An Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing

I like the modern songs of worship. The wave-your-arms-in-the-air or pump-your-fist exciting music. The clap-in-time and hoot-and-holler-at-the-end type of music.

But there’s nothing that can beat the old-fashioned hymns, tried by generations of believers, refined through decades (even centuries) of worshipers.

There’s something about knowing that you are joining a host of saints before you, singing an old chorus. There’s something about meditating on the same words by which some predecessor lived and died.

You don’t need to be in a packed auditorium when you’re singing a hymn. Even if it’s just you in your car on the way home from work in Grand Island, you know you’re joining a community of believers.

Also, there’s nothing like going through a set of old hymns to awaken one’s mind to doctrine.

To remind us of our weakness in spiritual battles–and Christ’s strength on our behalf:

“Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right man by our side
The man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth by name
From age to age the same
And He must win the battle”
~Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

The glory of sins removed:

“My sin–oh the bliss of this glorious thought–
My sin, not in part but the whole
Was nailed to the cross
and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord, oh my soul”
~H.G. Spafford, “It is Well with my Soul”

The eternal hope of Christ’s righteousness:

“When He shall come with trumpet sound
O, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne.”
~Edward Mote, “The Solid Rock”

The great sacrifice of Christ on our behalf:

“Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in
When Christ, the Mighty Maker, died
For man the creature’s sin”
~Isaac Watts, “At the Cross”

The promise of glorification:

“Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power
‘Til all the ransomed church of God
Be saved to sin no more.”
~William Cowper, “There is a fountain”

The sovereignty of God over nature:

“That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet”
~Malthie D. Babcock, “This is my Father’s World”

God’s goal to make us like Christ:

“Come Desire of Nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed
Bruise in us the serpent’s head
Adam’s likeness now efface
Stamp Thine image in its place
Second Adam from above
Reinstate us in Thy love.”
~Charles Wesley, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

The sacrifice that motivates my holiness:

“For Thee all the follies of sin I resign…
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree…”
~Anonymous, “My Jesus, I love Thee”

And then a rainbow rises above the road and in raptures of delight, I sing all the more.

“This is my Father’s world
He shines in all that’s fair
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass
He speaks to me everywhere.”
~Malthie D. Babcock, “This is My Father’s World”