Hymns

(written 2/15/11)

I know some people will laugh when they hear me say this, but I never really truly understood the power of hymns. I knew that hymns were timeless and I knew that hymns were old. I knew that a lot of fast contemporary songs are just sped up and borrowed hymns. I don't think anyone can convince someone else of the efficacy of a good hymn. But what I learned a couple months ago is that if you really want to focus on the Lord, a hymn can help you get to the plain and unmodified truth of what the Bible teaches. My issue with some modern music is that if you listen closely the main subject of the lyric is "me": my problem, my issues, my struggle, my desire. Yes God still replies to those songs and above all else it is great to pursue Him. But if you just need to focus on God, for being God. Not with all the adjectives saying you worship God but in actual action...you need a hymn. Instead of singing to worship You I live how about just worshiping Him?

And I think that's what rings to true about a good hymn to me. My whole life I've always known that actions speak louder than words. As an English minor I struggle to create this in my own writing, but it's so much more effective to just do the thing than describe it. This isn't a stab on non-hymns because I still love those but in order to prove to my friends who are shocked that I am saying this in the first place I have to draw the contrast. I like how a hymn I've never heard before is still so familiar because it all comes from a common source. The language of a good hymn pulls straight from the Bible. Contemporary means "of this time". It puts things in modern context and uses modern language. Hence a new preference for NIV over KJV. Both are relevant and both are effective, it just depends on what you're looking for.

This is my favorite hymn. And no, the irony of this being my favorite version does not escape me. I had never seen this particular video with commentary until the right after I wrote this blog.

Reply in the comments section with your favorite hymn and favorite version of it!!!

The best is yet to come,
~Adwoa