power of hymns

We recently had some friends over for dinner and we got into a discussion about the songs we sing at church. The other couple are similar age and upbringing to us, kids about the same age, and we got into a conversation about the benefits of having hymns included in weekend worship.

One benefit we noted was that having hymns sung at church helps include the older generation. Songs that have been used in services for 80+ years are ingrained in our memories and there is notably more volume of those participating. The overall sense of strength of community tends to match the fullness of singing heard.

We discussed that choruses and modern worship songs do have their place but there seem to be so many to choose from. As with so many things in this day, there is simply too much content available. There are good and true songs and those particular songs do tend to last longer in rotation but with hymns there is an overall smaller group of songs to draw from, of ones that have lasted through the years. Choruses now have typical 5 year life span. One notable drawback to this is that there’s less lasting impact for kids growing up in church to have worshipful music internalized. Outside of Christmas hymns, there are few hymns that are repeated annually, let alone seasonally or more.

Having a core set of hymns is similar to having that core base of Bible verses you fall back on that you learned in your early years. Often passages of Scripture will bring on different meaning as you mature and recall them, as will hymns whose sentiments and depth of lyrics unfurl as you return to them through stages of life. A side note but poignant example would be how I enjoyed reading Calvin and Hobbes when I was young. It was such fun to share in the adventures and antics by that dynamic duo going through their books. Reading it now as a parent of kids who have come through the age Calvin is drawn as provides a completely different angle and appreciation for that comic.

The particular hymns that do get repeated and are well known have earned their popularity and longevity. The lyrics provide truths that are worth reiterating as they’re based on Scripture and God’s proven character. They include topics typically God centric versus what God/Scripture/church does for me. This is what worship should be: praise and acknoweldgement for who God is. It is fine to say what God’s done for me, but society now needs more direct praise of/for God and what He’s done for/in/with the community and through the ages. Making a point of remembering what God has done helps the church have hope for continued faithfulness and promises fulfilled.

There’s nothing quite like flipping through a well worn hymn book, perhaps even with notation from past musicians, relishing past favourites and discovering nuggets of musical praise that can resonate in our hearts.

Image by Patrick McKitrick from https://outreach.ca/Blog/Blog-Detail/articleid/790