Behind the Hymn: The Way of the Cross Leads Home
The Way of the Cross Leads Home was written by Jessie B. Pounds. Jessie Hunter Brown was born on August 31, 1861 in Hiam, Ohio. She is described as having been a “poorly” child in…
Behind the Hymn: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
God tells us that he will use our trials and tragedies for his good. I Will Sing of My Redeemer was born of tragedy, but had the lasting effect of good. I Will Sing of…
Behind the Hymn: He Lives
Can you imagine what the disciples and followers of Jesus must have said as word spread that he was not in the tomb? The words, “He lives” seem to be one option that is plausible.…
Behind the Hymn: Are you washed in the Blood
Are you washed in the Blood was written by Elisha Hoffman. Elisha Hoffman was born on May 7, 1839 in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Presbyterian minister and composer of over 2,000 hymns and 50…
Behind the Hymn: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
When I survey the wondrous cross is a great song to concentrate on as we near Easter and remember the true meaning of the season. Jesus death on the cross is the greatest gift God…
Behind The Doxology: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
The Doxology is a short hymn many of us that grew up in church sung during the offering. Today some churches have moved away from this tradition while others continue to maintain this tradition.…
Behind the Hymn: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms was published in 1887. The lyrics were written by Anthony J. Showalter and Elisha Hoffman. The music was also written by Showalter.…
Behind the Hymn: Standing on the Promises
“Standing on the Promises” was written and composed by Russell Carter in 1886. Carter was a professor at the time at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, a school in which he had been a member of…
Behind the Song: Kum ba Yah
Kum ba Yah is a spiritual song dating back to at least the 1920s, when the earliest known recordings took place. According to the Library of Congress the two earliest versions were both collected in…
Hall of Faith: Noah, offered Hope
We have all heard of the great flood. In every culture there is a story about the flood that covered the earth. To this day, many still try to find the Ark, which is believed…
Behind the Hymn: Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Love Divine All Love Excelling was written by Charles Wesley. Charles Wesley was born in 1707 Lincolnshire, England to Samuel and Susannah Wesley. He was the youngest of eighteen children {although nine of his siblings…
Behind the Hymn: Rescue the Perishing
Rescue the Perishing was written by Fanny Crosby in 1869. This hymn became the theme song for the home mission’s movement. Crosby was attending weekly meetings by the interdenominational New York City Mission in July…
Behind the Hymn: Pass It On
Recently, I heard Dr. David Jeremiah discuss the origins and popularity of this song and it sparked my interest. So, I thought this would be a wonderful time to explore this beautiful hymn. Kurt Kaiser,…
Behind the Hymn: All the Way the Savior Leads Me
All the Way the Savior Leads Me is one of the songs that runs through my mind at times. The hymn was written in 1875 by Fanny Crosby. “A frequently told story about this hymn…
Behind the Christmas Song: We Three Kings
In honor of Epiphany, which we just celebrated, I thought We Three Kings would be a great song to take a closer look at. We Three Kings describes the journey of the Wise Men to…
What the Bible Says About Music
As we wrap up our series on music next week,let’s discuss what does the Bible say about music? Ephesians 5:19 “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your…
Behind the Christmas Song: Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Sweet Little Jesus Boy finds it’s roots in the African-American spirituals. The song was written by Robert MacGimsey. According to legend, MacGimsey left the midnight Christmas Eve service he’d been attending that cold night in…
Behind the Christmas Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel
The words and music of “O Come O Come Emmanuel” developed separately. The original text, which was in Latin, was first documented in 1710 in Germany. The tune has it’s origins in 15th Century France.…
Behind the Christmas Song: What Child Is This?
What Child is This? was written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 in England. Dix worked as a manager for an insurance company before being afflicted with a severe illness that left him bedridden and…
Behind the Christmas Carol: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was a Christmas poem written by Edmund Sears. This is a Christmas Carol that doesn’t focus on the holy family, but the song of the angels. Luke 2:14 says…