Hymns for Dummies

When Kristin was planning our wedding she asked what music I would like for the prelude and closing of the service. As a new Christian, I wanted hymns. The problem was I knew next to nothing about them. If memory serves, I picked The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace, and Blessed Assurance. This exhausted my knowledge of hymns. Kristin was gracious and honored what I now view as pretty tacky for a wedding.

How does one overcome such hymnody illiteracy? One way is to make them more accessible, which is basically the idea behind the Indelible Grace CDs.

When I borrowed a couple Indelible Grace CDs from a friend several years ago, I couldn't stand them. But now I listen to them almost everyday. I wouldn't necessary enjoy them during corporate worship, but they can fan into flame moments of personal worship.

I remember a pastor saying that every couple hundred years the Church makes a good hymn. Indelible Grace helps introduce them to poor illiterates like me. Here are the lyrics to one that I've recently grown to love (it's on the lastest CD).

“I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow”

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek, more earnestly, His face.

’Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer!
But it has been in such a way,
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

Lord, why is this, I trembling cried,
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
“’Tis in this way, the Lord replied,
I answer prayer for grace and faith.

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

John Newton, 1779