Tag Archives: Hymnals

What every church leader needs to know about hymns and hymnals in the digital era

What every church leader needs to know about hymns and hymnals in the digital era

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Thanks, Kent — well done!

waytruthlifelove's avatarway truth life love

NEW MUSIC IS NOW BECOMING AVAILABLE TO THE AVERAGE CHURCH AT AN UNPRECEDENTED PACE. Simultaneously, music literacy is declining. Church leaders are often ill-equipped to discern between the various sources of music that may be infiltrating the church. Worship leaders may have competing agendas regarding worship styles, new songs to introduce, and favorite arrangements. Composers and song writers may now publish or self-publish instantaneously and your church can download digital music to print and project as well as play audibly. All of this can lead to confusion, impeded worship, and in the worst cases, division. The days of buying a hymnal and coasting for fifty years are over. Church leaders must become educated on trends and equip themselves to gracefully guide the church to filter the noise and select the best worship resources for their church culture and theology. This article attempts to aid toward that end, though it is…

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A collection of sacred music

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waytruthlifelove's avatarway truth life love

As a sacred music enthusiast, I have collected numerous compilations of music that has been sung in churches of Christ over the past 152 years. It is a joy to me to pour over the pages of these hymnals and to sing songs new and old. I have not listed every copy here, nor every variation. But I have largely adhered to an edited collection of major hymnals in the churches of Christ in the United States as compiled by Levi Sisemore. I also have collected various supplements, hymn story books, worship music instructional books and workbooks, and worship theology books which have served to edify greatly as I strive to serve in worship leading. I share this catalog for the enjoyment of other hymn enthusiasts.


1865     Christian Hymnbook (Alexander Campbell) – Digital only

1882     The Christian Hymnal* (American Christian Missionary Society) – Digital only

1882…

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Which Hymnal or Song Collection Should We Choose?

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Thanks, Tim! Very carefully considered and logical explanation!

singtothelordmusic's avatarGet them singing

hymnals
Selecting a hymnal or collection of songs for a congregation is not an easy task. Oh, it’s easy to grab a book with songs that I like, but choosing a hymnal for a congregation carries the daunting responsibility of providing a primary source of the spiritual language of the congregation, and a couple of generations to come. The average congregation changes hymnals far less often than its ministry staff, about once every 20-30 years. That’s a long time to be singing from a collection. All the more reason to choose wisely.
Our theology is shaped by the hymns we sing–for good or bad–and it should be as we “teach and admonish one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3.16). How often we hear the cross referenced in prayers and meditations as “that old rugged cross”, or someone refers to our “blessèd assurance” in Christ. In a well-edited collection…

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Song book content (1 of 2)

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An interesting post (one of several) by a fellow blogger and hymn enthusiast.

Brian Casey's avatarEarnestly Speaking

I’m calling this two-installment blog “Song book content” because its subjects, although they would typically be called “hymnals,” are more appropriately labelled “song books.”  The books that most churches use for “worship” content rarely consist primarily in hymns, so I’m not using the term “hymnal.”

First, we should define a few words, inasmuch as such definition is possible.

  1. Song. A song, simply put, has words and a melody.  (Purely instrumental music is not properly called “song.”)
  2. Gospel song. A gospel song, you might think has to do directly with the gospel message, i.e., the good news that Jesus came, died for mankind, and was raised.  However, in the U.S., the “gospel song” is generally understood to be a song other than a hymn, and other than a contemporary Christian song.  More specifically, gospel songs tend to predominate among church songs written during the 19th and the first half…

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A HYMN FOR TODAY – All Nations, Clap Your Hands

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A HYMN FOR TODAY

All nations, clap your hands;
Let shouts of triumph ring;
For mighty over all the lands
The LORD Most High is King.

Above our mighty foes
He gave us power to stand,
And as our heritage He chose
The goodly promised land.

With shouts ascends our King,
With trumpet’s stirring call;
Praise God, praise God; His praises sing,
For God is Lord of all.

O sing in joyful strains,
And make His glory known;
God over all the nations reigns,
And holy is His throne.

Our fathers’ God to own
The kings of earth draw nigh,
For none can save but God alone,
He is the LORD Most High.

SM (6.6.8.6) – arr. McNaugher’s Psalter (1912)
Psalm 47

Tune: SILVER STREET – Isaac Smith, 1770

#59 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 2012

A HYMN FOR TODAY – Purify Us

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A HYMN FOR TODAY

Purify Us

LORD, Restorer, Hand unseen,
Come and make Your priesthood clean;
Come refine our every part;
Purify us, thought and heart.

In our weakness and desire,
Melt us with Your cleansing fire;
Burn temptation from our minds;
Leave Your love and peace behind.

To complete us, Father, bless:
Make us gifts of righteousness,
Honored in the work we do,
Golden vessels fit for You.

7.7.7.7 – M.W. Bassford, 2001

Tune – C.E. Couchman, 2001

#576 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spritual Songs, 2012

PURIFY US calls upon God to cleanse His people. Only after He burns away the impurities that mar their makeup can they be suitable for honorable roles in His service. (Malachi 3:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:20-21)

A HYMN FOR TODAY – Let Us, With a Gladsome Mind

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A HYMN FOR TODAY

Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the LORD, for He is kind.
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us blaze His name abroad,
For of gods He is the God.
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

He with all commanding might
Filled the new-made world with light.
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

All things living He doth feed;
His full hand supplies their need.
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us then, with gladsome mind,
Praise the LORD, for He is kind.
For His mercies shall endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

7.7.7.7 – John Milton, 1623

From Psalm 136:1-9, 25-26

Tune: MONKLAND – Monk’s Parish Choir, 1850 (alt. 2011)

#12 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 2012

A HYMN FOR TODAY – Praise to the LORD, the Almighty

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A HYMN FOR TODAY

Praise to the LORD, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the LORD, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how all thy longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the LORD, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the LORD; O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.
Let the amen sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him.

14.14.4.7.8 –  Joachim Neander, 1680
tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1863

Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN – Stralsund Gesangbuch, 1665

arr. William Sterndale Bennett, 1864)

#104 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 2012

A HYMN FOR TODAY – Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

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A HYMN FOR TODAY

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise Him for His grace and favor
To our fathers in distress.
Praise Him still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious in His faithfulness.

Fatherlike He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows.
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore Him,
As you see Him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before Him,
All who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

8.7.8.7 – Henry F. Lyte, 1834
From Psalm 103:1-8, 13-14, 20-22

Tune: REGENT SQUARE – Henry T. Smart, 1867 alt.

#43 in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 2012

Show and Tell: A Mini-Exhibit in Stone-Campbell Hymnody…reblogged from ACU Special Collections

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mac's avatareScriptorium

We had a special treat a few days ago when several participants in the TX Singing School visited Special Collections for a tour.  In response to their request, I pulled several hymnals and related artifacts for a brief show and tell.  We thought you’d like to see the pictures.

Elias Smith, A Collection of Hymns, for the Use of Christians. Boston: Manning and Loring [1804].

Elias Smith, A Collection of Hymns, 1804

more at ACU Special Collections blog here.

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