Hymns of Old
Growing up, I learned many hymns, such as “The Old Rugged Cross,” “In the Garden,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Victory in Jesus.” The words to the songs spoke to my heart, just as the passages of Scripture I had committed to memory. The Bible verses, as well as the hymns, helped me survive a dysfunctional home life during my growing up years. In my adult life, scriptures, hymns, and choruses have sustained me through some difficult situations along the way.
Many of the hymns in the Amish Ausbund, as well as those hymns found in other denomination’s church hymnals, were written to help us understand the beliefs and suffering of those who wrote the hymns of old. These songs are a reminder of their faith, and were often written during times of suffering. They were also written to help us understand God and follow His ways.
The next time you sing a hymn, try to visualize the time period it was written, and the condition in which the writer of the hymn lived. Think about a favorite hymn and what it personally means to you.
It would be hard to pick out a favorite hymn because I love them all and remember them from attending church when I lived at home with my parents. If I had to pick out a favorite I would say Amazing Grace by John Adams. I love it because it speaks of God’s Grace . With out His grace we could not be saved from our sins. It is only because of God’s grace that we have the promise of eternal life. We certainly do not deserve it. Amazing Grace .
It is so true of the old Hymns! Love them!
Thank you, Wanda, for your wonderful books. I find them to be a source of encouragement in this trying time we live in. The faith of the Amish, as portrayed in your novels, is comforting.
I also love the hymns, and love to sing them although I am not much of a singer,
the songs always touch my heart. I feel blessed each and every time.
Love the old hymns, when my mother in law passed just a few years ago she told my daughter in law she wanted her to sing for her. My daughter in law majored in singing in college so Jessica asked her what. Pat was very sick at the time so she couldn’t remember so she just said to me “Number 33” in the Song book in my bible study group. I ask her what it was she was very ill at the time a few days later she said Oh “its “How Great thou Art” so every time I hear the song. I cry now. Good old number 33!
Growing up I could not wait for Bible school to come around, the thought of going and spending time with my friends and learning about Jesus and God was so much fun. I also remember learning new songs to sign at the end of the program; and then I grew up and have not being in church in years, not that I cannot go, but life seems to have us so busy that we often forget the most important things, like if it was not for Jesus’s death we would not even have the chance to live and know living is not something that ever ends. Everyone is right Amazing Grace is a great song, but my favorite of all times is In the Garden, this one has so many special memories for me. See growing up dad was always at the bar and he did not know how to show us kids he loved us, so we were sure that he did not love us; well than dad and us starting going to church and he seemed to change a little bit, but one song hit dad hard and soon we were signing it together” In the Garden”, I have no memories of dad and us ever doing anything together, but the day dad and I sung that song together put a special place in my heart and now every time I hear that song I think of the moment of just dad and me.
Beulah Land is a well-known gospel hymn written by Edgar Page Stites in either 1875 or 1876.It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Beulah is “bride”. Biblical: a name symbolic of the heavenly Zion.
Beulah Land reminds me that I know without a shadow of a doubt where my “true home” is. It’s definitely not on this old world. It speaks of the Christians hope in Heaven. I can’t wait to get to Heaven.
Not only is it my favorite, it also has some personal meaning to me. My aunts name was Beulah. She was a wonderful Christian woman. She has since went home to be with her Lord & Savior in 2003. Everytime I hear that song I think of the meaning and I think of my aunt and I can’t help but cry.
Each hymn holds a different meaning to me and bring back memories of specific events in my life. I was brought up in a loving, Catholic home, yet we were by no means much more than practicing Catholics. This still holds true today. But I still know almost every verse to each hymn and each one reminds me of a special moment in my life. Right now I’m singing some in my head and it’s making me smile, so thank you for that!
I love a lot of the old hymns. We just recently joined a new church and that is one of the things we really liked about it, that they sing a lot of the older hymns. Amazing Grace is my favorite, I used to sing it to my daughter when she was a baby.
I love Onward Christian Soldiers and Victory in Jesus. They bring out the comfort and love for Jesus in me very strongly when I sing them.
My favorite hymns are Amazing Grace and Peace in the Valley. I love listening to old hymns. Makes me feel at peace.
The older hymns have so much more meat in them than the 7-11 (seven words sung 11 times) songs of today. They are often flashed on a screen and if someone wants to sing harmony there are no notes to look at to do so. The hymns seem to be the difference in what is called “contemporary” worship today. I like it best when there is a little of both to satisfy all.
We don’t get to sing the old cherished hymns often enough. Im not fond of the “new” hymns. Don’t have the meaning the old ones have. I don’t like the politically correct words. I really don’t like it when they change Lord,God and My Father to something else. Call me oldfashioned but I know what I like in worship and hymns.
