hymn history

Prolific hymn-writer Charles Wesley (brother of John who began the Methodist Church) wrote the original words to 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing' in 1739. The writing marked the one-year anniversary of his conversion. The carol was published that year in a book called Hymns and Sacred Poems. The first two lines were: "Hark, how all the welkin rings/Glory to the king of kings.” Then, in 1753, Wesley's friend and co-worker George Whitfield changed those lines to the ones we know today: "Hark! The herald angels sing/glory to the newborn king."

Hymn History: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

December 14, 2022
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" tells the story of an event recorded in the Bible after Jesus Christ was born. On the first Christmas, an angel appeared in the sky...
In 1897, Oatman’s most influential hymn, Count Your Blessings, was published in the hymnal Songs for Young People. It became an immediate sensation.

Hymn History: Count Your Blessings

November 23, 2022
Hymn History: Count Your Blessings “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not...
Eochaid is not a name you hear every day. However, that is the given name of the ancient follower of the Lord Jesus. In the late 6th and early 7th century, poetry and education were gaining huge importance in Ireland. Eochaid was better known as Dallan Furgail, a nickname derived from his place of birth and the fact that he was a blind man.  Born into a noble family, Furgail “was early [recognized] as the royal poet and greatest scholar in Ireland” (A Dictionary of Christian Biography, Literature, 1877). He distinguished himself in spite of one huge hurdle - he was blind. Not only did he survive, he excelled in the study of poetry, literature, and theology. Reflect on this - a blind man penned the poem/prayer that would ultimately become Be Thou My Vision. Eochaid, a blind man, penned the poem/prayer that would ultimately become Be Thou My Vision. It was set to tune in honor of St. Patrick.

Hymn History: Be Thou My Vision

November 2, 2022
“But mine eyes are unto thee, O GOD the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.” - Psalm 141:8 Eochaid: The Blind Author Eochaid is not...
'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Hymn History: ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

August 31, 2022
"For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth." - Psalm 71:5 We are thrilled to share a series of brief accounts of how...
With tears in his eyes, Moody said said: "Sankey, where did you get that hymn? I never heard the like of it in my life." I was also moved to tears and arose and replied: "Mr. Moody, that's the hymn I read to you yesterday on the train, which you did not hear." Then Mr. Moody raised his hand and pronounced the benediction, and the meeting closed. Thus "The Ninety and Nine” was born." Image to lead to and audio and written account of this hymn history

Hymn History: The Ninety and Nine

June 29, 2022
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains,...