Hymns for the heart

OUR HYMN WRITERS AND THEIR HYMNS
By Faith Cook
Evangelical Press. 384 pages. £11.99
ISBN 978 1 783 971 480

There aren’t many books I’ve enjoyed so much that I’ve read twice, but Our Hymn Writers and Their Hymns is one of them.

Faith Cook does a (typically) wonderful job of telling the stories behind some of the most famous hymns, and helps us appreciate the history and tradition of Christian singing. Here are a few reflections that I hope might encourage you to pick up a copy.

Writing songs is a pastoral task

One thing all these great hymnwriters had in common was a pastoral heart. Whether pastoring congregations or writing simple songs for children, their hymns were for the people, designed to lift hearts and minds to Christ. There is more of an industry around worship music today than in previous generations, but the need for songs which pastor people remains; the example and fruits of those who’ve gone before us remain a precious means of caring for our church families.

We can sing through the storm

Many of these writers had turbulent lives, and suffered much. No spoilers here: but suffice to say that those hard times consistently drove them to Christ and produced some of the finest hymns in the English language. Trials brought fresh experience of God’s grace, which in turn led to fresh expressions of His praise. Through their painful experience, God has given us words to sing in our storms, too.

Christian experience is important

Following on from that, it’s striking how regularly the great hymns speak to – even command – our affections, much as the Scriptures themselves do (Phil. 4:4 et al). The constant emphasis is rich, gospel truth aimed at the heart for the purpose of stirring our affections, leading to faithful Christian living.

Affections driven by the truth aren’t something to be feared, but considered an important part of our discipleship.

Our Hymnwriters And Their Hymns will encourage you with a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, and enliven your experience of singing the rich inheritance they have left us in their hymns.