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< Hymn History: Hiding in Thee Author: William Orcutt Cushing “It must be said of this hymn [‘Hiding in Thee’] that it was the outgrowth of many tears, many heart-conflicts, and soul-yearnings, of which the world can know nothing. The history of many battles is behind it.” (William O. Cushing) The Origin of the Hymn “Hiding in Thee” Read more...
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Hymn History: His Eye Is on the Sparrow Author: Civilla Durfee Martin “Civilla Durfee Martin … was a schoolteacher with a modest musical training. She and her husband, Walter Stillman Martin, often wrote gospel songs for revival meetings.” (C. Michael Hawn) The Origin of the Hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” Few hymns have touched as many Read more...
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Hymn History: I Am Resolved Author: Palmer Hartsough “His full life of ministry and continual service are a testament to what he suggests in this very hymn—that he spent his days working for things to come.” (Cameron Frank) The Origin of the Hymn “I Am Resolved” The hymn “I Am Resolved” has long served as a call to commitment Read more...
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Hymn History: I Know Whom I Have Believed Author: Daniel Webster Whittle “Many years have passed since that night in the Richmond Hospital, and I am still trusting and confessing the Lord Jesus Christ, and purpose by God’s grace to continue doing so until He calls me Home.” (Daniel Webster Whittle) The Origins of the Hymn “I Know Read more...
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Hymn History: O, Breath of Life Tune Composer: Norman E. Johnson Author: Bessie Porter Head “Norman Johnson’s genius has shaped some of today’s best church music.” (Christianity Today) Norman E. Johnson (1928–2017) was a devoted Christian musician, educator, and hymn writer whose quiet faith and steady service left a meaningful mark on congregational singing in the United States. Read more...
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Hymn History: I Need Thee Every Hour Author: Annie Sherwood Hawks “Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me – ‘I Need Thee Every Hour Read more...
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Hymn History: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Author: Edmund Hamilton Sears “How sweeps the song of solemn joy O’er Judah’s sacred hills! “Glory to God!” The sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring; ‘Peace on the earth; good-will to men, From heaven’s eternal King!’” (Edmund Hamilton Sears) The Origin of the Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus Paid It All Author: Elvina Mable Hall “Elvina Mable Hall is remembered for one hymn, ‘I Hear the Savior Say.'” (The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology) The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Paid It All” Few hymns capture the profound simplicity of the gospel as memorably as “Jesus Paid It All.” Its message of atonement and complete Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus, Refuge of My Soul Author: Pauline Gilmour Hatch “Among her best and most popular compositions are Volunteers, to the Front, Our Dearly Loved Banner, Jesus, Refuge of My Soul and Peace Hymn of Nations — all of which show talent of a high order, coupled with thorough scholarship.” (A. J. Showalter) The Origin of Pauline Read more...
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Hymn History: More Love to Thee, O Christ Author: Elizabeth Payson Prentiss “There is no wilderness so dreary but that His love can illuminate it, no desolation so desolate but that He can sweeten it. I know what I am saying. It is no delusion. I believe the highest, purest happiness is known only to those who have learned Read more...
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Hymn History: My Faith Looks Up to Thee Author: Ray Palmer “He wrote the lines of verse as what he called his ‘Self-Consecration,’ simply putting down how he felt, ‘with a deep consciousness of my own needs, without the slightest thought of writing for another eye.’” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “My Faith Looks Up to Read more...
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Hymn History: No, Not One! Author: Johnson Oatman Jr. “’No, Not One’ was written in 1895. Composer George Hugg wrote the music the same year. The hymn was so popular it was published in 35 hymnbooks within a year. The song stresses the preeminence of Jesus: ‘There is not a friend like the lowly Jesus/ No, not one! No, Read more...
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Hymn History: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded Translator: James Waddel Alexander “He translated a number of hymns from Greek, Latin, and German but is mainly known today for his translation of ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.’” (Hymnary) The Origin of the Hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” Among all the hymns that contemplate the suffering and sacrifice of Read more...
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Hymn History: O Zion, Haste Author: Mary Ann Thomson “By some mistake 1891 is given instead of 1871 as the date of the hymn in the (Episcopal) Hymnal. I do not think it is ever sung to the tune for which I wrote it. Rev. John Anketell told me, and I am sure he is right, that it is Read more...
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Hymn History: Softly and Tenderly Author: Will Lamartine Thompson “No matter where I am, at home or hotel, at the store or traveling, if an idea or theme comes to me that I deem worthy of a song, I jot it down in verse. In this way I never lose it.” (Hymnary) The Origin of the Hymn “Softly Read more...
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Hymn History: Take the Name of Jesus with You Author: Lydia Baxter “I have a very special armor. I have the name of Jesus. When the tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the name of Jesus, and He can’t get through to me anymore.” (Lydia Baxter) The Origin of the Hymn “Take the Name Read more...
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Hymn History: The Wanderer’s Prayer Author: Ellen Oliver Van Fleet “From her mother she inherited domestic tendencies, together with an unswerving regard for duty. From her father she inherited a strong literary taste.” (Wikisource) The Origin of the Hymn “The Wanderer’s Prayer” In the rich treasury of nineteenth-century American hymnody, “The Wanderer’s Prayer” occupies a special place as Read more...
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Hymn History: Who Is He in Yonder Stall? Author: John Sullivan Dwight “The Bible is a window in this prison of hope, through which we look into eternity.” (John Sullivan Dwight) The Origin of the Hymn “Who Is He in Yonder Stall?” Among the many hymns that celebrate the birth of Christ, “Who Is He in Yonder Stall?” Read more...
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Hymn History: Just Over in the Glory Land Author: James Warren Acuff “He was a well-known singer and song writer among the Churches of Christ in Texas. He wrote several popular Gospel songs, often led the singing for protracted meetings, and helped compile hymnals for the Firm Foundation Company of Austin, Texas.” (NetHymnal) The Origin of the Hymn Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus Loves the Little Children Author: Clarence Herbert Woolston “A pastor, gospel songwriter, and sleight-of-hand magician, Clarence Herbert Woolston (1856-1927) claimed that he had ‘addressed many more than 1,000,000 children’.” (C. Michael Hawn) The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children” Among the simplest and most cherished hymns of childhood, “Jesus Loves the Little Read more...