"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:1-2; From the earliest days of the church, the singing of hymns has been an integral part of Christian worship. In the book of Acts we find Paul and Silas "singing hymns to God" (Acts 16:25) while chained in the Philippian jail. It was also the apostle Paul who admonished believers with these words: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the LORD, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:19-20).
In centuries past, singing hymns was an important means for teaching Christian truth in a church that was largely illiterate. Even so, hymn singing was and is far more than just a way of disseminating knowledge. It is a means for all believers, educated or uneducated, great or lowly, to express praise to their Creator and Savior. It is a way for all of us to communicate with God using more than just words.
On our "History of Hymns" channel you will meet the hymnwriters and discover how God's work in their lives has left the legacy of hymns for us to share. And as you worship through this treasury of hymns, look forward to the day when all believers -- past, present and future will join in one great chorus around God's throne.
