"The druggist and a violinist were in the drugstore" may sound like the attempt to start a joke or funny story, but it was the setting that brought about the hymn The Sweet By and By.  The druggist, Samuel Bennett, was listening to his friend, Joseph Webster, the violinist, pour out his troubles.  Was it simply a passing comment by Webster that things would be all right in the by and by?  Regardless, it inspired Bennett's thoughts.  And, such a hope as this can inspire us that regardless our...

A painting and a poem sparked a hymn.  William How studied Holman Hunt's painting The Light of the World, and later read from Jean Ingelow's poem Brothers and a Sermon.  These so moved him that he was able to pen O Jesus, Thou Art Standing.  We often use Revelation 3:20 as an evangelistic or witnessing tool when speaking to someone about committing their life to Christ.  That verse is contained in the admonition to the church at Laodicea concerning their lukewarm commitment to Jesus.  While...

When we think of breaking the bread of life, do we think of focusing on Jesus or opening our Bible or the physical bread Jesus gave the crowds?  Such were the choices that Mary A. Lathbury had when she began to contemplate the thoughts that eventually became Break Thou the Bread of Life.  How often do we go to the Bible as our source of sustenance or uplifting or inspiration?  Jeremiah 15:16 tells us, "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight...." (NIV)  And...

We see so often that difficulties in life lead Christ's followers to more closely depend on Jesus in their situation and in their life.  This was the case with Reverend George Bennard and the penning of The Old Rugged Cross.  Although he received inspiration for the hymn, he waited and later, difficult circumstances caused him to focus on Christ and the hymn flowed.  We may be going through difficult times in our lives but we know that we have a Savior who will bring us through.  In addition,...

Inspiration is found in many ways.  While a beautiful scene or magnificent church may inspire a song, a song can inspire an idea or move people to action.  The Church in the Wildwood, also commonly known as The Little Brown Church in the Vale, by William S. Pitts was such a song.  Through a series of events, his song was used to popularize the building of The Little Brown Church in the Vale, which was dedicated in 1864 and is still active today.  Where do we get our inspiration?  Does that...

William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), the English poet and lawyer, did not have an easy life.  He fought bouts of insanity most of his life, including a stay in an asylum.  His brother was instrumental in his conversion to following Christ.  The friendship of the Reverend John Newton (Amazing Grace), and their collaborative effort on the hymnal Olney Hymns buoyed him. Often, questions are asked as to why God acts in certain ways or allows certain events/catastrophes to occur in our lives....

Don't you love it when you do something and your first try is outstanding?  Such was the case with Ray Palmer when he wrote My Faith Looks Up to Thee.  Palmer, however, wasn't trying to create a great hymn, or necessarily pen a hymn at all.  He was so taken with Christ's grace and love that he was filled with deepest emotion and the words flowed.  You can feel the deep sense of worship as you read or sing the words and can have assurance that Christ will be beside you regardless the ebb and...

We generally think of the hymn I Need Thee Every Hour as something to help us in time of need or distress.  And, rightfully, it does provide comfort as we call on the Jesus.  Have you thought of it as simply of time of worship and sensing God's nearness and presence?  It was in this manner that Annie Sherwood Hawks felt consumed by the presence of the Lord and penned this hymn.  Whether we use it as worship of Jesus or call on Him in times of trouble, it blesses us and He is with us. Article...

We often desire that our lives be lived without pain or discomfort. When it comes to us, is our reaction to rail against and question God for those trials? Anne Steele’s life was one that had significant pain and loss. She poured out her grief in her hymns and poems and remained steadfast in her faith in her heavenly Father. One such hymn that can buoy us up in time of trial is this one, Father, Whate’er of Earthly Bliss, even expressing to the point of being free of murmuring. Paul...

The wild and antagonistic actions of young men are nothing new.  When the reckless, young Robert Robinson heard the "prediction" of a drunken gypsy, it  haunted him and eventually led him to commit himself to Jesus Christ.  Later, he penned this spiritual autobiography, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, his most popular hymn.  Even today, this hymn enjoys a great popularity.  Many arrangements of it can be found, including those of well-known artists.  It is soul-stirring and many versions...

The daughter of evangelist Dr. Walter Palmer, Phoebe Knapp showed unusual musical talent early in her life.  When she composed the tune that became Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine, Fanny Crosby gladly provided the lyrics that made this uplifting song one of hope and blessing to Christians all over.  It is not only her songwriting that blessed so many, Phoebe was generous of heart and contributed much to charity and philanthropic work.  Her life was a blessing to many in many ways. Article...

If you were to open a hymnal and not find multiple hymns by Isaac Watts, you might question if you were actually holding a hymnal. His desire to worship God and put it in a form that not only glorified God but was pleasing to the ear and soul, resulted in a tremendous number of hymns that bless us to this day. His work is said to have “almost single-handedly changed the congregational singing habits of English-speaking Christendom.” Merely hearing the titles of so many of his hymns will start...

