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HYMN STORIES
“AND NOW YOU KNOW….”
We are encouraged, uplifted and sometimes even challenged by some of the songs and hymns we sing so often. You might wonder what inspired the writing and composition of these songs. There is a story behind each one. Most often these stories will give even more meaning to the already powerful blessing these songs are. In this library, you will find reasons and life experiences that God used to provide us with wonderful messages in music. These are historical accounts of hymns and songs used in the programs of Hope Today.
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I AM NOT SKILLED TO UNDERSTAND
This hymn was one of the Songs of Salvation written by Dorothy Greenwell…affectionately known as Dora. Her personality was described by many with the term “rippling sunshine.” She took specific interest in those who were less fortunate, less educated or who had some physical or mental disabilities. Dora poured herself – passion and purse – into loving and helping those who were misunderstood or mistreated by society. One friend said, “Her life was hidden with Christ in Go
Mar 5, 2024
HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS
Many may not be aware that John Newton, the author of one of the most famed and requested hymns of all time…Amazing Grace…wrote other texts as well; HOW SWEET THE NAME OF JESUS SOUNDS is one of them. We are called to trust God…but that is not a chore…when you know the One in whom you place your trust. Your trust becomes a natural response to the wonderful knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. The story is told of John Newton, this converted slave ship captain, preaching on
Mar 5, 2024
HOW GREAT THOU ART
Many poems or hymns are inspired by the personal experiences of their authors. Often these events of heightened awareness and confirmation of truth lead them to communicate a grateful message through verse. The original Swedish text for the hymn, HOW GREAT THOU ART , was written by Reverend Carl Boberg. His inspiration is said to have come from a visit to a beautiful country estate on the southeast cost of Sweden. As he was being renewed by the natural beauty around him,
Mar 5, 2024
HOW GREAT OUR JOY
The origin of the text for HOW GREAT OUR JOY is not known, but according to some investigations, it may date back to as early as 1500 AD in Germany. In 1623, the tune was modernized and given an echo setting…where one group or individual repeats the lines of the other. There is speculation that the song may have been designed for a Christmas play in which the Shepherds’ lines were followed by an off-stage echo. Part of the song was first translated into English in the ea
Mar 5, 2024
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION is one of those stalwart hymns in evangelical churches. This sermon in music includes 5 verses...each inspired by a different passage of scripture...from Isaiah to Hebrews to 2 Corinthians. The hymn first appeared in 1787 when it was published in a hymnal by Dr. John Rippon. Dr. Rippon was one of the most popular and influential ministers of his time and was the pastor of Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London, England for 63 years. The authorship
Mar 5, 2024
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Reginald Heber was born in 1783 to scholarly and well-to-do parents. It was not surprising that at age 17, Reginald entered Oxford University where his scholarship and literary abilities received much attention. Following his ordination to the ministry of the Anglican Church, he served for 16 years at an obscure parish church in a small village in western England. He became known as a prolific literary writer and became a frequent contributor to magazines with his poetry,
Mar 5, 2024
HE TOUCHED ME
In the early days, not long after Bill & Gloria Gaither were married, they both were active in their teaching careers. On the weekends, Bill directed the music the local church they attended. They were beginning to write songs, often in response to a sermon they heard. Sometimes the song was to give expression to God’s voice as He spoke to them while they studied Scripture. At that time, Doug Oldham had started to attend the Gaither’s church. Doug’s father, Dr. Dale Ol
Mar 5, 2024
HE LIVES
“Why should I worship a dead Jew?”, challenged a sincere young Jewish student who had been attending the evangelistic meetings conducted...
Mar 5, 2024
HE LIFTED ME
The hymn, HE LIFTED ME , was written by Charles H. Gabriel. He is recognized as one of North America’s most influential and prolific gospel songwriters of the twentieth century. He was born in August 1856 in an Iowa prairie shanty. The neighboring settlers often gathered in the Gabriel home for sessions of singing and fellowship, generally lead by his father. These times probably helped Charles develop his love for music. Soon it was evident that he had a gift for compos
Mar 5, 2024
HE HIDETH MY SOUL
The story of Fanny Crosby with her faith, hope and joy even in the burdens of her worldly life, demonstrates a resilience that can only come from one place. That is from a trust in Jesus Christ who is our cornerstone and unmovable rock that we can find shelter behind. Fanny had 3 significant life events that could have caused many to question their perspective of life. The first was her blindness, caused by a careless Doctor when she was only six weeks of age. The secon
Mar 5, 2024
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE
It would seem that Annie Johnson Flint wrote her hymn, HE GIVETH MORE GRACE , sometime prior to 1922 as it was published in a magazine of daily devotions for the month of October that year. Miss Flint was a schoolteacher who became disabled due to severe arthritis. She began writing poems and hymns. One of her most famous poems begins with, “God hath not promised skies always blue…” Maybe you have heard or read that poem!! Her most famous hymn is, HE GIVETH MORE GRACE.
Mar 5, 2024
HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS
Like most of the African American Spirituals, HE’S GOT THE WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS, has no verified author. At one time there was some...
Mar 5, 2024
HE’S ALIVE
On Good Friday, we remember the mean, painful death that Jesus Christ willingly endured. He faced it rejected and alone. On Easter...
Mar 5, 2024
HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD
“It really doesn’t matter what you do with us, Lord. – just have your way with our lives.”, prayed an elderly lady at a weekly church...
Mar 5, 2024
HARK, THE HERALD ANGELS SING
It is not surprising that Charles Wesley wrote the hymn that this story is about. It is one of 6500 hymns that he composed and one that...
Mar 5, 2024
HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR
Deeply in love, Philip Bliss and Lucy Young were married on June 1, 1859. Philip was twenty years old and exhibited a remarkable talent...
Mar 5, 2024
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH
The Great Awakening of the 1700’s was a heaven-sent revival to many parts of the world. In North America, God used the preaching of...
Oct 31, 2023
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
There are many wonderful songs and hymns written today that are added to the inspirational and beloved music from past generations. One...
Oct 31, 2023
GRACE GREATER THAN OUR SIN
Julia Johnson, was born in Saline Ville, Ohio, of good stock. Thirteen of her immediate relatives had been in pastoral ministry. Both...
Oct 31, 2023
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU
The faith of a child is so innocent and their understanding is so basic and simple. Because of this child like faith, we have the hymn...
Oct 31, 2023
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