It;s a fact that music of any kind soothes the soul.. With spiritual songs I would say it is doubly so.. To try and picture when and how they came about it a very good idea.. I’m sure it would come about, that alot of them came during times of great sorrow or happiness.. They fill your heart with pictures of the Lord in all His Glory….. God Bless
Thanks for the reminder of the old hymns……I love them too and agree with the others that they are meatier than some of the newer songs but the new ones speak to many as well…….so I guess to each their own. I love Great is Thy Faithfulness as my favorite but I also love, It is Well With My Soul,The Love of God, Jesus Loves Me,.I’d Rather have Jesus,Just a Closer Walk with thee and Sweet Hour of Prayer………….all priceless!
Music is what I look forward to most when I go to church, the message is always good for me, but it is music that makes me smile and the part where everyones voices are singing the songs that have been with us for so many years and are so dearly beloved. The songs that bring us up when we sing them the voices all joined as one singing hyms written so many many years ago……it always brings me happiness.
A special hymn to me is one my family & I sang at church this past Sunday. It is titled ” Holy God We Praise Thy Name”. We learned it in elementary school. It brings me back to a happy time when I first came to really know the Lord. We continue to praise Him and thank him for the world we are living in & helping us be a part of his faithful community of believers.
I also love the older hymns. I like There is power in the blood. The old rugged cross. Just to think what our Savior went through for us.
I like the old hymns that you mentioned. I have been a volunteer church pianist/organist for over fifty years and have played these hymns many times. I never get tired of these hymns. One of my favorite hymns is “It Is Well With My Soul” .
I grew up with these songs too. I love the song I’ll fly away.
When I was young, I loved the month of May. I was raised Catholic. We would sing special songs to our Blessed Mother Mary, mother of Jesus. I can still remember the songs.
I was overjoyed that God put you in my life in Shipshawannee it was a beautiful dinner and you were a inspiring speaker. I can’t wait for your new cookbook. God Bless You. Joan Adis
I grew up with those songs and then when an old song is sung in church now I visualize where I was when I heard it first and remember that it was a very small country church and a father from the city would drive his family up from town pick up all the foster kids that were out front of our house for church then take all of us. He would teach then we would sing songs then my favorite part was we would look up bible versus and whoever was first to find the verse in the bible got to read it. I loved that contest also when it was your birthday you would bring pennies and put them in a small world in front of the 30 or so people. It was great when it was early Sunday mornings as I loved to go.
I love these songs.
Two of these songs were part of the funeral music when my Mom passed away. I always get a special “she is with me” feeling when I hear these songs.
We just talked about this Sunday at church that a lot of the songs were written during and after the depression. I have started looking at what ere the songs were written and it has given such a different meaning to me.
I heard some of these songs.
“Amazing Grace” always fills my heart with God’s love and tears in my eyes.
i love the song Precious Memories. but I love listening to Alan Jackson singing old hymns
“Amazing Grace” & “The Old Rugged Cross” are two of my favorite songs. I insisted that they were both sung at my mom’s funeral in April 2013. My eyes fill up with tears istening & trying to sing both of these songs.
It was suppose to be listening .
Mine would be Amazing Grace. It is the first song I heard when I asked Jesus into my heart. I learned later to sign it and I cry the whole time I sign it.
I love the old hymns like “The old rugged cross” and “In the garden”. “Amazing Grace” is another favorite.
I was blessed to grow up in eastern Kentucky, daughter of Christian parents who were also missionaries. I love hymns, and it would be hard to pick a favorite. However, “It is well with my soul” and “Haven of Rest” were the first two that came to mind today.
I love the old hymnals. My mom’s favorite is Amazing Grace. My favorite is The Old Rugged Cross. There is just something that tugs at my heartstrings when it comes to the old timey hymns. 🙂 I hope you are having a great day.
I love the old hymns, especially Amazing Grace. I grew up in a small church where I learned all the old hymns. The bigger churches today tend to go for the newer songs and I miss the old hymns.
So many hymns have a special place in my heart. Many times, just the right old hymn has popped into my mind at just the right time to help me through something. This always assures me that I am not alone and I praise God for His presence and calming peace. My favorite hymn is “Love Lifted Me.” That is the one being sung when I was drawn to saving grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Wanda: I really enjoyed going to Shipshewana and meeting you and your family too! My sister Lindabelle and I had a grand time listening to your stories and being among friends that like to read the Amish stories you write! I bought your last book about the girl who left her home and by horse back(sidesaddle!) rode far away to minister to the Indians. The book was very good! I have your set of small books also of short stories, the ones that continue on to the next book. I like them also! My own writing is a new start for me! I have always loved to write, and my sister got after me till I started and now I can’t quit! I love it! I pray you continue to be such a great influence on your readers! I really enjoyed getting my picture taken with you! I’ve never done anything like that with one so famous! Thank You for a great evening!
I love the old hymns, they bring back good memories. I love your books about the Amish and their way of life.
Our church does contemporary choruses instead of the old hymns I love and grew up,with. I miss that.
