HYMNS
There are few creations powerful as a hymn
It’s amazing how they live inside
You harbor and cherish them
I can’t recall the last time I heard that sacred song
We’d raised it so much, long ago
Lyrics rich, and long
How it flowed so easily, today, I can’t believe
I guess they were deeply planted, and a part of me
I still remember “Stand; turn in your hymnals, please…”
Every line inspired; centered, pointed heavenly
To know that they’re still ringing, makes my faint heart smile
Singing every single stanza just might take a while
Is it me? Does each subsequent line surpass the first?
Like a drink of sacred poetry to quench the thirst
A hymn is always relevant; will never die
In any search for what is fitting, there’s a reason why
There’s always one, among the thousands, that will apply
Be the need to cheer, to comfort, or to magnify.
The following is my response to someone who said, “A hymn is not a worship song.”
That's the danger of putting things in boxes and categories. Good stuff gets lost. That's also the danger of not teaching hymns (or Reading comprehension, grammar, poetry, principles of speech, composition, etc., but that's for another rant.). That's the danger of not hearing hymns played or sung well; or not making sure music ministry leadership isn't too biased, lazy, misinformed, enamored with what's happening in the industry to tackle a hymn, or more concerned with trends, fashion, applause, and beats, than devotion to God.
Botch a hymn, and any little kid will think it's awful and boring.
When I was a kid, our ENTIRE church service was comprised of hymns; each chosen for different segments of the service, but ALL God-centered. No one was in a hurry, so we sang ALL of the verses. Some of those 3rd and 4th stanzas are the ones that will fix your life! lol...
You couldn't help but see the beauty, poetry, and devotion in a hymn.
When "praise and worship” became an entertainment genre, and a music awards show category, we forgot the meanings of the actual terms, and kicked hymns to the curb.
Congregational singing suffered as a result of color coordinated, choreographed praise teams.
If you didn't listen to the radio, you were out of luck. Choirs suffered too, as more and more singers felt pointless and exhausted trying to be heard over 5-10 miked singers.
New isn't always better or relevant. There are a slew of hymns, from the red to the green to the brown and beige books, in every denomination, that demonstrate admiration, reverence for, and great devotion to God.
One just has to pick up the book, open it, look at the words, then put those hymnals back in those empty racks in the back of the pews—and keep them there.
vrwc2023
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