Reformed hymns?

[Bernergirl]

I've been writing the lyrics of some hymns we've sung in church into my own little composition book "hymnal" for daily reading/singing. I have A few favorites of mine - "All Creatures," "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus," and "Holy, Holy, Holy" - but I have had a rather limited exposure to reformed hymns and could use some direction as to hymns to look for (I can learn to sing it from the tunes online...)

I would like to eventually fill the composition book. Any recommendations?

 

[Calvinist Dark Lord]

I've been writing the lyrics of some hymns we've sung in church into my own little composition book "hymnal" for daily reading/singing. I have A few favorites of mine - "All Creatures," "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," "O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus," and "Holy, Holy, Holy" - but I have had a rather limited exposure to reformed hymns and could use some direction as to hymns to look for (I can learn to sing it from the tunes online...)

I would like to eventually fill the composition book. Any recommendations?

Ah yes, much better...forgive me dear, i had my browser (Firefox 1.5.0.6 under Linux) set to identify itself as Internet Explorer 6.0 under Windows XP SP2. It was messing up this posting interface for me. i couldn't get font effects or change font, or change size, or ...


Anyway, believe it or not, i'd recommend many of the Hymns of Charles Wesley. While it is true that Charles was the Brother of John Wesley, (founder of the Methodist Church and an Arminian), Charles Wesley traveled with George Whitefield, founder of the reformed Methodists. Martin Lloyd-Jones the great Welsh preacher was a part of that organisation.


The result of that overlong story being that we Reformed (Presbyterian in my case) can also claim Charles Wesley as our own as much as the Methodist Church may wish to do so.


i loved the hymn All Creatures of our God and King. i believe the words were written by, of all people, St. Francis of Assisi. In a congregation where i had membership, we would often sing the doxology to that particular tune. The lyrics were as such

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Aleluia,Aleluia,
Praise God the Source of all our gifts,
Praise Jesus Christ Whose power uplifts,
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit,
Aleluia,Aleluia,
Aleluia​

Most people use the tune from the 100[sup]th[/sup] Psalm.


Also coming to mind is the song Praise Ye the Lord the Almighty, by Joachim Neander, as well as Ode to Joy by Ludwig von Beethoven.


If you're a classical music fan, you're pretty safe with Johann Sebastian Bach. His work is voluminous. i've been told that were all of his music recorded on CD, that it would take 5,000+ CD's to record them. A stunning volumn of work from a man of that era. i can sit back and listen to the Brandenburg Concertos all day, as well as the much abused Tacatta and Fuge in D-minor. My favorite however is the Choral from Cantatta 147...a.k.a. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. Rather interesting to play on guitar if one does not read music. It took some rather imaginative tuning to be able to accomplish it.

If you're looking for something more 'contemporary', i'm afraid i can't much help you there. Contemporary for this old electric blues guitarist (now back into his accustical folk music roots) was Phil Keaggy, Second Chapter of Acts, Marty McCall & Fireworks, Pam Mark Hall, and so on. None of that is anything i'd like to see played in a worship service.

i strongly recommend that you avoid many of the Revivalist Hymns of the 19[sup]th[/sup] and early 20[sup]th[/sup] Centuries. Their content is often blasphemous, and opposed to Reformed doctrine
​

 

[Elderone]

The reformers of the past, and a good many congregations today, sing Psalms. Look for a book of "Psalms for Singing".

It has been said, and which I agree, the worship service is for us to listen to God's word, not for us to be saying things to God. Prayers excluded.

 

[seekingpurity047]

Amazing Grace and I also really like At the cross...

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight, and now I am happy all the day.

Amen.

To the glory of God,

Randy

 

[edie19]

James M. Boice wrote some beautiful hymns - you can find out about them at Tenth Presbyterian Church's website (under the music link): http://www.tenth.org/

Anyhow - Hymns for a Modern Reformation by Boice and Jones.

Over the past year or so my church has been limiting the 7-11 songs and singing more hymns. We use the Trinity Hymnal which has some lovely hymns in it. My personal favorites include "How Great Thou Art, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," "Amazing Grace," and "Fairest Lord Jesus."

edie

 

[Erinwilcox]

You could just get an older copy of the Trinity Hymnal. . .it's FILLED with wonderful hymns!

 

[edie19]

A hymn from my childhood that's been circling in my brain for a couple of weeks now is All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name. I can close my eyes and hear the organ accompaniment - big music

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.

 

[cygnusx1]

GOD moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.


Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take!
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace:
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.


His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.


William Cowper, 1774.

 

[Wrigley]

PEACE LIKE A RIVER

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...

It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...

~~Horatio Gates Spafford
[1873]​

​

 

[edie19]

You could just get an older copy of the Trinity Hymnal. . .it's FILLED with wonderful hymns!

Erin's post caused me to do some checking . . . .

http://www.amazon.com/Presbyterian-...i3_rdr_bb_product/103-8283586-2502255?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Hymna...=pd_bbs_1/103-8283586-2502255?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[HiredGoon]

The Trinity Hymnal is also online. Here's one of my favorite hymns: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

 

[edie19]

The Trinity Hymnal is also online. Here's one of my favorite hymns: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

I like that one too - we sing it at church on a fairly regular basis.

edie

p.s. thanks for the link to the Trinity Hymnal

 

[PapaLandShark]

The Trinity Hymnal is also online. Here's one of my favorite hymns: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

That is one of my wife's favorite also

I'm rather stuck in contemporary music at the moment.

 

[SwampThing]

Personally I like the Old Rugged Cross.....it's too bad that the old classics aren't sung anymore......

 

[Eryk]

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/music/I'm a fan of Sovereign Grace Music CDs.

 

[cygnusx1]

326: AS debtors to mercy alone

by Augustus Montague Toplady (1740-1778)

sung to De Fleury
by Anonymous
White's Sacred Melodies (8.8.8.8.D. Dactylic)


1 AS debtors to mercy alone,
Of heavenly mercy we sing;
Nor fear to draw near to the throne,
Our praise and our worship to bring:
The wrath of a sin-hating God
With us can have nothing to do;
The Saviour's obedience and blood
Hide all our transgressions from view.

2 The work which His goodness began,
The arm of His strength will complete:
His promise is Yea and Amen,
And never was forfeited yet:
Things future, nor things that are now,
Nor all things below nor above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo,
Or sever our souls from His love.

3 Our names from the palms of His hands
Eternity will not erase:
Impressed on His heart they remain
In marks of indelible grace:
And we to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is given;
More happy, but not more secure,
The spirits departed to heaven.

 

[erin74]

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/music/I'm a fan of Sovereign Grace Music CDs.

I got one of theirs yesterday.

We have Emu Music which feature the latest Sovereign Grace CD. But their own music is also excellent.