Sermons & Devotionals by Hymn Stories

Author --Judson W. Van de Venter, 1855-1939 Composer --Winfield S. Weeden, 1847-1908 "He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39 This hymn text was written by the author as he recalled the day that he had surrendered his life to Chri... Read More

Author --Francis H. Rowley, 1854-1952 Composer --Peter P. Bilhorn, 1865-1936 "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 89:1 Francis H. Rowley was born in Hilton, New York, on July 25, 1854. Later he became a Baptist m... Read More

"Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!' And she told them that he had said these things to her." -John 20:18 One of the most dramatic scenes of Scripture is recorded in the twentieth chapter of John's gospel. Early on that first Sunday morning after Christ's cruc... Read More

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" -Psalm 46:1 This beloved gospel hymn text's author, Horatio Gates Spafford, had known peaceful and happy days as a successful young attorney in Chicago, Illinois. He was the father of four lovely daughters, a deeply spiritual and devo... Read More

Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 "Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory." (Psalm 72:19) "Wisdom," "love," "power," "prophet," "priest," "king," "almighty Lord," conqueror," "captain"--these are the names and titles used throughout the stanzas of this hymn to desc... Read More

Author --Henry van Dyke, 1852-1933 Music --Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827 Tune Name --"Hymn to Joy" "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY . . ." Galatians 5:22 This hymn is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language. Its ... Read More

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 "This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9) We must never underestimate the power of love in our human relationships--whether marriages, family, business associations, or friendships. T... Read More

Author --German Hymn from the 18th century English Translation --Edward Caswall, 1814-1878 Composer --Joseph Bamby, 1838-1896 Tune Name --"Laudes Domini" "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 One of the important sources of English hymnody is t... Read More

Author --Elizabeth P. Prentiss, 1818-1878 Composer --William H. Doane, 1832-1915 Tune Name --"More Love to Thee" "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence t... Read More

Author --William R. Featherston, 1846-1873 Composer --Adoniram J. Gordon, 1836-1895 Tune Name --"Gordon" "We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 It is difficult to realize that this beloved devotional hymn, which expresses so profoundly a believer's love and gratitude to Christ for wha... Read More

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD." - Psalm 104:33-34 KJV Many of our finest gospel hymns have been born out of some tragic experience or event. "My Redeemer," though expre... Read More

Author --Martin Rinkart, 1586-1649 English Translation --Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878 Music --Johann Crüger, 1598-1662 Tune Name --"Nun Danket" Scripture Reference --Psalm 147 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, o... Read More

Author --Latin origin from c. 12th century Translated into English --John M. Neale, 1818-1866 Music --A Plainsong/chant from c. 13th century Name of Tune --"Veni Emmanuel" ("Come God With Us") Scripture References --Isaiah 7:14, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 1:23 "The Lord God shall give unto Him the thron... Read More

Author --Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Composer --Carl G. Glaser, 1784-1829 Tune Name --"Azmon" "Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150:6 It is generally agreed that Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley have been the two most influential writers of English hymnody to ... Read More

Frederick Whitfield, 1829-1904 "We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19) This simply stated, lilting musical testimony has been another of the Sunday school favorites since it was first published in leaflet form in 1855. It has since been translated into various languages and has been inclu... Read More

S. Trevor Francis, 1834-1925 "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." (Ephesians 3:17, 18) Who can fully grasp the dimensions of God's great love for us? Yet the Scriptures teach ... Read More

Author --Robert Grant, 1779-1838 Composer --Arranged from J. Michael Haydn, 1737-1806 Tune Name --"Lyons" Scripture Reference --Psalm 104 "Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, Thou art very great." Psalm 104:1 Man is basically a religious though unregenerate being. In all human life there is a ... Read More

Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 "I will praise the Lord all my life, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." (Psalm 146:2) "Christianity is not a theory or speculation, but a life; not a philosophy of life, but a living presence. This realization can turn any gloom into a song." --S. T. Coleridg... Read More

Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this." (Psalm 107:1, 2) "All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass--Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners." --Archibald Alexander The word redeemed impl... Read More

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 "After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:3) This text by Charles Wesley is another of the more than 6,500 hymns written by the "Sweet Bard of Methodism." Wesley wrote on hundreds of scriptural passages ... Read More