Hymns

". . . addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart . . ." Ephesians 5:19

I must confess that for the majority of my life, I associated hymns with a musty and dying (if not dead) breed of Christianity.  The outdated words ("Thee and Thou") seemed pretentious, and the melodies laboriously complex.  I was proud to be a part of a generation that was finally casting off the baggage and constraints of "traditional Christianity" in favor of a fresher and more culturally relevant expression of faith.

I've come to see over the past few years, however, that a particular genre or form of music is not the problem.  It is just as possible for a cold dead form of Christianity to pipe out pop or rock flavored worship music as it is for it to pipe out hymns-- and it is just as possible for me to mumble mindless and distracted through a Chris Tomlin chorus as it is for me to fake my way through a Martin Luther hymn. 

Paul's description of a life filled with the Holy Spirit (in the above verse) actually paints a picture of a heart filled with all kinds of songs of praise (psalms, hymns, spiritual songs), sung corporately (to "one another") and privately ("with your heart").  A heart under the influence of the Holy Spirit is a heart ready to grab onto any available melody and make it a passionate expression of love, awe, and honor to the Lord.

I've been trained to do this with contemporary Christian worship music, but I find myself increasingly drawn to worship in traditional hymns as well.  The "wordiness" of many hymns allows for the exposition of deep theological truths which I seldom take the time to sit down and meditate on.  As I am taught and reminded of these truths (things like the Incarnation, and substitutionary atonement) I am drawn to worship God in response.

This morning, I was listening to a hymn written by Phillip Paul Bliss in the 1800s (pictured above).  It is a simple prayer which gives voice to the longings within me, and builds a structure for me to hang the desires of my heart on.  It is titled, simply:  "My Prayer."

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

If you'd like to get a good sampling of hymns which I have found to be helpful in personal worship, consider downloading "Eclectic Hymns" by Jacey Davison.  It's not a big budget recording from a well-known artist, but it remains true to the ancient lyrics and melodies of it's hymns while adding fresh instrumentation, and some of the most earnest and sincere vocals I've heard.  Best of all, its free.  You can get it at:  http://noisetrade.com/eclectichymns

May you find joy in worshipping your Maker and Redeemer this week (no matter what kind of music is playing)!