10 Hymns We Wish We Could Sing in Church Again

Worship leaders choose the first song of the church service to help the congregation set aside the cares of the week and turn their hearts to God. These selections are often called hymns of invitation, or a call to worship. 

1. When Morning Gilds the Skies

This upbeat hymn reminds us of several psalms in the Bible. These praise psalms begin and end with the declaration, “Praise the Lord!” In the same way, “When Morning Gilds the Skies” repeats glory for Jesus Christ at the end of each verse. 

An unknown German author penned the words to this song sometime prior to 1828. Edward Caswall translated the words to English and published the hymn with his poem collection in 1858. Each verse highlights a way that Jesus Christ is to be praised. From the morning until evening with all we do, we declare His glory. All nature joins in praising Jesus. Even in the face of death, we honor Him because we know the praise of Christ will be a hallmark of heaven.

2. All Creatures of Our God and King

Saint Francis of Assisi wrote this joy-filled hymn in 1225 when he knew his time on earth was short. His lyrics remind us that all nature has a voice to praise God, including sun, moon, stars, wind, and clouds. If nature must declare the glory of our God and King, how much more should the ones made in His image? The song says our praise for God includes forgiving others, casting our cares on Him, and humbling ourselves.

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At the tender age of twenty, Robert Robinson went to a church service to scoff at believers. By the time he walked out of the meeting, the generous grace of Jesus had rescued his sinful heart. Three years later in 1758, he penned the lines of this hymn that overflows with themes of grace.

Robinson begins by stating only God can teach our hearts to praise Him as He deserves. Praise is more than mere words. The words must flow from an awareness of God’s unchanging love.

In the second verse, Robinson wrote, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” The Ebenezer is a stone that Samuel erected to commemorate the Lord’s rescue of His people in the Old Testament. 

“Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means ‘the stone of help’), for he said, ‘Up to this point the Lord has helped us!’” (1 Samuel 7:12).

At the end of this hymn, worshipers offer their hearts to God for safekeeping.

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After singing hymns that set our hearts on worship, we often move to songs that acknowledge the magnificence of God’s character. These hymns declare truth based on biblical text.

4. O Love of God, How Strong and True

Horatius Bonar, a prolific hymn author from England, wrote this song in 1861. All the verses focus on the power of God’s love. Though observable in nature, God’s love is also incomprehensible to finite human minds. His love heals, comforts, and blesses. We can best understand and receive His love through the sacrifice of Jesus, God with us. Love also provides protection and rest. Ultimately, God’s love makes Him worthy of all our praise.

5. O Worship the King

Robert Grant wrote this hymn from his government post in India in 1833. A British subject, he spent most of his career in politics and was knighted in 1834. The creation account in Genesis and Psalm 104 inspired the lyrics for “O Worship the King.”

Most of the stanzas magnify the names of God and tell of His wonderful deeds. In the fourth verse, Grant contrasts frail people with Mighty God to show how He brings us into relationship with Him as “Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.”

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When Thomas O. Chisholm read the book of Lamentations, he was not experiencing any dire circumstances. Yet he identified with the anguish of Jeremiah, the writer of this Scripture. Two verses inspired Chisholm to write this iconic hymn.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Chisholm was an editor of a local paper before he became a Christian at the age of twenty-six. A few years later, he entered the ministry and continued to write. He adamantly avoided shallow sentimentality and strove to include God’s Word in everything he wrote. 

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” contains dozens of Scripture references to capture the essence of God, our Promise Keeper. In vivid imagery, Chisholm describes God’s unchanging nature and His faithful provision for our needs. He points to the rhythms of nature as proof of God’s character. He also cites the forgiveness that brings peace with God as well as the presence of the Holy Spirit to give us hope today and forever.

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Also called songs of response, these hymns give Christians an opportunity to meditate on God through His Word and return adoration, commitment, and offering to Him. 

7. I Need Thee Every Hour

Annie S. Hawks, a housewife, wrote this hymn in 1872. Her pastor, Robert Lowry, wrote the refrain. The song’s theme reminds us of our constant need to depend upon God. 

Each stanza addresses a different way we should rely on the Lord. We need His peace and rescue from the power of temptation. In every circumstance — joy or pain — we crave His presence. Ultimately, the song leads us to submit ourselves to God’s will. Without dependence and submission to God, our lives are meaningless.

8. Take My Life and Let It Be

This hymn from 1874 emphasizes the decision to offer our entire lives for God’s service. The author, Frances R. Havergal, urges us to consecrate, or declare sacred, everything we have. The song tells us all we own — time, physical strength, words, possessions, intellect, and will — can be consecrated to God. Our entire existence comes from Him, so we wholly dedicate ourselves to Him. 

Havergal wrote this hymn after a visit to a family who did not know the Lord as Savior. Before going, she prayed for their salvation. By the end of her time with them, God answered her prayer. In joy, she renewed her own commitment to Him and wrote the stanzas of this hymn. To act on her commitment, she also gave all her jewelry to the Church Mission Society.

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When we sing this hymn, written in 1862, we extol the virtues of Jesus that bind our hearts to Him. His extreme love for us initiated our love for Him. We love Him because of His redeeming sacrifice at Calvary. Each verse deepens our commitment to adore Jesus through every circumstance on earth and looks into the future time when we’ll continue to love Him in heaven.

Some attribute this time-tested hymn to William R. Featherston, a sixteen-year-old from Canada. Others say James H. Duffell, who worked as an iron smelter in England, penned the words. Either way, Jesus is the object of our adoration and affection when we sing this song.

One Final Hymn

The men and women who wrote the rich lyrics of the hymns came from all walks of life. Many were lay people — those working in the home or in ordinary jobs. Most have names we would not recognize as pillars of the faith in church history. God inspired all these faithful people to pen words to help His Church worship Him throughout the ages.

Have you noticed the old hymns incorporate the Word of God throughout every line? This content paired with beautiful, figurative language brings depth of knowledge and application to our hearts and minds as we sing.

The central focus of all songs should be God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The final hymn to make our list adores Jesus and His chosen instrument of salvation — the cross.

RELATED PODCAST: If you attend church regularly, you may notice that most (if not all) of the songs we sing are happy or uplifting. But that isn't necessarily the case when you look at the book of Psalms, which is an ancient songbook that was used by the people of Israel.

10. The Old Rugged Cross

George Bennard began to write this hymn in 1912, and Charles H. Gabriel helped him to complete it in 1913. The song immediately became popular, but it was not widely included in church hymnals until decades later. Some claimed the authors placed too much focus on the cross and not enough on Christ. But Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). As Jesus’ followers, we are privileged to imitate Him as we bear our cross each day.

Despite the title, “The Old Rugged Cross” points our hearts to Jesus, the “dear Lamb of God.” The lyrics remind us to be grateful for the suffering Jesus endured for our salvation and to relish the hope of eternity spent with Him.

Get to Know God through Hymns

I hope you have included hymns in your worship playlist. If you prefer, look for old hymns that have been set to more modern music while maintaining the integrity of the rich lyrics. As you meditate on the verses drawn straight from the Bible, you will know God better and trust Him more. 

Do you have any favorites you would add to my list of hymns to sing in church again?

Historical information about these hymns came from Hymnary.org: https://hymnary.org/

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