Why I Love the Hymns

Hey friends! Ever since I was little, I’ve been listening to, playing, and singing the old hymns. As the years have gone by, I’ve come to love them more than ever. While I enjoy a number of godly, beautiful songs/hymns written recently, there’s just something so precious about the hymns that live on after half a century or longer! I think that they will always hold a special place in my heart. (There’s also room in there for some newer hymns, too. 😊) After reading a couple of articles on hymns lately, I began thinking about why I love them.

They are rich in doctrine.

Think about a hymn like “Beneath the Cross of Jesus,” “Arise my Soul, Arise,” “There is a Fountain,” or “How Firm a Foundation.” There’s rich doctrinal truth in each hymn. It is obvious that the hymn writers knew their Bibles! Many hymns contain Scriptural references or explain some facet of Christian doctrine, such as the atonement or the second coming of Jesus Christ. There is a gold-mine truth in these songs, if one will only take the time and attention to seek it out.

They are beautiful in expression.

I enjoy just reading the words of hymns–they give voice in such a beautiful and clear way to the believer’s heart. Think about the words of “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” “Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul,” “Abide with Me” or “All that Thrills My Soul is Jesus.” It’s as if someone else said exactly what you feel but couldn’t say! And, they did it beautifully, reverently, worshipfully.

They are easy to sing and memorize.

Some modern songs seem to try and fit twenty words in the musical space of ten. 😊 Most of the hymns, however, are set to music that is easy to learn and sing. (Now, I’ll admit, I’ve come across some hymns that I wish had different tunes–the words are too beautiful for such a boring melody!) The words are usually easy to memorize as well. This makes these hymns a blessing for “speaking to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.”

They are a wonderful heritage from Christians in time past.

Recently, I learned about the remarkable history behind “I Will Sing of My Redeemer.” It’s quite a story–maybe I’ll share it on here sometime. The hymnwriters were real people, who often wrote from their personal experience. Many wrote from lives of great adversity (William Cowper, Frances Ridley Havergal, Charlotte Elliott, Fanny Crosby). I think this is what gives the hymns such great meaning; why they still speak to hearts today! As a side note, I’ve seen some English translations of Russian hymns, which I suspect were written during great persecution. There is a depth of meaning to those hymns that could only have come through suffering.

I’m so grateful for the rich heritage of hymns that have been passed down from generation to generation. I’m thankful to have grown up in a church and family that values the old hymns. Truly, Christian hymnody is a precious gift. I would love to hear what your favorite hymns are and why they are special to you, so feel free to chime in through the comments below!