Nothing like those old-time hymns
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Faith Fitness
Bro. Sam Kaufman
There is something about the old-time Blue Hymnal that reaches way down to the soul.
It could be the bygone era in which most of the hymns were written. They are special, to say the least, and still speak volumes to the masses.
Countless souls have been impacted by the hymns and thousands upon thousands of lives touched by the lyrics and melodies contained in the traditional Blue Hymnal. I’m thankful we stick by those songs during our worship services.
It’s not that there is nothing else out there now – some of the modern Southern Gospel artists are very good. But the songs from the Blue Hymnal seem timeless and tried and true.
I listen to a Southern Gospel station from our satellite radio in the van. Many of those songs are a blessing. But I heard some content recently that I disagreed with. A modern gospel artist said she was being ministered to and was told that the best gospel songs have yet to be written.
That could be true – some very good ones could be on the way. But in my mind, it would be difficult to even duplicate what we have in the Blue Hymnal.
The alphabetical index provides a page listing of the songs. When I go down the list, it becomes readily apparent that these hymns are foundational-type worship songs. They have a way of touching the soul like no other.
Tears have flowed and hearts melted by these hymns.
Start in the index at the letter “A” and see what I mean. Right there near the beginning is “Amazing Grace.” It’s got to be one of the all-time best.
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me; I once was lost, but now I’m found; Was blind but now I see.”
See what I mean.
Moving on to the letter “B” in the index, you come across “Blessed Assurance.”
“Perfect submission, perfect delight; Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above; Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. This is my story, this is my song…”
These hymns are filled with inspiration from above!
Another great hymn pops up when moving to the letter “C.” This time, it is “Come Unto Me.” Remember that one?
“Hear the blessed Savior calling the oppressed; Oh ye heavy-laden, come to Me and rest; Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear; Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care. Come unto me, I will give you rest.”
It just keeps going with my “D” selection. Any guesses what it might be? Here’s a hint: We all need a deeper experience with the Lord. The song is “Deeper, Deeper.”
“Deeper, higher, every day in Jesus; Till all conflict past; Finds me conqu’ror,’ and in His own image; Perfected at last; Oh, deeper yet I pray.”
The list goes on and on. There is a lot to choose from with the letter “E.” I’m going with a happy song here. The one I chose was “Everybody Will be Happy Over There.”
“There we’ll meet the One who saved us and who kept us by His grace; And who brought us to that land so bright and fair; We will praise His name forever as we look upon His Face; Everybody will be happy over there; Everybody will be happy; will be happy over there; we will shout and sing His praises; Everybody will be happy over there.”
It is a blessing to simply hear lyrics from these hymns. Those who know them will sing along in their hearts and minds.
What is amazing about these hymns is that God brings them back to your attention a day or two after you hear and sing them. That always seems to be the case with me, anyhow.
When these hymns are part of song service, they later return to my mind on a Monday or Tuesday – just when I need them. The lyrics and melodies provide strength and encouragement.
The Word of God tells us to keep those types of melodies in our hearts.
Ephesians 5:18-19 state, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”