Whatever happened to hymns?

They've endured for decades or even centuries. Their sound may lack contemporary appeal; their language may seem archaic to some. But their stirring melodies and profound truths have stood the test of time, and singing them in worship can lift your soul to the heavenlies.

They are the great old hymns of the faith, and they seem to be slipping into the background of today's church music scene--replaced by an imbalance of often repetitive and sometimes shallow praise and worship choruses.

Don't get me wrong; I am truly blessed by many of today's praise choruses, and I'm not one who thinks the last good Christian song was written in 1852. But I truly love the great old hymns of the faith, and it concerns me that many Christian youngsters are growing up totally unfamiliar with them. What a blessing they're missing out on!



I was heartened the other night to hear on Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family about a couple of books that are aimed at remedying that situation. They are "Hymns for a Kid's Heart," Volumes One and Two, by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada.

This quote from the link : "Enrich your children's Christian heritage by using this resource to teach them about the character of God, sound doctrine and the joy of worship. Twelve classic hymns are introduced through Scripture, prayers, stories and biographical information about the hymn-writers."

The books come with accompanying CDs and simple piano and guitar chords.

The radio show included testimony from a young mom who uses the CD's during car trips to teach her children about the Biblical truths contained in the songs, which are sung by a children's choir. What a wonderful way to pass these wonderful songs on to a new generation...and reinforce scripture and doctrine at the same time.

Some of my most moving worship experiences have taken place while singing hymns like "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Blessed Assurance." However, my very favorite hymn is "And Can it Be" by Charles Wesley (music by Thomas Campbell):

"And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain—
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Still the small inward voice I hear,
That whispers all my sins forgiven;
Still the atoning blood is near,
That quenched the wrath of hostile Heaven.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.
I feel the life His wounds impart;
I feel the Savior in my heart.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own."

The vivid word picture painted by the verse about his spirit languishing in prison, only to be awakened when "the dungeon flamed with light" never fails to stir me, and is my favorite verse in all of hymnology:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.


Wow. That Charles Wesley sure could write!

What's your favorite hymn? Post the answer in my comments section! :)