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.

BLESSED REDEEMER

Mrs. Avis Christiansen is to be ranked as one of the important gospel hymn writers of the 20th century; she has written hundreds of hymn texts and several volumes of published poems. She clearly stated that all of her works came out of her own Christian experience and were expressions of her heart’s spiritual desires and convictions. They flow out of her daily walk and intimate fellowship with the Lord. She collaborated with many well-known gospel musicians. It was the mu

Sep 19, 2023

BLESSED BE THE NAME

In ancient times, names were sacred, or maybe we could say names carried a higher purpose. Names expressed character. Often in the Bible, the name given to a newly born child may have been related to a place, circumstance, experience or event at the time. God sometimes changed the names…as in Abraham and Sarah. After a divine encounter, Jacob…the ‘grabber’ became Israel…God’s prince. Of course, God specifically instructed the names of others, including His Son, Jesus, bec

Sep 19, 2023

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Born in March of 1820, Frances Jane Crosby...known as Fanny Crosby throughout her life...became blind as a baby after a tragic and wrong medical procedure. Hers is an amazing life story in which she wrote over 8000 hymns...some have estimated. The total number has never been accurately calculated. On one occasion, a musician and dear friend of Fanny’s asked her to listen to a new tune she had composed; she wanted Fanny to write some words for the music. As her friend sat a

Sep 18, 2023

BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS

Known throughout her community for her helpful, cheery nature, Elizabeth Clephane was one of a few female hymn writers in Scotland. Although she was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Elizabeth grew up in Melrose. Her father was a county Sheriff and her mother was a descendant of the famous Douglas family. She was one of 3 sisters. Personally, her health was very delicate, yet within the limits of her strength, she served the poor and the sick in her community. She and her siste

Sep 18, 2023

BEHOLD THE LAMB

Dottie Rambo is a name very well known in the Gospel and Country music worlds. Born on March 2, 1934 in Madisonville, Kentucky, she grew up in poverty and developed an early affinity for country music. She learned to play guitar while listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. At age eight, she started writing songs while sitting on a creek bed near her home and was supported by her parents until at age 12. That was when she became a born again Christian and made a commi

Sep 18, 2023

BE THOU MY VISION

So many writings, poems and songs that bring spiritual motivation or encouragement have been composed by un-identified authors; the hymn, BE THOU MY VISION , is one of those anonymous but inspiring verses. This eighteenth-century Irish text was written in the quaint Celtic style. It reminds us of the ageless need of man to have a heavenly vision. It encourages humankind to experience God’s care and personal presence throughout this earthly pilgrimage. Mary Byrne first tran

Sep 18, 2023

BE STILL MY SOUL

Over the centuries, the Holy Spirit has intervened in the heart of mankind to reveal the true nature of God and His desire for a meaningful relationship with humans. History has referred to these times as periods of spiritual revival, and these movements of the Spirit have generally been accompanied by outbursts of song. In the late seventeenth century, the church once again had become cold and non-evangelistic, having lost it’s given purpose and path. This time, God lit th

Sep 18, 2023

BE STILL, FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

BE STILL, FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD is a contemporary hymn written by British songwriter, David J. Evans, in 1986. Evans was involved in the charismatic movement…but felt that some of its worship and music risked treating God in a fashion that was too trivial. He was also inspired by the Old Testament account of Jacob after he awoke from his dream, in which the angels were going up and down on a ladder from heaven to earth. Jacob exclaimed, “surely the Lord is in this

Sep 18, 2023

AWAY IN A MANGER

If we were to remember back to the first Christmas song we learned or maybe heard at the advent time of year, most would identify AWAY IN A MANGER as one of their very favourite carols to sing. In childhood and still today, this song will bring us assurance that the little baby, Jesus Christ, gives us an eternal and steadfast love. When all around us may be discouraging and fearful, Jesus remains with us to give peace and hope. The original two verses of this carol were fir

Sep 15, 2023

AT CALVARY

The distressed Father, also a Pastor, earnestly cried out in a letter to the President of Moody Bible Institute. The Pastor’s prodigal son, William Newell, was breaking a parent’s heart. The loving father begged for his son to be allowed to enroll at the Institute; at long last and under certain conditions, the request was granted. To make a long story very short, several years later, William Newell became a beloved professor at Moody. In 1895, William was thinking about hi

