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.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE I NEED A SAVIOUR

IN TIMES LIKE THESE will encourage your heart! Ruth Caye Jones, born in Pennsylvania in 1902, composed both the words and music. Early in her life, she had taught herself to play the piano and the organ. Later, Ruth married a pastor and raised five children. In 1948, she established a unique radio ministry; a program that was broadcast each week from the Jone’s home in Erie, Pennsylvania. By that time, she was well-known as the writer of this wonderful hymn. Her son,

Feb 11

I WILL ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING IN MY HEART

It seems so fitting at this Thanksgiving time to hear the story of a wonderful song of praise written by Leona Von Brethorst. Of course, it was inspired by Psalm 100. Leona was born in 1923 in a little town called, if you can believe it, Stinking Creek, Tennessee. She was one of 11 children in her family and was raised in poverty. On Sundays in the summer time, she would walk 3 miles to the nearest Full Gospel Church; a journey that was impossible over the winter months.

Feb 11

I AM HIS & HE IS MINE

Our hymn story this time is about the wonderful text written by George Robinson called I AM HIS & HE IS MINE . Some hymnals call this hymn, “Loved with Everlasting Love.” George was an Irish Pastor during the late 1800’s. Some of his poems were published in a volume called, "Songs in God’s World.” Some have wondered if the text for this hymn was, in part, inspired by D. L. Moody’s testimony. Moody says that on the morning after he had first trusted Christ, he thought the

Feb 11

HYMN OF PROMISE (IN THE BULB THERE IS A FLOWER)

Many of the stories of hymns talk about a text that was written centuries or generations before. And yet, there are hymns and songs being written and published still today. The HYMN OF PROMISE , or as some know it, ’IN THE BULB THERE IS A FLOWER ’, was written in 1985! Natalie Sleeth was born in 1930. She started her piano training at age 4, and gained much of her musical experience by singing in choral ensembles during her earlier years. Natalie studied music theory,

Feb 11

HEAVEN CAME DOWN AND GLORY FILLED MY SOUL

In his teenage years, John W. Peterson dreamed of being a singer and soloist; he often sang on local radio programs and in churches. In singing, John felt competent and confident. He wrote, “Here was at least one place where I could excel. I knew it, and I made the most of it!” John found work one summer in a factory running a machine that was very noisy. He would sing at the top of his lungs for hours on end, making up melodies and imagining he was on stage. Little d

Feb 11

HE LEADETH ME

Dr. Joseph H. Gilmore was born in Boston, April 29, 1834. He was the son of a Governor of New Hampshire. He was well educated and graduated in Arts at Brown University and in Theology at Newton Theological Institution. He became a Professor of Hebrew at the Newton Institute, and was later appointed the Professor of Logic in Rochester University in 1868. For some time, he held a Baptist ministerial charge at Fisherville, New Hampshire and later at Rochester, New York. At

Feb 11

GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME

Born in 1942 in Columbus, Ohio, Lanny Wolfe became an American Christian songwriter, musician, music publisher and music educator. He has written over seven hundred songs and fourteen musicals. Lanny has recorded over 70 projects. It all began when, in his youth, he learned how to play the piano by ear; a talent that was well used in his local church as he grew up. He later went on to higher education in music and began teaching worship music at a Pentecostal Bible School

Feb 11

GREAT IS THE LORD

You might call it a chance ‘sighting’ when Michael W. Smith saw Debbie Davis walk by in the hallway outside the office he was sitting in at a Nashville recording company. Michael quickly learned her name and found her again in the building. They began dating, were engaged in 3 ½ weeks and married four months afterwards. Little did either of them know how God would use them to be leaders in writing Christ honouring worship music that has led many in praise to God all over t

Feb 11

EASTER SONG

EASTER SONG was written by Annie Herring. The opening notes of this song, usually sung at Easter, may be the single most recognizable intro in contemporary Christian music still today. You have probably heard it! It was first recorded in 1974 and released on the debut album from the group called "The 2 nd Chapter of Acts." The words tell of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the grave and the elation Christians feel and celebrate all around the world at Easter. Many main

Feb 11

CLEANSE ME (SEARCH ME O GOD)

In Psalm 139 we read, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” These are beautiful words and a humble prayer of repentance to God. Our hymn today was written by J. Edwin Orr who was widely known as an evangelist and a noted scholar of the revival movements in history. Many times, in the history of the world, there have been evangelical awakenings or spiritual revival

