Hymn Story When Morning Gilds the Skies Hymn lists by book of Bible This hymn was written by a German author whose name has been lost in time.  It first appeared in a Roman Catholic hymnal, Catholisches Gesangbuch in 1828.  That hymnal originated in Wurzburg, on the Main River near Frankfurt.  That is lovely [...]

Hymn Story When I Survey the Wondrous Cross Hymn lists by book of Bible Isaac Watts was a very bright preacher's kid who grew up in England.  At that time, music in the church consisted primarily of crude adaptations of the Psalms -- poorly written and poorly sung.  When Watts complained to his father about [...]

Hymn Story The Old Rugged Cross Hymn Lists by book of Bible George Bennard (1873-1958) was born in Youngstown, Ohio, but his family moved to Iowa, where he accepted Christ as his savior at a revival meeting sponsored by the Salvation Army. George's coal-miner father died when George was sixteen.  George had hoped to become [...]

Hymn Story What Wondrous Love isThis Hymn lists by book of Bible If I were to use one word to describe this hymn, it would be "haunting."  Another word might be "plaintive," which means "sad-sounding."  The tune is based on a six-tone scale, which gives it that plaintive sound. But the tune that begins [...]

Hymn Story What Child Is This? Hymn lists by book of Bible William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898) was born in Bristol, England.  His father, a surgeon, had written a biography of the poet, Thomas Chatterton, which accounts for the middle name that he gave his son.  It also reveals the affection for poetry which the father [...]

Hymn Story The Ninety and Nine Hymn Lists by book of Bible Sung by the Gaither Tent Revival Sung by Guy Penrod & choir - The Nelons Words to The Ninety and Nine I relate this story despite the fact that this hymn is found in few hymnals today.  It is an appropriate accompaniment [...]

Hymn Story What a Friend We Have in Jesus Hymn lists by book of Bible Joseph Scriven was a man acquainted with grief.  Born in County Down, Ireland, he aspired as a young man to follow in his father's footsteps as a Royal Marine, but his poor health made that impossible.  Then he fell in [...]

Hymn Story The Lord's My Shepherd Hymn Lists by book of Bible "The Lord's my Shepherd" comes from Psalm 23, often called the Shepherd Psalm—the most beloved of all the Psalms.  People love it for good reason.  It speaks of green pastures and still waters and restored souls.  But more than that, it speaks of [...]

Hymn Story The King of Love My Shepherd Is Hymn Lists by book of Bible This hymn, written by the English musician, Sir Henry Baker, paraphrases Psalm 23 -- without question the most beloved of the psalms and one of the most beloved of all scriptures.  Families often request the reading of the 23rd [...]