THE ENRICHING POWER OF HYMNS

And when they had sung AN HYMN, they went out into the mount of Olives – Matthew 26: 30

HYMNS are central to the lifestyle of Praise. Our meditations on Prevailing Praise would be incomplete without the meditating on Hymns. Hymns play an essential role in conversion, devotion, and revelation. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in PSALMS and HYMNS and SPIRITUAL SONGS, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. The same thoughts are expressed in Ephesians 5:19.  The Lord Jesus knew the value of hymns, hence the singing of a hymn to round off the Communion Table, shortly before He commenced the Journey to the cross.

Some of the greatest messages are preached through the singing of hymns. Soul-winners would testify to the converting power of hymns in the lives of people of all age-ranges. Hymns create the serene and solemn atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to manifest and bless. Holy Hymns and spiritual songs facilitate a spirit of worship, revelation, and testimony. Only God’s Spirit can measure the value of hymns that are sung with the right music, words and sacred musical instruments.  Music becomes a performance when it brings attention to itself. Such is not the nature of true hymns; they draw attention to God!

Hymns draw from the wells of revelation and usually usher in the prophetic. They temper human feelings and create a sense of reverence. The words reverence and revelation are like two sides of a coin. Hymns often reinforce the great truths of Scriptures. If we will listen to the lyrics, hymns teach and minister to our spirits, minds, and emotions. James McClelland said concerning the hymn-writers gone-by: “Most great hymns have a story…In most cases the creation of a hymn was intensely personal…They wrote from the depths of their heart having no idea that one day the Christian Church would sing their songs.” The songs of the righteous are eternal prayers unto our Heavenly Father.

Hymns enrich the spirit and strengthen the soul. How incomplete and empty some Christian meetings are, without hymns! Beloved, let not the hymnbook be far from your reach. Hymns ought to occupy a prominent place in our personal, family, and church Devotions. God uses hymns to usher in a spirit of serenity, beauty and peace, and inspire love and unity in families and groups that worship together. Beyond the congregational singing, it is of great benefit to listen to hymns frequently, memorize and ponder on them, recite and sing them at all possible moments – as you work, play, and travel – and partake of their spiritual enrichment and nourishment.