I met Matthew Bassford in the Summer of 2001 at the R. J. Stevens Singing School in Wilburton, Oklahoma. We were both 23 years old. We spent Day 1 sitting next to each other in a classroom. I was an ignorant, wide-eyed newbie who knew next to nothing about the art of hymn writing and didn’t particularly enjoy poetry. Matt wasn’t one of the teachers of the hymn writing class that week, but within a few hours it became clear that I was sitting next to a genius.
Matt walked in bright and early on Day 2 with a giant smile on his face and for some strange reason (I had just met him the day before!) he gave me a big bear hug. Come to find out, he had discovered overnight that we were distant cousins. Several of our shared ancestors have been laid to rest in the same small cemetery in central Missouri.
I was blessed to spend two intensive weeks over the course of two years with Matt and his mentors. One of the most memorable parts for me of those weeks was the early “road testing” of hymns like “Exalted,” “Be Strong and Courageous,” “You Are the Rock of My Heart,” and more–lyrics written by Matt.
Even in his early 20s, Matt was a word-smithing master, in a class all his own, but he showed genuine interest in me and other newbies like me who wanted to learn. He was funny and brilliantly witty, able to compose a “hymn” in praise of morning coffee quicker than I could drink a cup. He was patient, encouraging, constructive in his criticism and laser-focused on the need for excellence in what we offer to God and his people. He made an impression on me that has shaped who I am. He and his mentors unlocked within me a deep love for poetry, hymn history, and a greater appreciation for what makes “a good hymn.” Even though we would only occasionally cross paths in person after those classes in Oklahoma, we always had plenty in common, could easily reconnect, and truly enjoyed catching up on each other’s work.
I never really paid attention to the names in the bottom corners of a hymn, until those weeks in Oklahoma. When I started paying attention, I was blown away at how often I was seeing “Matthew W. Bassford” in that bottom left corner.
A Foretaste of Your Rest.
A Heart to Follow You.
A New Song.
A Nobler Mind.
All Hail, Eternal Light.
Almighty Father, Hear My Plea.
Almighty in Wonder.
Arise and Bless the Lord.
Be Reconciled to God.
Be Strong and Courageous.
Better Things.
Children of Heaven.
Come and Exalt Him.
Eternal Love.
Evensong.
Everlasting God.
Exalted.
Father, Help Me Pray.
Give Ear to My Appeals.
Greater is He.
He Breathes.
He Will Intercede.
His Loving Hand.
How Great a Love.
Jerusalem.
Let Us Know Jehovah.
Lord, Teach Me As You Will.
Lower Than the Angels.
Maranatha.
My Father, By Your Will.
My Father’s Voice.
My Song is the Law of the Lord.
Praise the Lord for His Goodness.
Purify Us.
Rain Down, O Heavens.
Reborn in Me.
Rejoice and Sing That God is Great!
Savior and Friend.
Seek First the Kingdom.
Servant’s Song.
Sing to the Lord.
Song of Angels.
Stay With Us, O Risen Jesus.
Still a Blessing.
The City of Refuge.
The Cost.
The Feast of Love.
The Kingdom, Lord, is Yours.
The Mercy of Our God.
The Promise is For You.
The Rock of My Heart.
The Ways to Zion.
There is a City.
This Time, I Will Praise the Lord.
We Are One.
We Love Your Praise, O God.
You Are the Rock of My Heart.
You Do Not Change.
…and many more.
Early this morning, Matt went on to his eternal reward after a long battle with ALS. Even though he lived only 45 years on this earth, I can’t think of any member of my generation who will have (I believe) a larger impact on the people of God for decades to come than Matthew Bassford.
The next time you sing in an assembly of worship, take a peek at that bottom left corner. I have a strong hunch it won’t be long before you read Matt’s name. When you do, take a brief moment to thank our Father in heaven for the talents he gave to Matt and the way Matt used them to craft blessings for untold multitudes.
I don’t know if we’ll sing lyrics written by mere mortals around the throne of God above. If we do, I hope to hear the myriads upon myriads of angels and glorified saints sing “Exalted.” How awesome would that be? If we do, I hope I get to stand close to Matt. I can’t wait to sing with him for ages to come in bodies that never tire, never weaken, never wear out…
In the meantime, please pray for his wife Lauren, their children Zoe and Marky, and his sister Susan.
The evening light is failing;
The sun has passed away;
Our Father’s hand is veiling
The splendor of the day,
But still we know His favor
And see it shine more bright
In Jesus Christ our Savior,
Our pure and changeless Light.
In peace beyond all sorrow,
We let our eyelids close,
Unworried by tomorrow,
Untroubled by our foes.
Our Shepherd will not fail us;
He watches for His sheep;
No evil will assail us,
For He will never sleep.
Our God, as we adore You,
We learn that life shall pass;
All flesh is dust before You,
Its glory, like the grass.
But You will not forsake us
Nor leave Your word undone;
From darkness You will wake us
To glory like the sun.
– Matthew W. Bassford (2005)