The Hymns Of Our Faith And Why We Remember Them

Twice a month, five of us from our church go to the nursing homes and hold worship services. As much as I love teaching the youth, these nursing home services are one of the absolute highlights of my ministry. They are the sweetest people ever, and they're so appreciative that we're there to spend time with them. One of them is the building my mom lived in when she died, so that makes it even more important and special to my heart.

One of the most powerful things we see every service in a nursing home is the transformation that happens when the music starts playing. People who are quiet, unresponsive, agitated, or even asleep change dramatically when you play and sing God's music. They may not remember their families, where they are, or what day it is, but they remember the words to the hymns that impacted them.

Why are these hymns so powerful? Part of it is repetition - we love them, we listen to them, we grew up with them, we play them every week - so they're written on the very core of our being. 

The other part is the Scriptures that they're based on and rooted in. When the music we listen to connects our hearts with the heart of God's word, it will always, always have an impact. They root us and ground us in the very nature of the Lord, and that foundation stays with us for our entire lives.

Below I've listed 30 hymns of the faith and the Scriptures they are based on. Each one has a fascinating story of the authors, musicians, and congregations who brought them to life. I encourage you to study through these during the month of May, look up their stories, sing them, play them, have them on in the car and the house while you live your life this month. Take the time to learn and understand where our Christian music came from and why it's so important to our faith.
  1. Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty – Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8
  2. Amazing Grace – Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Chronicles 17:16–17
  3. Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Lamentations 3:22–23; James 1:17
  4. How Great Thou Art – Psalm 8:3–4; Romans 1:20
  5. It Is Well with My Soul – Psalm 46:1–3; Philippians 4:7
  6. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – Psalm 46
  7. Be Thou My Vision – Psalm 27:4; Proverbs 3:5–6
  8. Blessed Assurance – Hebrews 10:22; Romans 8:16
  9. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing – James 1:17; 1 Samuel 7:12
  10. Rock of Ages – Exodus 33:22; 1 Corinthians 10:4
  11. The Old Rugged Cross – Galatians 6:14; Philippians 2:8
  12. What a Friend We Have in Jesus – John 15:13–15; Philippians 4:6
  13. To God Be the Glory – Psalm 115:1; Revelation 5:12–13
  14. Crown Him with Many Crowns – Revelation 19:12; Philippians 2:9–11
  15. Fairest Lord Jesus – Psalm 45:2; Colossians 1:15–17
  16. All Creatures of Our God and King – Psalm 148; Daniel 3:57–88
  17. Jesus Paid It All – Isaiah 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21
  18. Nearer, My God, to Thee – Genesis 28:10–19
  19. I Surrender All – Romans 12:1; Luke 9:23
  20. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms – Deuteronomy 33:27
  21. Trust and Obey – John 14:15; Proverbs 3:5–6
  22. Just As I Am – John 6:37; Romans 5:8
  23. Take My Life and Let It Be – Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
  24. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – Exodus 13:21; Psalm 78:52–54
  25. In the Garden – John 20:14–16
  26. He Lives – Luke 24:5–6; Revelation 1:18
  27. Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling – Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 1:18
  28. O Worship the King – Psalm 104:1–2
  29. This Is My Father’s World – Psalm 24:1; Colossians 1:16
  30. Abide with Me – Luke 24:29; Psalm 23:4

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