Hymn Story: My Faith Looks up to Thee
My Faith Looks up to Thee was written by Ray Palmer. He was born in Rhode Island in 1808 and is often considered to be one of America’s best nineteenth-century hymn. He was a popular…
Hymn Story: What wondrous love is this?
What wondrous love is this? Was published in 1811 and considered a Christian folk hymn. It was very popular during the Second Great Awakening. It was first published in the camp meeting songbook A General…
Hymn Story: Haven of Rest
The Haven of Rest was written by H. L. Gilmour. Gilmour was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1836 and emigrated to America as a teenager. He married Letitia Pauline Howard in 1858. After serving in…
Hymn Story: Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me
Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me was written by Julie Katharina von Hausmann. She was born in 1826 in Riga {now in Latvia}. Her father was a teacher and after he went blind, she…
Hymn Story: The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life, How Sweet the Fruit comes from the account of the Tree of life as recorded in the book of Genesis. I’ve been unable to uncover any information on who wrote the…
Hymn Story: These Are the Days of Elijah
These Are the Days of Elijah is another popular Contemporary Christian song. It was written by Robin Mark and copyrighted 1997 by Daybreak Music Ltd. The song refers to the Old Testament prophet, Elijah.
Hymn Story: You Are My King
You Are My King (Amazing Love) was written by Billy James Foote. Phillips, Craig & Dean released it on the 2001 album Let My Words Be Few. The chorus uses lyrics and melody from Charles…
Hymn Story: Revelation Song
Revelation Song is adapted from Revelation 5. The song was written by Jennie Lee Riddle. It was first released on May 5, 2009 on the album Fearless by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Band member Randy…
Hymn Story: Waymaker
Waymaker is a contemporary worship song that is very popular right now. It was written by Nigerian gospel singer Sinach. She released the song as a single and music video on December 30, 2015. The…
Hymn Story: I Am Forever Who I Am
I Am Forever Who I Am was written by Kurt Von Kampen and Christopher Ahlman and has a 2002 copyright with Concordia Publishing House. The text conveys the message found in Psalm 46 and refers…
Hymn Story: Earth and All Stars
Earth and All Stars was written by Herbert Brokering. He was born in 1926 and a Lutheran pastor, teacher, author of over 40 books, poet and hymn writer. He died in 2009. The tune to…
Hymn Story: Gods Own Child
God’s own Child was written by Erdmann Neumeister. in Germany in 1671. He went on to serve as a pastor and assistant superintendent in the Eckartsberg district. In 1704, he went to tutor the daughter…
Hymn Story: Or Thy Strong Word did Cleve the Darkness
Thy Strong Word did Cleve the Darkness was written by Martin H. Franzmann. Franzmann was born in 1907 Minnesota and died in March 1976 in Cambridge, England. He wrote numerous books and hymns. He was…
Hymn Story: The King of Love My Shepherd Is
The King of Love My Shepherd Is was written by Henry W. Baker. Baker was born in London, England in 1821. He took Holy Orders in 1844 and he wrote many hymns. One of his…
Hymn Story: Thine is the Glory
Thine is the Glory is often performed as an Easter song. The hymn was written by Edmond Budry, a Swiss Protestant minister. The lyrics are set to the tune “See, the Conqu’ring hero comes” from…
Hymn Story: Lift High the Cross
Lift High the Cross is a 19th Century English hymn. It was written by George Kitchin and altered by Michael R. Newbolt in 1916. It has been suggested the hymn was inspired by Constantine the…
Hymn Story: Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts is attributed to Joseph Brackett, a member of the Alfred Shaker Village. It was composed in 1848, and relatively unknown until Aaron Copeland used the melody in the score of Martha Graham’s ballet…
Hymn Story: No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet
No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet was written by Timothy Dudley-Smith. The hymn was copyrighted in 1984 by Hope Publishing Company. It is set to the tune Kingsfold which is an English folk tune dating…
Hymn Story: We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God
We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God was written by Stephen P. Starke. He was born in 1955 and described as “a prolific hymn writer”. In the notes below the song it says “This…
Behind the Hymn: Awake my heart with gladness
Awake my heart with gladness was written by Paul Gerhardt. The song was translated by John Kelly. Gerhardt was born in Gräfenheinichen, Saxony, Germany in 1607. He studied theology and wrote many hymns including Now…