Bright angels biddy me to come.
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 86)

Prayer Focus: Lord, great is your faithfulness to thefaithful. I covenant to trust you, love you, and love myneighbor. Nothing is too hard for you.

BIOY: Genesis 1-4 (17/348)

DAY 18

Proverbs 9
"Brother Moses Gone"

BRUDDER Moses gone to de promised land,
Hal-le-lu, ha-le-lu-jah.
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 49)

Prayer Focus: Jesus said, "And you shall know thetruth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).As Jesus prayed to God he said, "Sanctify them by Yourtruth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). The Biblereveals, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdomand the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding"(Prov. 9:10).

    Lord, it is my prayer that you deliver me from thebondage of deception, lies, falsehoods, philosophicalfallacies, practical blunders, and even from my ownlimited thinking. Lead me into the promised land oftruth and understanding. Order my mental footsteps byyour Word (cf. Ps. 119:105,133).

BIOY: Genesis 5-8 (18/347)

DAY 19

Genesis 19-20
"Build a House In Paradise"

1 MY brudder build a house in Paradise,
My brudder build a house in Paradise,
Build it wid-out a hammer or a nail,
Build it wid-out a hammer or a nail.

2 My fader build a house in Paradise, ...

3 O-na build a house in Paradise, ...
(Allen, Ware, and Garrison 1867, 29)

Prayer Focus: Lord help me, day by day, to live in ameek and humble way. I want to live in a mansion notbuilt with a hammer or a nail. Lord, guide me day byday in a pure and perfect way. I want to live in a housenot made by hands. Lord, encourage me with a song,and don't forget to protect me from harm. Please giveme grace to run this race to a building not made byhands. I'm just a traveler here sending up timber.

BIOY: Exodus 9-12 (19/346)

(Continues...)

Copyright © 2000 Leonidas A. Johnson. All rights reserved.
ISBN: 0-8170-1372-5