A Hymn of Thanksgiving

We plough the fields, and scatter
The good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered
By God's almighty hand;
He sends the snow in winter,
The warmth to swell the grain,
The breezes and the sunshine,
And soft refreshing rain.

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heav'n above,
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all his love.

He only is the Maker
Of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star;
The winds and waves obey him,
By him the birds are fed;
Much more to us, his children,
He gives our daily bread.

We thank thee, then, O Father,
For all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest,
Our life, our health, our food:
No gifts have we to offer
For all thy love imparts,
But that which thou desirest,
Our humble, thankful hearts.

Matthias Claudius, 1782
Translated by Jane M. Campbell, 1861
Tune: Wir Pflugen, Johann A. P. Schulz, 1800

A Fanny Crosby Biography

I recently finished reading Her Heart Can See: The Life and Hymns of Fanny J. Crosby written by Edith L. Blumhofer, a professor of history at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. I thoroughly enjoyed the book! Biographies and history are two of my favorite kinds of books to read and this was a combination of the best of them. The book is well-written and well-researched. It is as much a history of American Protestantism in the 19th century as it is a recounting of the life of American's most prolific hymn writer. Her Heart Can See portrays Fanny Crosby in a completely unsentimental manner and effectively places her in the context of her times and the influences on her thinking and her work. Ms. Blumhofer begins by exploring Fanny Crosby's Puritan background but, in the course of the book, the reader becomes familiar with the social, political and religious climate of the times and the changes it underwent over Ms. Crosby's long lifespan of almost 95 years. The reader is particularly introduced to the other major figures of Protestant evangelicalism who effected Fanny Crosby's work. In addition, the author develops an understanding of how her blindness influenced the life that Fanny Crosby led, especially because of the long period of time she spent at the New York Institution for the Blind, first as a student and later as a teacher.

Many of Fanny J. Crosby's hymns were written for use in revival meetings and the new (at the time) Sunday schools. They were intended to convey the gospel in song, a simple statement of the message of salvation in Jesus Christ and the joy experienced through it, to be sung to a "catchy" tune and thus more easily remembered. Some have been dismissive of her simple hymns and many of those hymns have been forgotten but many, maybe even many of the now forgotten ones, have achieved their purpose in bringing the gospel message to those to whom it was needed, even those to whom it was not new. As Edith Blumhofer says of Fanny J. Crosby, "She sang of faith in an age of doubt, and millions grasped for certainty by joining her song." In that sense, Fanny Crosby's hymns are as relevant and needed today as they were in her time.

My Top Ten Favorite Hymns

1. Be Thou My Vision
Irish Hymn, c. 8th century
Translated by Mary E. Byrne, 1905
Versified by Eleanor H. Hull, 1912
Tune: Slane, Traditional Irish melody, arranged by Donald P. Hustad, 1973

I love this one best because it expresses the deepest prayer of my heart, that He would by my
Vision, the Lord of my heart. And I love the way the words build and expand the image of God to Ruler of All!

2. O Soul, Are You Weary and Troubled?
Helen H. Lemmel, 1922
Tune: Lemmel, by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

This hymn is my comfort and reminder when things are not going well in my world.

3. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
William Williams, 1745
Translated by Peter Williams and William Williams, 1771
Tune: CWM Rhondda, John Hughes, 1907

My favorite words in this favorite hymn are this line: I am weak, but Thou are mighty; Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand; How could that not comfort a Pilgrim through this barren land?

4. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robert Robinson, 1758
Tune: Nettleton, Traditional American Melody

Its the third verse with its reference to my proneness to wander that speaks so clearly to me in this one. Plus I love the tune!

5. Great is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas O. Chisholm, 1923
Tune: Faithfulness, William M. Runyan, 1923

This hymn just makes my heart sing!

6. When We Walk With the Lord (Trust and Obey)
John H. Sammis, 1887
Tune: Trust and Obey, Daniel B. Towner, 1887

If only I could always live this way all the time....

7. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther, 1529
Translated by Frederick H. Hedge, 1852
Tune: Ein' Feste Burg, Martin Luther, 1829

Such a strong, reassuring statement of the sure victory of believers in Christ.

8. Jesus! What a Friend For Sinners
J. Wilbur Chapman, 1910
Tune: Hyfrydol, Roland H. Prichard, c. 1830

More reassuring truth about my surety in Christ.

9. How Great Thou Art
Carl Boberg, c. 1885
Translated by Stuart K. Hine, 1949
Tune: O Store Gud, Swedish Folk Melody

The title says it all!

The link on the title is for the Swedish version. The English version is still under copyright but you can read about it here.

10. Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Reginald Heber, 1826
Tune: Nicaea, John B. Dykes, 1861

I love this one because its one of the earliest that I remember singing as a child...and its so majestic!

Here they are. This was a tough task! There are so many hymns that I truly love.

Top Ten Favorite Hymns

I've seen this project mentioned at some of my favorite blogs (here and here) and I've decided to join in. It seems that Sherry at Semicolon is embarking on a project to compile our favorite hymns. Here are her guidelines:

1. Make a list of your top ten hymns of all time. Hymn (according to Webster): a song of praise to God a metrical composition adapted for singing in a religious service. For the purposes of this poll, I’m limiting the choices to Christian hymns, but the form of the song doesn’t matter. In other words, the songs on your list should be suitable for congregational singing and should be Christian. Handel’s Messiah is Christian but probably not suitable for congregational hymn singing. Anything you sing in worship service, even what are normally called choruses, is fine. (Oh, English, please, or at least translated into English. Sorry, but it’s all I really speak.)

2.List these hymns in your order of preference. So your #1 hymn would be the one you feel is the best, and so on. I will be giving your first choice 10 points, your second choice 9 points, and so on.

3. Submit your list to me at sherryDOTearlyATgmailDOTcom. Write “Hymn Survey” in the subject line. I’d rather you didn’t leave your votes in my comments here because it’ll be easier to tabulate all the votes if they’re all in my email (plus I want everyone’s votes to be a surprise). Deadline for votes to be sent to me is May 31, 2009.

4. If you like, you can submit a justification for each hymn. Or you can send me a link to an audio or video version online. Include the name of the hymn’s author or lyricist and the composer of the melody you prefer if at all possible, especially if you think I might be unfamiliar with your particular hymn.

And Sherry adds:

Oh, and if you don't mind, I would appreciate your publicizing this poll on your blog. I'd like to get at least 100 nominations or lists for this survey; more would be even better. If you want to post your top ten list on your blog, that's fine. Just be sure you send me a copy.

So look for my top ten list in an upcoming post. I hope to find yours at your blog! But don't forget to email your list to Sherry too!