If you have attended or seen a Billy Graham crusade meeting, you have heard this hymn, Just as I Am.  It significantly predates anything Billy Graham did and has blessed people since Charlotte Elliott penned the poem.  More than a blessing, it is something of an autobiography for her.  Angry at God, she lashed out at those around her, spouting her bitterness on them.  When talking with Dr. Cesar Malan, she found she needed to come to Jesus just as she was at that moment.  It changed her life...

Pastor's wives do a tremendous number of things to support their husband's ministry.  Imagine being asked to write a poem related to Sunday's upcoming sermon.  This is what was asked of Cecil Frances Alexander, already a notable poet, and from her pen we have Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult.  While this poem was written in 1852, its words beckon us today in the midst of the cacophony of cultural upheaval, social strife, wars, political turmoil, entertainment and social media distraction, and...

The number of poems, hymns, and gospel songs Fanny J. Crosby wrote is breathtaking.  This hymn, Rescue the Perishing, is one of her finest.  From her work with those who were down and out in the Bowery of New York City, came the inspiration for this hymn.  Lives were changed when they were committed to Christ through the work of the rescue missions.  And, though blind, Fanny was able to "see" many lives rescued by Jesus. Article taken from Living Stories of Famous Hymns by Ernest K. Emurian....

When there is tempest in our lives, how do we respond and react to it?  Are we like Mary Ann Baker and question what a "God of love" is doing in our lives?  How often do the tragedies of life toss us around like the small fishing boats in the storm on the Sea of Galilee?  And worse still, do we think that Jesus is asleep and unaware of what is happening?  Such was the case with Mary Ann after the loss of her brother.  The love of God through Jesus eventually calmed the storm in her life.  She...

How could such a brilliant man as Sir John Bowring (fluent in 22 languages and conversant in many more) pen the beautiful hymn In the Cross of Christ I Glory and still be known as the most unpopular governor Hong Kong ever had?  Bowring's accomplishments were many and in his younger days, this follower of Christ gave us many wonderful hymns.  Sadly, as too often happens in positions of political power, he took his eyes off Christ and was corrupted by that power.  Nonetheless, we are blessed...

"I am glad to trust the Lord when it will cost me something."  These are the words of Horatio G. Spafford, author of It Is Well With My Soul.  There was indeed a cost to him, particularly in the loss of his children to a tragedy at sea.  Despite his difficulties and setbacks, he removed steadfast in his faith.  His trust in the Lord is inspirational to us and produced this moving and comforting hymn.  "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the...

Nations founded on or embracing Christian values will likely stray from those values as time goes on.  This is particularly true when one of the seven deadly sins, pride, creeps into the national consciousness.  Such was the case in 1897, the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, when the great poet, Rudyard Kipling, wrote God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.  Though not a particularly religious man, Kipling called on his countrymen to remember Who it was that made England great; "Lest we...

We are saddened when we must leave family or friends and be geographically distant from them. This is particularly true of our Christian family, especially when a pastor in good standing is called elsewhere. Such was the case with John Fawcett who believed he was called to leave Wainsgate, England, and take a different pastorate in London. The congregation was loath to see him go and when he changed his mind, one of the benefits was Fawcett’s penning of this hymn, Blest Be the Tie That Binds....

Thomas O. Chisholm's yearning for more Christlikeness gave us the words of this hymn, O to Be Like Thee.  It was composer William J. Kirkpatrick who set the words to music to complete a hymn of longing and commitment.  Kirkpatrick published more than one hundred collections of hymns and his love for Christ resulted in composing many popular hymns.  Between Chisholm and Kirkpatrick, many beautiful hymns resonate in our hearts. Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert...

Timeless, authorless songs that are soulful and full of yearning is an apt description of the Negro spirituals that were born of slavery.  The Jubilee Singers of Fisk University, named for the biblical year of Jubilee when slaves were liberated as found in Leviticus 25, helped bring these spirituals to America and the world.  One of the favorites they brought out is this song, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright ©...

If you had to create a poem and turn it into lyrics but didn't know how to make that transition, could you do it?  Thomas O. Chisholm was able to adapt by having his daughter hum the melody over and over, turning a children's song into a hymn of redemption and dedication, Living for Jesus.  Chisholm had poor health and limited formal education, but his poetry was notable and many poems were turned into hymns that still bless us today. Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2...

The holiday season that encompasses Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year is a time where many of us hold or attend family events, special activities, and parties, or in other words, we gather.  This hymn, We Gather Together, is often thought of and sung at Thanksgiving services.  It originated, however, from circumstances that did not create thanksgiving but were embroiled in strife, and sadly, that being religious strife.  It is a Dutch song that celebrates freedom from Spain and the...

What do a French wine merchant, a penniless Parisian, and a liberal clergyman have in common?  One of Christianity's holiest hymns about the birth of Jesus.  O Holy Night came to us from the French wine merchant, Placide Clappeau, who wrote poetry as a hobby.  Adolphe Charles Adam provided the music to "Christian Midnight" and when it was eventually translated into English, we are lifted in praise and worship to O Holy Night.  It seems that almost every artist who does a Christmas album...