Hymn Story LetAll Mortal Flesh Keep Silence Hymn lists by book of Bible The origins of this hymn are lost in the haze of antiquity.  It probably comes from the fifth century and probably originated in the Orthodox churches —but those are simply our best guesses. But regardless of its origins, it continues to [...]

Hymn Story Lead On, O King Eternal Hymn lists by book of Bible When Ernest Shurtleff's seminary class was preparing for their graduation, they turned to Ernest, who had written two volumes of poetry, and asked him to write a hymn for their graduation ceremony.  He wrote "Lead on, O King Eternal" for that occasion. [...]

Hymn Story Just As I Am Hymn Lists by book of Bible Are you ever frustrated that you can't do more for Jesus?  That you don't have anything special to offer? Charlotte Elliott, the author of the hymn, "Just As I Am," certainly felt that way.  She had been a brilliant and vivacious woman until [...]

Hymn Story Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee Hymn Lists by book of Bible The words for this hymn were written by one great man and the music by another.  The words were written by Henry van Dyke, a great 19th Century clergyman, poet, and educator.  A graduate of Princeton University and Princeton Theological Seminary, van [...]

Hymn Story Joy to the World Hymn Lists by book of Bible Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was born to Dissenting parents (people who refused to accept the authority and practices of the Church of England).  As a boy, he sang hymns outside prison walls to encourage his father, who had been arrested for his non-conformist beliefs. [...]

Hymn Story Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts Hymn Lists by book of Bible This hymn, attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, was translated from the Latin in 1858 (a loose paraphrase rather than a strict translation) by Dr. Ray Palmer, a Congregational pastor from Albany, New York.  It would seem almost fair to say that [...]

Hymn Story Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Hymn Lists by book of Bible This hymn was written by Bernard of Clairvaux.  Bernard was born of well-to-do parents in central France -- in what we now know as burgundy wine country -- near Dijon.  He didn't grow up as a spoiled rich kid, though.  His [...]

Hymn Story Jesus Shall Reign Where're the Sun Hymn Lists by book of Bible "Jesus Shall Reign Where're the Sun" is considered by many to be the first great missionary hymn.  It was written at a time when the church was doing little missionary work. Isaac Watts, the author, envisioned a day when Jesus would [...]