Sep 15, 2023

AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER

Marty Nystrom was born in 1956 to Christian parents. He later graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in music education. Here is Marty’s personal account of the inspiration for his Hymn, AS THE DEER PANTETH FOR THE WATER . I quote him, “In 1984, I was a school teacher in Seattle, and since I had the summer off, I decided to go back to Bible College for a summer term. I headed for Dallas, Texas to attend Christ for the Nations Institute. I had a roommate who w

Sep 15, 2023

AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN

Charles Wesley and his brother John are well known in the history of the Christian church. Charles was born prematurely in 1707 and neither cried nor opened his eyes. His mother, Susanna, wrapped him tightly in wool until his actual due date; he then opened his eyes and cried! At a young age, he and his brother were taken to London to attend Westminster School where at the age of 13, he became a King’s Scholar. After graduating, he enrolled at Oxford. Neither Charles nor Jo

Sep 15, 2023

AMAZING GRACE

To say that everyone today will know and will probably have sung this hymn is an understatement. Yet, the story behind the hymn, AMAZING GRACE , will give it so much more meaning. There have been so many versions of this story over the years. Yet, there are some facts about the life of John Newton, author of this hymn, that remain common. He was born in 1725 and was the son of a sea Captain. His mother died when he was 6, and by age 11, he had joined his father at sea. Hi

Sep 15, 2023

ALL THINGS BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL

Cecil (Cecille) Frances Alexander was working with her pupils in Sunday School. As some of her pupils were struggling to understand the Apostles Creed and portions of the catechism, she began to convert these truths into songs for children, to explain the Christian faith and understanding. The creed begins with, “I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” It was for the phrase, "Maker of Heaven and Earth"

Sep 15, 2023

ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME

If there ever was a prolific poet and hymn writer, Fanny Crosby would definitely be at the top of the list. Blinded as a child after a very wrong medical procedure, she quickly learned that feeling sorry for herself would not get her anywhere significant in life. With her vision impairment, she also realized that she would need to develop other senses to accommodate and reach her objectives. With the encouragement of her Grandmother, she memorized whole books of the Bible,

Sep 15, 2023

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD

“God is our Refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Inspired by these words and the rest of Psalm 46, Martin Luther wrote a hymn that became the battle cry of the people...a great source of strength and hope, even for those who were martyred for their convictions. Born in November, 1483, in Saxony, Germany, Luther was educated at the University of Erfurt and later became an Augustinian monk. He taught philosophy and theology at the University of Wittenberg. Hi

Sep 5, 2023

ABIDE WITH ME

A hymn that continues to bring much comfort in times of fear is ABIDE WITH ME ; it is often included as part of Remembrance Day Cenotaph services. One can only imagine the immense comfort these words must have brought to soldiers during the fear of war. Henry and Anne Lyte lived in a village close to the shores in Devonshire, England. There, for 23 years, he faithfully ministered to his seafaring congregation. Henry had a lung condition and it did not help when some of th

Sep 5, 2023

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING

If the name St. Francis of Assisi is mentioned, most would be reminded of stories or documentaries and movies about him. Over the years, it has become difficult to separate truth from fiction in the many accounts of his life. We know that he was born in 1182, the son of a rich merchant in central Italy. After a meager education, he joined the army and was captured in war. He made a commitment to Jesus Christ shortly after his release and renounced his wealth. He began tra

Sep 5, 2023

ALL FOR JESUS

It was once said of the hymn author, Mary James, (and I quote), “I never saw an individual more fully possessed by that love that thinketh no evil, than our beloved Sister James…” (end quote) Mary was born in 1810 and began teaching Sunday School in her Methodist Church when she was only thirteen. She had about a dozen girls in her class, and soon she was visiting them in their homes…often bearing gifts her mother had made. This was the beginning of a lifetime of ministry

Sep 5, 2023

ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME

Our hymn today was first published anonymously as a poem of 8 stanzas entitled “The Lord Is King”, in 1870; later, it was discovered that Edward Perronet was the author. The poem has been revised many times over the years until it is now known as our Hymn, “ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME.” Edward was of French descent and was the son of a clergyman of the Church of England. Born in 1726, he was educated for the Pastoral Ministry like his father. Not being in harmony with

Sep 5, 2023