Teaching and Admonishing

What We Learn From

Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Colossians 3:16

Why Study Hymns?

• Making melody in our heart involves understanding what we sing (Eph. 5:19)

• Teaching and admonishing involves understanding what we sing (Col. 3:16)

• New converts or children may not understand the words and phrases of our hymns

Why Study Hymns?

• Understanding leads to edification, ignorance leads to disorder and confusion (1 Cor. 14)

• Songs, like Scripture (Acts 8:30), are more meaningful when we understand what we are reading

Why Study Hymns?

• We do not speak today in the Old English that was often used to compose hymns

• Understanding something about the composer of a hymn can illustrate the meaning of that hymn

• Bible words and phrases used in hymns must be understood

When Can We Study Hymns?

• Sermon in song

• A Wednesday night talk

• Around the Lord’s table

• Song leader can briefly explain words or phrases before each song

When Can We Study Hymns?

• Singing service

• Bible class setting

• Singing at home

Tools For Hymn Study

• To Study the English Words:

– a good Webster’s English dictionary (including etymology)

– CyberHymnal.org (several resources)

• To Study Bible words and phrases: a good Bible concordance (Bible software for computer)

Tools For Hymn Study

• To Study the Composer: good sources for hymn origins

– “Then Sings My Soul,” Robert J. Morgan

– “A Song is Born,” Robert J. Taylor

– “A Hymn Is Born,” Clint Bonner

– CyberHymnal.org

Six Areas of Hymn Study

• Songs with words defined

• Songs based on scriptures

• Songs with misapplied scriptures

• Songs with incorrect messages

• Songs that are misapplied

• Songs written under special circumstances

Songs with Words Defined

• He Leadeth Me– “fraught” = filled

– “bowers” = dwelling, retreat, shelter, arbor

• I Know Whom I Have Believed– “vale” = valley, a low point

• Wonderful Love of Jesus– “lays” = simple poem, balled, melody, song

– “balm” = aromatic, soothing ointment

Songs with Words Defined• Nearer, Still Nearer

– “haven” = harbor, port, place of safety

– “pomp” = vain show, display

• We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes– “bade” = past tense of “bid” (invite)

– “succor” = relief, aid, help

• Beautiful Isle– “repining” = discontent, longing for something

– “guerdon” = reward, recompense

– “rifted” = cracked, separated, parted

– “isle” = island

Songs Based on Scriptures• On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand

(Ex. 15; Rev. 15:3)

• Ivory Palaces (Psa. 45:6-8)

• Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet (Isa. 1:18)

• Flee As A Bird to Your Mountain (Psa. 11:1)

Songs Based on Scriptures• Some Day The Silver Cord Will Break

(Eccl. 12:1-6)

• We Have An Anchor (Heb. 6:18-19)

• In the Land of Fadeless Day (Rev. 21:16,21)

• Beulah Land (Isa. 62:1-5)

Songs with Misapplied Scriptures

• Prepare to Meet Thy God (based on Amos 4:12 referring to Israel sentenced to judgment, not getting prepared for judgment)

• Jesus Is Coming Soon (second verse misapplies Matthew 24)

Songs with Incorrect Messages

• Christ Receiveth the Sinful Men (“satisfied its last demand”)

• Rock of Ages (“Be of sin the double cure…”)

Songs That Are Misapplied

• Break Thou the Bread of Life (based on John 6, but often used for the Lord’s supper)

• Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (refers to our attitude of heart, not standing up)

Songs Written Under Special Circumstances

• “My Jesus, I Love Thee” was written by a sixteen-year old boy

• “Work, For The Night Is Coming” was written by an eighteen-year old girl

Songs Written Under Special Circumstances

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915). Born: March 24, 1820, Put nam Coun ty, New York. Died: February 12, 1915, Bridge port, Connecticut. Buried: Bridge port, Connecticut.

Was probably the most prolific hymnist in history. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. About her blind ness, she said:

It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.

In her lifetime, Fanny Crosby was one of the best known women in the United States. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work.

Songs Written Under Special Circumstances

Consider these songs written by the blind Fanny J. Crosby…

• All the Way My Savior Leads Me

• Close To Thee

• Saved By Grace