From the earliest days of the church
the singing of hymns had been an
integral part of Christian worship.
In the book of Acts, we find Paul
and Silas “praying and singing
hymns to God” (Acts 16:25)
while chained in the Philippian jail.
It was also apostle Paul who charged
believers to Be filled with the Spirit,
singing psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs… to the Lord (Eph 5:18-20).
But the tradition of hymn singing in
worship is far older than Paul and
the early church. Centuries earlier,
King David, Israel’s beloved singer,
who composed numerous psalms
expressing both personal and
corporate praise. And centuries
later, translations of the psalms
would provide the nurturing cradle
for the composition of English
and then American hymns.
I write daily meditation on the theme
of “Praising God thro Hymns” being
convicted by Rom 1:18-21 that
after knowing the attributes of God,
Praising and Thanking Him is the
only appropriate response, lest we
fall to uncleanness, vile passions
and debased mind (v24, 26, 28).
To help recall a day’s meditation,
it has been my practise to mark in
the Bible a spiritual song or hymn
that best reflects the day’s theme.
And I find singing a hymn helps
me to meditate on God’s Word.
After five months of meditation
on the theme of Praising God,
PrayerThots presents the Top 100
hymns that fit its three criteria of
being melodious classic hymns,
significant scriptural passage and
meaningful hymn story or lyrics.
Listed just below are the broad
categories; and at rear full listing
with Bible text that inspired them.
Content by Books:
1) Laws & History: 5
2) Psalms: 20
3) Isaiah: 5
4) Prophets: 5
5) Matthew: 5
6) John: 10
7) Romans: 5
8) Ephesians: 5
9) Philippians: 5
10) 1&2 Timothy: 5
11) Hebrews: 5
12) 1 John: 5
13) Selection: 20
Total Count: 100
Although there are 66 books in the
Bible, we find hymn writers (of hymns
fitting its three criteria of significant
scripture, melodious & meaningful
lyrics) find inspiration from only 10
or just one-sixth of Biblical books.
This observation is rather intriguing
that warrants a closer look as
hymns help us to worship God.
Hymn writers find most inspiration
from Psalms, which is to be expected
being mostly a collection of lament
prayers as well as praise & worship.
The other Old Testament book being
featured goes to the prophetic book
of Isaiah, with its message of calling
the nation of Judah back to God and
to share salvation thro the Messiah.
On NT, the top gospel is John proving
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and
believing Him, we have eternal life.
This is followed by Matthew Gospel,
which proves Jesus is the Messiah,
fulfilling prophecies as Eternal King.
There are six epistles featured:
Rom on Doctrine of Faith In Christ;
Eph on Church as Body of Christ;
Phil on Joy of Suffering for Christ;
2Tim on Endurance for Christ;
Heb on Sufficiency of Christ; and
1John on Living in Light of Christ.
Overall, three quarters of hymns
were inspired by New Testament,
which reinstates our faith is much
about Christ, who is our All In All.
Whilst hymns may be traditional, it
is important to carry on the tradition
of hymn singing as hymns are valued
more for its lyrics than its melody.
The singing of hymns is a means for
believers young and old to express
praise to their Creator and Savior.
It’s also a way for us to communicate
with God using more than just words.
For they enable us to express fully
the grateful feelings of our hearts;
the experience of forgiveness and
the gracious work of the Holy Spirit.
Join the chorus of believers through
-out history to express commitment
and praise to God thro their words.
As the great hymn writer Isaac What
said: “The singing of God’s praise
is the part of worship most closely
related to heaven.” And we can look
forward to the day when all believers
past, present & future will join in one
great chorus around God’s throne,
singing the hymn: Holy Holy Holy,
Lord God Almighty!! Amen & Amen.
