I read in the “Our Daily Bread” devotional just recently the following:
Praise is the song of a soul set free
I don’t know what it is like in your church/denomination, but in the one I attend there has been a trend the past at least 10-15 years to stop singing hymns on Sunday morning. I don’t know why that is, but I have had a chance to know several young people who have attended Christian colleges, and some of them have had a worship emphasis. And they say they are taught not to sing hymns anymore. Why? I don’t know!
I had a friend a long time ago tell me that their pastor told them he didn’t want hymns sung in the church because, and I quote, “They are old and slow”. I was dumbfounded. My jaw dropped. A pastor said that??!! “Old”???? The Bible is old – do we stop reading it and teaching it because it is old? “Slow”??? Have you ever sung “I’ll fly away”? What about “There is Power in the Blood”? Slow? I don’t think so!
I miss singing hymns. Don’t get me wrong – the worship at the churches I’ve attended the past 10-15 years have had good worship. Great singing, great leadership, great instruments, great songs and choruses. I’ve been lifted almost to heaven with some of the worship I’ve heard in church. It isn’t that the worship is bad. It is just lacking. Missing something. It has been missing hymns.
I wish we sang hymns more in church. Here are some of my favorites. What hymns do you like?
It is Well with my Soul
Blessed Assurance
Day by Day
How Great Thou Art
Rock of Ages
Nearer my God to Thee
Amazing Grace
Softly and Tenderly
I’ll Fly Away
Christ the Solid Rock
Holy, Holy, Holy
O the deep, deep love of Jesus
A Mighty Fortress is our God
O Worship the King
To God be the Glory
Crown Him with Many Crowns
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Be Thou my Vision
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing
Fairest Lord Jesus
Great is Thy Faithfulness
He Lives!
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
The Old Rugged Cross
There is Power in the Blood
Victory in Jesus
What a Day That will be
When we all get to Heaven
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross