My favorite Hymns
Apr 12th, 2008 by admin
I was inspired by Deb over at Network Blogging Tips to write blog posts with lists. Plus it helps that’s she’s having a little contest to go along with it! 
So today I thought I’d list some of my favorite hymns. I’ve told you all before how much I love the old traditional hymns. I grew up singing them in church and then we kind of transitioned away as we went to other churches to praise choruses, etc. Now we sing hymns again with the folks at our retirement home and attend a church that sings hymns again. I just love them. They’re rich in doctrine and really focus on God rather than on us. Great stuff.
So here are my top five hymns for today:
1. It is Well With My Soul - even the story behind why that hymn was written is good. When you know the story, the words take on even more meaning and richness. I love the last verse that starts: “And Lord, haste the day when Thy Face shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll…”
2. How Great Thou Art - Powerful hymn. When I worked at the ranch in Colorado we’d end our program in the meadow singing this song with the mountains surrounding us and the sun going down. The gospel in a verse: “And when I think, that G-d His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in. That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, he bled and died to take away my sin. Then sings my soul, my savior G-d to thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art…”
3. Trust and Obey. Although this one doesn’t have the rich melody of the others, the words of trust and obey come to mind all the time. “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
4. Wonderful Grace of Jesus. Another one that’s a bit more lively than rich but just hearing this one sung in church brings me joy. Maybe it’s the way the harmonies are written… it’s just a great song.
5. Joy to the World. I’m not sure why this hymn is only sung in December -
“He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love…”
I have many more I can list but that’s a good start! Do you have any favorite old hymns? I’d love to hear!
This is great way to start a busy day - with these hymns in my thoughts and giving me the right perspective on things! One of my favorites - How Great Thou Art (my mother sings that one a lot - I think that song will always remind me of her).
Oh yes the hymns! At my former church every First Sunday during Communion Sunday we sang hymns during the service. I love “Face to Face” because it reminds me that soon I will meet my Savior and behold Him in all His glory. That gives me goosebumps. Another favorite is “I Surrender All” because without God I am nothing so I must give Him all.
Having sung more masses than I can count, I always had a top-hymns list, but they are theme-based…wedding, funeral, Christmas! So these are not necessarily hymns, but my favorites to sing.
“Morning Has Broken” is always uplifting.
I love singing “He Shall Feed His Flock” from the Messiah.
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs
with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
For Christmas, it’s “Oh Holy Night”.
I take singing at funerals very seriously, because it is such an important time for family and friends. There is something so moving about bringing beautiful music to such a sad time.
For military funerals, I love singing “America the Beautiful” especially verse 3:
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
Hmmm… not exactly an answer to your question, but it’s where my brain went today!