Praising God thro Hymns (Series 5)
20 Weeks (6 January to 22 May 2020)
———————————–
Week 1: Laws & History (Jan 6-10)
Jehovah Jireh My Provider (Gen 22)
Nearer My God to Thee (Gen 28)
Leaning On Everlasting Arms (Deut33)
God of Grace & God of Glory (Josh 1)
Come Thou Font of Blessing(1Sam 7)
Week 2: Psalms Book 1 (Jan 13-17)
Be Thou My Vision (Psalm 16)
The Lord’s My Shepherd (Ps 23)
Abide With Me (Psalm 27)
He Leadeth Me (Psalm 31)
This is My Father’s World (Ps 33)
Week 3: Psalms Book 2 (Jan 20-24)
As the Deer Panteth (Ps 42)
Be Still My Soul (Psalm 46)
All the Way My Saviour Leads (Ps 48)
Rock of Ages We Rely On (Ps 62)
Jesus Shall Reign (Psalm 72)
Week 4: Psalms Book 3/4 (Jan 27-31)
Precious Lord Take My Hand (Ps 73)
I Need Thee Every Hour (Ps 86)
Just A Closer Walk (Psalm 86)
God Will Take Care of You (Ps 91)
Praise to the Lord Almighty (Ps 103)
Week 5: Psalms Book 5 (Feb 3-7)
Open My Eyes That I May See (Ps 119)
Thy Word: Light to My Path (Ps 119)
Bringing In the Sheaves (Ps 126)
Search Me O God (Psalm 139)
To God be the Glory (Ps 145)
Week 6: Isaiah (Feb 10-14)
Jesus Paid It All (Isaiah 1)
Here I Am Lord (Isaiah 6)
How Great Thou Art (Isa 40)
At the Cross Saviour Bleed (Isa 53)
Guide Me O Thou Great Jeh (Isa 58)
Week 7: Prophets (Feb 17-21)
Have Thine Own Way (Jer 18)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Lam 3)
There’s A Fountain (Zech 13)
Our God:Ancient of Days (Dan 7)
Our God: Refiner’s Fire (Mal 3)
Week 8: Matthew (Feb 24-28)
Jesus Calls Us (Matthew 4)
Seek Ye First (Matthew 6)
Softly & Tenderly (Matthew 11)
Love Lifted Me (Matthew 14)
I’d Rather Have Jesus (Matt 16)
Week 9: John (Mar 2-6)
Lamb of God (John 1)
Jesus Loves Me (John 3)
Just As I Am (John 6)
Wonderful Words of Life (John 6)
Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead us (J10)
Week 10: John (Mar 9-13)
In the Sweet By and By (John 14)
Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus(Jn14)
I’ve Found a Friend (John 15)
Grace & Mercy At Calvary (John 19)
In the Garden With Jesus (John 20)
Week 11: Romans (Mar 16-20)
Christ for the World We Sing (Rom 1)
It Is Well With My Soul (Rom 5)
And Can It Be (Romans 8)
I Stand Amazed (Romans 11)
Take My Life & Let It Be (Rom 12)
Week 12: Ephesians (Mar 23-27)
Amazing Grace (Eph 2)
Blest Be the Tie That Binds (Eph 4)
O Master Let Me Walk (Eph 5)
Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus (Eph6)
Sweet Hour of Prayer (Eph 6:18)
Week 13: Philippians (Mar 30-Apr 3)
I Surrender All (Phil 3)
When I Survey t W Cross (Phil 3)
Love Divine All Love Excelling (Phil 3)
What A Friend We Have In Jesus (P4)
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Phil 4)
Week 14: Second Timothy (Apt 6-10)
God of Grace & God of Glory (2Tim1)
I Know Whom I Have Believed (2Tim1)
We Want to Pass It On (2Tim 2:1-3)
Onward Christian Soldiers(2Tim2:3-5)
Channels Only (2Tim 2:20-21)
Week 15: Hebrews (Apr 13-17)
O Jesus I Have Promised (Heb 6)
Standing on the Promises (Heb 6)
Blessed Assurance (Heb 10)
Faith of Our Fathers (Heb 12)
Yesterday Today Forever (Heb 13)
Week 16: 1st John (Apt 20-24)
My Hope Is Built (IJn 1)
My Jesus I Love Thee (1Jn 4)
We’ll Love, Trust & Obey (1Jn 5:1-2)
We Shall Overcome (1Jn 5:2-5)
Victory in Jesus (1Jn 5:4-5, 14-15)
Week 17: Selection (Apr 27-May 1)
Jesus Lover of My Soul (Psa 17)
Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ps 46)
Wideness In God’s Mercy (Ps 100)
Thank God for My Redeemer(Ps 105)
Publish Glad Tidings of Peace (Isa 40)
Week 18: Selection (May 4-8)
Cross Crowded Way of Life (Mt 25)
I Have Decided To Follow Jesus (Lk9)
According to Thy Gracious Word(Lk22)
I Love to Tell the Story (Acts 1)
God of the Earth, Sky & Sea (Acts 17)
Week 19: Selection (May 11-15)
Grace Greater than Our Sin (Rom 5)
Day by Day God With Us (2Cor 4)
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Col 3)
Take Time to be Holy (1Thess 5)
Fight the Good Fight (I Tim 6)
Week 20: Selection (May 18-22)
I am Thine O Lord (James 5)
The Old Rugged Cross (1Pet 2)
Know More About Jesus (2Pet 1)
Holy Holy Holy LGA (Revelation 4)
All Hail Power of Jesus’ Name(Rev19)