The True Story of “The Love of God” is Greater Far
Tracing a story back to its source.
In the twentieth century, Lehman was given the third verse of “The Love of God” first as an act of grace, communicated globally and over centuries, not last as an instant and focused deus ex machina to his initial efforts. He held onto that third verse like a diamond in the rough. Then, when it was time,... Continue Reading
The Psalms’ Quiet Case for Musical Diversity
Music does not sit still. It cannot. It’s always slowly changing and moving.
Essentially, the Psalms are evidence that the songbook of the people of God was one that originally contained a rich diversity of musical styles. We can know this because of the nature of music and because of the history and context of the Psalms themselves. Apparently, God ordained that his people, for centuries, sing diverse... Continue Reading
The Untold Story behind the Hymn ‘Man of Sorrows’
May God grant us the same resolve to point others to the One whose name is above every name.
“Man of Sorrows” was the last hymn Ira Sankey ever heard Bliss sing. Bliss’s name is on the top left and right of this hymn. The words and the tune came from him. The focus, however, is entirely on Jesus. A local ministry recently gifted me a book—Man of Sorrows, King of Glory: What... Continue Reading
Song Lyrics Getting Simpler, More Repetitive, Angry and Self-Obsessed—Study
Researchers analysed the words in more than 12,000 English-language songs across several genres from 1980 to 2020.
For the study in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers looked at the emotions expressed in lyrics, how many different and complicated words were used, and how often they were repeated. “Across all genres, lyrics had a tendency to become more simple and more repetitive,” Zangerle summarised. The results also confirmed previous research which had... Continue Reading
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken
Finding Joy Amidst Suffering & Persecution
Henry Lyte understood (rightly) the believer to be a pilgrim in this world—not belonging to the world or the things in it. He also understood that, while we are in the world, we have a mission, a purpose, and a chief end. But, one day, that mission will come to an end. One day, the... Continue Reading
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
This hymn traces the themes of Israel's exodus to the eschatological, or final, exodus that was to begin with the birth of the Messiah.
In the third verse of our hymn, given what appears in the first two verses, Christ’s redemption is cast in terms of the eschatological, or final, exodus. It is no longer the exodus from the tyranny of Pharaoh, nor is it the exodus from Babylon, that appears. Rather, Jesus brings an exodus from the oppressive... Continue Reading
Hark the Herald: Deep Truths Embedded in a Simple Carol
Alluding to John 1, Wesley teaches the incarnation: God became man and lived among humankind.
In these short stanzas, Wesley teaches rich truths about the person of Christ (Christology) and salvation (soteriology). The composition of this hymn follows the inspired guidelines of Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace... Continue Reading
Praise Him, All Creatures Here Below
The Story of Thomas Ken's Doxology
In 1674, Ken published A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College. In it, he gave instructions for the devotional use of a series of his new compositions of Morning and Evening Hymns, including “Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun” and “Glory to Thee, My God, this Night.” What we now... Continue Reading
Pastoral Oversight and the Musical Ministry of the Church
Pastors are responsible to keep the lyrical diet of the church biblically faithful.
On a Sunday, the pastors are feeding souls with good songs. They are also responsible for keeping the songs biblically balanced. Does the church sing too many songs about God’s grace and nothing of God’s justice? Or is there too much wrath and no mercy? Are the songs all joy and no lament, or all... Continue Reading
Christmas Songs: Mary’s Song
Mary’s rich and poetic words have echoed through the generations.
As you listen to her words, listen to her words not just as a peasant girl, but a girl growing up under the political oppression of the Roman Empire, a girl whose grandparents and parents longed for the freeing of Israel and for the coming Messiah, the King who would rightfully restore Israel.[viii] Mary’s song... Continue Reading
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