As a child I often attended Sunday services at my Grandmothers church in the backwoods and hills of a little town up the road from my own. The little white church that sat on the hill was filled with those seeking the word of the lord amongst those they'd known all their lives. I would sit next to my Grandma, swinging my legs, running my fingers along the grooves etched in the pews, and trying my best to understand what was being said. When it came time for the final hymn I would pay close attention, fingers crossed, hanging on the pastors every word until he told us what page to turn to i our hymnals. "Please be page 155...155....Pleeaaaassse...." I would think. That was the page, He Lives, was on and it was my absolute favorite. It was the first song I'd heard about God that described Jesus as living. The first time I could understand that He is real, that He is alive, and that He walks along life with us. Made me feel like singing then and now.
Please find below my list of the top ten hymns that I believe have the same effect.
10. How Great Thou Art- Carl G Boberg & Arthur Hughes
Sample Lyrics:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Corresponding Bible Verse: Psalms 145:3. You are wonderful, LORD, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.
9. Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing- Robert Robinson
Sample Lyrics:
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Hebrews 4:16 -Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
8.Blessed Assurance - Franny J. Crosby
Sample Lyrics:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation purchase of God, Born of His Spirit washed in His Blood.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Hebrews 10:22-23- Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
7. It Is Well- Horatio G. Spafford
Sample Lyrics:
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Isaiah 66:12 - For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees.
6. Amazing Grace- John Newton
Sample Lyrics:
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Acts 4:33 -And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
5. Great Is Thy Faithfulness- Thomas Chisolm & William Runyan
Sample Lyrics:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 -The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
4. What A Friend We Have In Jesus-Joseph Scriven
Sample Lyrics:
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Proverbs 18:24- A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
3. His Eye Is On The Sparrow- Civilla D. Martin
Sample Lyrics:
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Corresponding Bible Verse: John 14:1- Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in Me.
2. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee- Henry Van Dyke
Sample Lyrics:
Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Philippians 4:4-5- Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
1. He Lives (I Serve A Risen Savior)- Alfred Ackley
Sample Lyrics:
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
Corresponding Bible Verse: Galatians 2:20- I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Final Thoughts
I love to go to church and raise my hands high in the air as I sing praise. I know the words to almost all of the contemporary christian songs that our worship team sings so beautifully every week. The words are printed on the screen overhead and, around the large auditorium we use for church services, members clap along with the music. It is beautiful and inspiring, but sometimes, every once in awhile, I long to be seated in that knarled, old pew alongside my Grandmother, flipping the pages of my hymnal frantically until I found my page. There was something about that Hymn that made it feel like it was just for me. And in that quiet old church on the hill, long ago, I met God through that song. I'm so glad I was introduced to Him in that way, and it is my hop that the songs listed above could provide the same experience.
God Bless You, thank you for reading.