Feb 11

BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES

The hymn, BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES , was written by one who definitely was involved in gospel ministry throughout his days on earth. Knowles Shaw, was known as the ‘Singing Evangelist’. He wrote this hymn in 1874. Four years later, he and Elder Kirk Baxter boarded a train in Dallas, en route to McKinney, Texas, where Shaw was beginning an evangelistic campaign. The two of them struck up a conversation with a Methodist minister named Malloy. Later, Baxter wrote about thei

Feb 11

I WOULD BE TRUE

This hymn, I WOULD BE TRUE , was written by a young man in his early twenties. His text was, and continues to be, a favourite of young people. As our youth look for daily meaning and purpose, this text provides words of humble commitment to God as a guide to live throughout all of their days. The young man who penned the words was Howard A. Walter. Howard had travelled to Japan in 1906 to spend a year teaching English. He had a strong desire to write a statement of his

Feb 11

NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD

Some of the stories of how and why the hymns we enjoy so much came to be written are incredible; NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD is one of those incredible stories. Martin Rinkart was born in Eilenberg, Saxony in 1586. He was the son of a poor coppersmith, but as he grew up, felt called to pastoral ministry. After his theological training, he began his career just as the Thirty Years’ War was raging through Germany. It was the most desperate of times, especially as the Swedis

Feb 11

NOW I BELONG TO JESUS

Norman Clayton was a Brooklyn boy, born in January 1903. He was the ninth of 10 children. His Mother, a devout Christian, had helped establish the South Brooklyn Gospel Church, where she attended regularly with her children. Norman had received Jesus Christ as his Saviour at the age of 6. By the age of 12 he was playing the pump organ and later the trumpet at his church – a role he occupied for fifty years! Although he initially was a builder by profession, Norman’s rea

Feb 11

NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Before time began, God established that the consequence of rejecting God and turning away from Him in sin was eternal separation from God. In clear knowledge of this truth, mankind sinned and allowed their relationship with God to be broken. Now, only God alone could restore His relationship with mankind... His beloved creation. Recognizing this truth, the renowned preacher and educator, Robert Lowry, composed our hymn today. The text for NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS

Feb 10

NO OTHER PLEA/MY FAITH HAS FOUND A RESTING PLACE

Although we know this is not what will happen…just imagine when you leave earth and your spirit arrives at the gates of heaven...God askes you why you should be let in? What would you say? This hymn, written by Lidie Edmunds would be a great answer. Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in June, 1851 and passed away in April, 1920. She was an American hymn writer, teacher and attended a Presbyterian Church. Her back was seriously injured during an altercation with a student at

Feb 10

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS LIKE JESUS

John W. Peterson, who passed away in September 2006, was a twentieth century songwriter who had a major influence on evangelical Christian music from the 1950’s through to the 1970’s. He wrote over 1000 songs and 35 Cantatas…two of which were " Night of Miracles" and "Down from His Glory ." He served as an Air Force Pilot during World War II, and later attended Moody Bible Institute, serving on their radio staff for a number of years. He graduated from the American Conse

Feb 10

NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS

So many times, it is the experiences of life that become the inspiration, or maybe the motivation, for many hymns, poems or stories. These personal writings somehow become the words many others need to find expression to their own similar life situations, to find encouragement and direction. That is why hymns composed so many years ago continue to minister to us today. Charles Weigle was born in Indiana in 1871. He studied music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music an

Feb 10

MY TRIBUTE

MY TRIBUTE , was written by Andre Crouch in 1972. It is often referred to as MY TRIBUTE (TO GOD BE THE GLORY) . Andre was a twentieth century musician and song writer. He wrote contemporary Gospel songs which transformed Christian music in our worship of God. Yet he also wrote music for such movies as The Lion King and The Colour Purple. You might wonder at times how song writers of previous generations can continue to influence writers of future generations. It is in

Feb 10

MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE

We have all been young people. When we were teenagers, we probably pushed the envelope as we found our way in life. Apparently, it has always been the same in each generation. In fact, it is reported that in an inscription found in a 6,000-year-old tomb, the message lamented that the youth of that day no longer respected their parents, that they were rude and impatient and they had no self-control. But many times, our youth have changed the world. Let’s think in the Bible

Feb 10