God has given us music to be a part of our life and worship. Could you imagine a worship service without music? Not only has much of the Scripture been put to music, but thousands upon thousands of hymns and spiritual songs been incorporated into our worship of the Triune God. I am zealous that we do not lose or fail to establish the connection between worship and education. I am always pleased when I see churches that, primarily because of size, have combined their music/worship and education committees. The Apostle Paul indicates in the I Cor. 11-14 that our worship must be with understanding.

Recent trends studies indicate that young people are more willing to sing traditional music than had been previously believed. I also believe that number would increase if they had a better understanding of where the more famous traditional hymns originated. If we understand the continuity and history of the church, there is something majestic about singing hymns that have been sung for years. While I think there is a place for contemporary music, it should not be used at the expense teaching and allowing newer and younger Christians to sing the old hymns.

This volume tells the stories of the hymns. The jacket of the book accurately describes it; “Four renowned Christians bring out the stirring lyrics through intriguing histories, biblical wisdom, and inspirational messages that will encourage you as you await the glorious day when you will see the Savior face to face.” The format of the book makes it adaptable to a personal or family devotional setting or even using in a worship service to instruct the people regarding those hymns.

The writers have selected twelve hymns and written about them in an inspiring, instructive way. They include hymns such as: “Lead On, O King Eternal”, “My Jesus, I Love Thee”, “Amazing Grace”, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”, and others. The hymns, with words and music, are contained in the book and can be referred to along with the CD. Reading the book will definitely make the singing of these hymns more meaningful.

As an example of the richness of this book, John MacArthur, writes about “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”:  “One of the best-loved and most enduring of Charles Wesley’s voluminous hymns is this poetic prayer that the love of Christ will be perfected in us. Christ is personified in the first stanza as “Love divine…Joy of heav’n, to earth come down.” He Himself is “all compassion, pure, unbounded love.” So this hymn is not a prayer about an emotion or sentiment called love; it is an invitation for Christ to indwell us as the very embodiment of God’s love.” Need more be said?

This attractive book will make an excellent gift for a family or individual or even a church library.

 -Charles Dunahoo

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