It almost seems like when you say the word ‘hymns’ these days it takes on a sentimental sense, or like something from a bygone era. They don’t seem to be sung in churches as much anymore, having been replaced by newer worship songs. I don’t think that is a good development. It’s not that every hymn was good because it is old and every worship song is shallow just because it is new. We should use whatever is good, whether old or new.
And I also think there is something to be said for singing a hymn out of a hymnal. Everything is sung off the screen. Perhaps we went too far with that.
In any case, several years ago, a worship leader in the church I pastored asked what my favorite hymns were. I gave him a list of 20. I’ve narrowed that down to 12 (these are not in any particular order).
1. All Creatures of Our God and King. Words by St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic Monk, from the year 1225. This is a hymn of creation, specifically about creation praising God–an unusual take! The sun, moon, clouds, stars, water, fire (some of these were objects that pagans worshipped); but here they do the worshipping of the one, true God.
2. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. I remember discovering this hymn at the same time I encountered the one just mentioned–All Creatures of Our God and King. Two great hymns discovered at once! It’s a God-centered hymn, which is the highest kind. It is meaty; it has weight. It was also written long ago, in 1680, which may have something to do with that.
3. And Can It Be? Lyrics by Charles Wesley (in my view, the greatest hymnwriter). This song takes you into the holy of holies of what salvation is all about. Likening the sinful life to a dungeon, he speaks of salvation: “I woke, the dungeon flamed with light! My chains fell off; my heart was free. I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” That’s a good summary of the Christian life. I remember this hymn was sung often in seminary chapel services.
4. Arise, My Soul, Arise. Also by Charles Wesley, similar in theme to And Can It Be. This is my favorite hymn of all. It speaks of the spiritual stirring caused by remembrance of Christ’s atonement: “Arise, my soul, arise/Shake off thy guilty fears/The blessing sacrifice/In my behalf appears.” Another verse has Christ’s wounds from the cross crying out, “Forgive him, O forgive…” A vivid, poetic way of reminding you of what it is all about. I named by second novel after this hymn because the story is about a man who is moved from discouragement and failure into action and fighting the good fight.
5. We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer. A fairly simple, easy to sing hymn written in 1902. I take note of that date because the words seem to come from a more Christian age, when society and the church were not as much at war as they are today. The words are not dramatic, they just express humble devotion.
6. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise. In my view, this may be the most underrated hymn of all time. It is not sung nearly as often as it should be. It is majestic: “Immortal, invisible, God only wise/In light inaccessible hid from our eyes…” It’s a hymn of God’s transcendence; of His majesty and power. These days, the emphasis in music is so much on God’s closeness and comfort. I think the pendulum has swung too far that way.
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. This is by far my favorite Christmas carol. Again, with words by Charles Wesley. It has theological depth more than any carol: “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see/Hail the incarnate deity/Please as man with men to dwell/Jesus, our Immanuel!”–what other Christmas carol goes that deep? A bonus: the music for it was written by Felix Mendelssohn, a Jewish-Christian classical composer.
8. He Has Surely Borne Our Sorrow. This is about the cross. An easy melody with simple words, but the message is there. I think this would be a good one for new Christians to sing. Unfortunately, I don’t think it is used much.
9. Were You There? This is an Afro-American spiritual. Very sparse, with repeated questions: “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?…Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree?…Were you there when they laid Him in a tomb?…” And in each verse it has the singer singing “Ohhh” for a full measure. At first glance it looks thin; but what it lacks in theological depth it makes up for in emotional power. The last verse, “Were you there when He rose up from the dead?” makes you want to cry tears of joy. Emotion has its place.
10. Song for the Nations. It’s one of those good old-fashioned missionary songs, with a hint of military fervor…and who doesn’t need to sing an old-fashioned militant missionary song every once in a while? It’s painful to admit, but we tend to forget about missions because of our daily problems. We need reminding, and songs like this remind us: “May we be a shining light to the nations/A shining light to the peoples of the earth…” Some might see those words as paternalistic. No. They remind us to get up off our couches and remember that the Christian life is more than just ‘Jesus and me’.
11. I Then Shall Live. Words by Gloria Gaither. Though the Gaithers are sometimes not associated with the deepest and weightiest themes, this song captures in a clear way the real and best motive for our Christian morality. Lines like, “I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven,” “I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too,” and, “So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother,” remind us that we must pass on the grace we have been given. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you,” Colossians 3:13.
12. Satisfied. This is a hymn about our experience (how we feel about God)–a testimony hymn. These are not the most important kinds of hymns, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be sung occasionally. This song is optimistic, with a soaring chorus. Sometimes when you are feeling spiritually down in the dumps it’s good to sing lyrics that are higher than you feel. I’ve been there. At first you might think, “I can’t sing that; I don’t feel that,” but you should sing it anyway. After all, we should be satisfied. Songs like this have their place.
I’d be interested to know your favorite hymns and why. If you like, please list them in the comments.
Amazing Grace and It Is Well. Love how God turns all things for good and his Glory. I came to Christ with It Is Well playing at Rawlensville Camp Meeting. So excited to be their missionaries for the second week of camp this year.