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I was not reimbursed for this post in any way. I bought my own hymn book. You can purchase a copy here.
Yep, that’s right. I’m reviewing a hymn book.
Why? Because the hymn books we use in our churches are super important. The songs we sing in our worship services play a huge role in shaping the tone of the service.
This hymn book is a relatively new compilation by John D. Martin and contains 1020 songs. According to the Hymns of the Church website, 80% of those songs are hymns and 20% are Gospel songs. I’ve been wanting to look through this song book for awhile now, so a few weeks ago when I was at a store that sells these books, I couldn’t resist purchasing one. This might just be the best book I’ve ever bought, songbook or otherwise. I can’t express to you just how delighted I am with the selection of songs in this book. There are old faithful hymns as well as plenty of contemporary compositions. I’m not talking shallow 7/11 (7 words sung 11 times) contemporary songs – I’m talking contemporary as in new compositions based on a rich tradition of a Cappella singing in 4-part harmony.
There is a wide selection of song types in this book, from traditional favorites like “Trust and Obey” (#793) and “How Firm a Foundation” (#394), to old texts with new-to-me tunes (“Jesus Lover of My Soul” #643), to old tunes with new-to-me texts (“The Master Has Come” #596, to the tune of “The Ash Grove”), to A CHORAL HYMNS SECTION at the back of the book!
Any hymn book with a section devoted to choral songs is legit.
Pictured here are a few of my favorite songs that happen to be included in this book. “Flee as a Bird to Your Mountain” (#730), “True Evangelical Faith” (#1014), “Father, in Thy Mysterious Presence” (#136), “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” (#514), “Nearer, Still Nearer” (#649), “Teach Me, O Lord, To Number My Days” (#723), “Sing We Now the Praises” (#1011), “Still, Still, Still” (#207), and my three favorite Christmas songs, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (#221), “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” (#222), and “What Child Is This?” (#227) are all included.
Fittingly, “The Hallelujah” is #1000. *happy sigh*
Including that brutal high A that comes right after the page turn…
I highly recommend this hymn book for personal or congregational use. It’s a tremendous resource for good songs. Again, you can purchase one here.
Suzahdi says
Does it have “Farther Along” and “Ivory Palaces” in it? Those are my two favorite hymns.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
No, I don’t think it has either of those. 🙁
Cindi Troyer says
I love this songbook too! We started using it in our church a little while ago. I treasure the gift we have been given in learning to sing 4 part harmony.
Jen says
I respectfully disagree with your comment about 7/11 songs. I have grown to appreciate the purpose of both hymns and “7/11” praise songs. It is true that many truths are sung in just one hymn, but sometimes my spirit needs to, and benefits from, worshiping and focusing on just one truth at a time. Be blessed.
Briana Thomas says
Understood, and I agree that songs with few words can be very meaningful. However, I don’t think they should be all we focus on. I probably expressed myself wrongly in the post; a bigger problem I have with those songs is the music that goes with them. A lot of it tends to have a very sensual flair to it. Thanks for sharing! I like when people push back and challenge me. 🙂