Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Ponder Anew

Home
Evangelical
What Are Your Favorite Hymns?

What Are Your Favorite Hymns?

Last updated on: June 9, 2018 at 10:25 am by Jonathan Aigner

What Are Your Favorite Hymns? 2018-06-09T10:25:26-05:00 Jonathan Aigner

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As I’ve said before, engaged traditional worship [primarily] because we like it or because it creates this sensory experience for us, but because we need it. Because we need the grounding, the shaping, and the “rootedness” that it brings us, while looking for new and creative ways to express our Christian story. Because it reminds us of what has already been done in Christ, and what one day will be. These are things that all worshipers need, regardless of our own preferences.

But one byproduct of historic Christian worship is that, through active participation and repetition, it helps our faith become a part of us. In that way, hymn singing has always been a didactic process. Most of us who grew up with hymns undoubtedly have some that are our favorites, usually those in which we have found meaning, instruction, solace, and encouragement. I learned many of these hymns as a kid, and it’s nothing but a benefit to me to have them hymns in my heart and head as I go through the seasons of life.

One of the main problems with the current commercial repertoire is that it’s not created to last. By its own definition, contemporary worship has little use for anything that isn’t current and that doesn’t produce a limbic response. Even the few hymn texts that remain are usually restrung into a pop performance piece. It becomes a bit like striking a match. It’s exciting for an instant, but then it’s gone, and we’re left to try and recreate it. When we choose songs to sing in worship, we ought to be doing so with an eye toward lighting a candle, a lasting flame that will stay with us.

Last week, Chuck McKnight, author of the Hippie Heretic blog on the Patheos Progressive Christian Channel, published the results of an informal survey he took on the 25 favorite hymns of progressive Christians. I thought a similar poll of my own readers would be interesting, because I’m aware they come out of backgrounds all across the theological/political spectrum. I wonder how much they will differ from those on the progressive list.

When I ask for your favorite hymns, I’m really asking for a deeper answer. I’m not looking as much for those you harbor a strong sentimental connection. I want to know which hymns are the ones that stick with you throughout the seasons of your life, nurturing the flame of Christ’s gospel inside your heart. For me, choosing ten is almost impossible. Tomorrow, half of them might change. But this is my best shot, in no particular order.

I want to know yours, as well. Give me your own top ten, even if in no particular order. If you can’t come up with ten, make it five, or even three. I’ll be checking the comments on this post, along with any I can view on Facebook, as well.

God Is Here!

Fred Pratt Green, 1979; rev. 1988 (ABBOT’S LEIGH)

Lord of all, of church and kingdom,
In an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel;
Help us work your purpose out.

Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know

Johann C. Schwedler, 1741; trans. Benjamin Hall Kennedy, 1863 (HENDON)

This is that great thing I know;
this delights and stirs me so:
faith in Him who died to save,
Him who triumphed o’er the grave,
Jesus Christ, the Crucified.

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name

Attr. Ignaz Franz, c. 1774; trans. Clarence Alphonsus Walworth, 1858 (GROSSER GOTT)

Lo! the apostolic train,
Join thy sacred name to hallow;
Prophets swell the glad refrain,
And the white-robed martyrs follow,
And from morn till set of sun,
Through the church the song goes on.

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Charles Wesley, 1747 (BLAENWERN, also BEECHER, HYFRYDOL)

Finish then thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Martin Luther, 1529; trans. Frederick Henry Hedge, 1852 (EIN’ FESTE BURG)

That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.

Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above

Johann Jacob Schuetz, 1675; trans. Frances Elizabeth Cox, 1864 (MIT FREUDEN ZART)

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled,
And every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

There Is a Fountain

William Cowper, 1772

When this poor lisping, stamm’ring tongue
Lies silent in the grave,
Then in a nobler, sweeter song
I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

Thine Is the Glory

Edmond Louis Budry, 1884; trans. R. Birch Hoyle, 1923

No more we doubt thee,
Glorious Prince of life!
Life is naught without thee;
Aid us in our strife.
Make us more than conquerors
Through thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan
To thy home above.

Of the Father’s Love Begotten

Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 5th c. (DIVINUM MYSTERIUM)

O, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bore the Savior of our race,
And the babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed his sacred face,
Evermore and evermore!

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!

Reginald Heber, 1827 (NICAEA)

Holy, holy, holy!
Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see.

Uncategorized

favorite hymns

hymns

Previous Post

June 4, 2018

God's Love Isn't Reckless, and Neither Should Our Worship Be

Next Post

June 11, 2018 How to Get Along With Church Musicians: A Guide for Pastors

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Church of St. YouTube congregational singing congregational song contemporary critiques corporate worship Hymn of the Week hymn singing hymnody and hymnology hymns masturbatory worship Uncategorized worship Worship Quotes

Select a Month February 2023 January 2023 October 2022 September 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 November 2019 September 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many disciples did Jesus choose?

Select your answer to see how you score.

10 13 12 11