I’m really appreciating this series of posts by Tim Challies on hymn stories.
I like hearing about the stories behind each hymnwriter. I’m noticing that many of these songs were written by pastors who desired their church family to understand and apply God’s truths into their lives. Here’s hoping more will do the same in our generation!
The hymns that Tim’s reviewed so far:
My Jesus I Love Thee – Willam Ralph Featherston
How Firm A Foundation – R. Keene
Here’s a few other helpful online sources I’ve used when researching hymn stories (for example, for hymn sings at our church):
- Hymnary.org – run by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and other research groups (for example, here’s the person page for Henry Lyte)
- Cyberhymnal – good for a quick summary. Here’s their entry on John Newton.
- Indelible Grace – They don’t just retune hymns creatively. Kevin Twit, IG Founder and RUF Belmont minister, has also penned several essay-length papers around some authors. A helpful resource particularly for lesser-known writers like Anne Steele, Horatius Bonar and others.
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