This week, in preparation for this summer’s “Favorite Hymn Countdown”, we are collecting lists of everyone’s top eight favorite hymns. In putting together my list, I’ve discovered that I can barely narrow it down to my top 20 favorite hymns, much less rank them in any order!

What makes for a “great” hymn? Certainly, it begins with a theologically rich message articulated with clarity and eloquence so as to touch our hearts and to stir us to worship. In this regard, think of the songs we sing as mini-sermons, ministering God’s Word to our hearts.

Of course, even great lyrics can fall flat without the right melody behind them. First of all, the tone/mood of the melody must match the tone/mood of the lyrics. If the lyrics are somber and serious, then an upbeat melody will feel awkward, and vice versa. Secondly, the melody must be designed for corporate worship, meaning it must be singable by everyone in the congregation, not just by the worship leaders. This involves both the complexity of the melody as well as the vocal range.

In thinking about my favorite hymns, I always find myself thinking about two prominent hymn writers in particular: Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts.

Charles Wesley (1707–1788) is believed to have written no less than 6,500 hymns, 10 of which are in our pew hymnals, including “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus,”, “Come, Thou Almighty King”, and “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”. One of my favorites from Wesley that didn’t make it into this particular hymnal is “And Can it Be That I Should Gain”.

Isaac Watts (1674–1748) published more than 800 hymns, 11 of which are in our pew hymnals, including “Joy to the World”, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”, “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”, “My Shepherd, You Supply My Need”, and “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”. Charles Wesley is reported to have said that he would give up all of his hymns to have written “When I Survey”! It really is that good.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan

(See a related article here and a follow-up here.)