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While there are many objective metrics in evaluating hymns, we should allow for subjective experiences to affect one’s personal favorites. The use of a hymn at a particular moment in life can make a lifelong connection. That’s good! 1/
Many years ago I was really struggling. We’d lost a baby, I was struggling with a serious illness, and things weren’t going well at church. One Sunday I was just stumbling through the service, wanting to get out of church and away from all those staring eyes. 2/
The Distribution of Communion was over, but a ten stanza hymn was going on and the organist was playing it all. I just wanted everything—everything—to end. I dutifully picked up the book. Might as well pretend I care. It was LSB 724, "If God Himself Be For Me." 3/
I was aware of some of what had come before. Snippets. "Satan hates ... burden waits ... a thousand plagues and crosses...." I'd been a pastor for about ten years, but had never noticed how Romans 8 was in this hymn. It was about stanza 8 when I started to sing. 4/
No danger, thirst, or hunger,
No pain or poverty,
No earthly tyrant's anger
Shall ever vanquish me.
Though earth should break asunder,
My fortress You shall be;
No fire or sword or thunder
Shall sever You from me.
5/
No pain or poverty,
No earthly tyrant's anger
Shall ever vanquish me.
Though earth should break asunder,
My fortress You shall be;
No fire or sword or thunder
Shall sever You from me.
5/
No angel and no gladness,
No throne, no pomp, no show,
No love, no hate, no sadness,
No pain, no depth of woe,
No scheming, no contrivance,
No subtle thing or great
Shall draw me from Your guidance
Nor from You separate.
6/
No throne, no pomp, no show,
No love, no hate, no sadness,
No pain, no depth of woe,
No scheming, no contrivance,
No subtle thing or great
Shall draw me from Your guidance
Nor from You separate.
6/
Then we got to stanza 10:
My heart with joy is springing;
I am no longer sad.
AND I WASN'T. The cloud had lifted. I was filled with a gladness I couldn't explain.
The baby was still dead. The sickness was still there. The church struggles remained.
7/
My heart with joy is springing;
I am no longer sad.
AND I WASN'T. The cloud had lifted. I was filled with a gladness I couldn't explain.
The baby was still dead. The sickness was still there. The church struggles remained.
7/
BUT!
My heart with joy is springing;
I am no longer sad.
My soul is filled with singing;
Your sunshine made me glad.
The sun that cheers my spirit
Is Jesus Christ, my King;
The heaven I shall inherit
Makes me rejoice and sing.
8/
My heart with joy is springing;
I am no longer sad.
My soul is filled with singing;
Your sunshine made me glad.
The sun that cheers my spirit
Is Jesus Christ, my King;
The heaven I shall inherit
Makes me rejoice and sing.
8/
That hymn delivered the Gospel—the unequivocal, unconditional love of God for me—in a way nothing else had done. So if there's a hymn contest/bracket like over at @LSB_2006, I'm gong to pick that hymn no matter what it's up against. That hymn delivered me from the darkness. 9/
Other hymns I connect to particular events. A parishioner died while his son, daughter-in-law, and I were singing "Abide with Me." As a baby, "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" unfailingly calmed my son. 10/
All this is to say, I think when people say, "I really like this hymn," there might be a lot underneath the surface for a person that they may not feel comfortable sharing. But it made a powerful connection that has stayed with the person, and brings comfort. 11/
I'll argue about hymns with you all day long. But it's also true that some will be "best" for certain people for reasons we cannot understand. That's good! Let's encourage it. 12/12