Always enjoy singing the the old hymns at church. The words are so meaningful and what struggles some of the composers had gone through when they wrote the words. Couple of my favorite hymns are “How Great Thou Art” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. When the trials of this life are great if we turn our eyes upon Jesus we can understand a little better how great God is and that He is sheltering us in His arms. Which reminds me of the hymns “Sheltered In the Arms of God” In the Shelter of His Arms”. Amazing Grace is another favorite. Blessings as you continue to write and sharing blogs that reminds us readers of God’s goodness and heritage we have when we stop and ponder things of the pass.
i love amazing grace…if it wasnt for God grace toward us we wouldnt be able to live forever with Him. My sister was dying and she didnt want to give her life to Christ in Hospis I kept praying for God not to let her die til she gave her Life to Him but before she died she said play Amazing Grace at her funeral! I took that as a sign from God that she was a child of the King. Love your books cant always get them but i really enjoy the Amish and the closeness of their families they show so much of God’s way and the caring of others as theirselves. My family was always torn apart with a drinking father so it was very hard to receive Father God as a loving giving just father, but He is teaching me that I am precious and that He wants only the best for me. Your books give me peace and a feeling of belonging to a loving safe family who loves God and His ways.
Those old time hymns always remind me of my mother. She would go around the house doing her chores and singing those hymns. Of course, she heartily sang them at church, also, I was raised in a Christian household where it wasn’t just a Sunday one.
I also love the old hymns. One of my favorates is Pass me not oh gentle saviour. I really enjoy. Reading your books. I am a very big Amish reader
There are so many beautiful hymns. Not just the melody of course, but the message in the words. Wonderful to be reminded.
The old time hymns alway remind me of my mom and us kids going to church onsundays,thank Wanda
Love all of the old hymns. They don’t sing them much any more and that is sad.
One of my favorite old hymns is “Oh How I Love Jesus.” He did so much for me by paying for my sin….how could I NOT love Him?!?
Love your books, and love singing the old hymns in church.
I am going through a period of pain with my Fibromyalgia and needing back surgery. I have just lost my income and insurance. My faith is being tested, but these old Hymns I hold dear! I sing them eveyday and feel a peace descend upon me like never before! Praise be to God!
I sing in my parish choir and love the lyrics of the hymns we sing. I have to be careful
as I sing lest I find myself in tears. I don’t sing well in a tearful state!
Pat C.
I love the old hymns as well. “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art” are two of my favorites. They take me back to my childhood growing up in Lancaster County, PA and remind me of the early days of my growing faith.
I love all of those hymns. Somehow when I am singing them, I don’t really think about their origin-I just know that they feel good singing them. They put joy in my heart.
Amazing grace is also one of my favorites and also the type of song my voice is well suited to. I’m so thankful for all the Lord has done in my life even when I was unsure.
Wanda: May you and your family have a wonderful summer.
Loved the first three books and am looking forward to reading the fourth one, The Hope Chest.
I love the hymn The Old Rugged Cross because it reminds me of my Dad and Mom who have passed away. I hope you have a Happy 4th of July!
My favorite hymn is Great Is Thy Faithfulness. The words really speak to my heart. Our church plays a lot of contemporary songs but they always sign a hymn at the service too. My husband and I also chose this hymn to be sung during our wedding.
I read through most of the comments, having loved hymns since a child, many of the comments touched my heart. I am a recovering alcoholic, sober more than 40+ years now. During some of my most trying times in my alcoholic marriage, trying to raise my children and failing many times, I would put the kids to bed, seek out the piano and play hymns. Each was a sermon to me. I sang along as I played, cried, and had no idea that the Lord was seeking me through song and using the hymns to minister to me. All those mentioned were favorites and still are. My life today is in the Lord, we raised fine sons who love the Lord. I had the privilege of seeing my husband come back to His Father, attend church with us and during his last illness minister to those around him. He truly became the priest in the home, leading his family to the Lord each day in worship. Prayer, the marvelous opportunity of sharing with the Father and knowing that we are heard is probably the most precious gift we have. I am eager for that first meal in heaven eating from the tree of life, sitting with the redeemed, and knowing that Christ is there with his nail-scarred hands and finally joy in heaven to have his children home. We are his creation and he has longed these nearly 7000 years to have us together with him. One commenter said “How Great Thou Art” was her favorite song, I have to add that also, and Bill Gaither’s song, “Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow,” or “I’m Drinking from the Saucer, My Cup Has Overflowed.’ Amen . . . that is how I feel today. My cup is overflowing and has never been empty since I came back to Him. As a child, I would here this benediction from an old time preacher, “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countence upon thee and give thee peace. Num 6:24-26. It still draws me closer and warms my heart when I read that text. I enjoy your books. Keep the Faith . . .
I can still hear my Mom and Dad singing In the Garden, it was such a peaceful moment in our lives, they have been gone many years, but it is still so fresh in my mind,and leaves me with such great memories, thankful for Christian parents.
I just love the old hymns. I was brought up in the church and sang in the choir. My father, who was a minister, would sit in his golden years and sing those good old songs of faith. I myself, sit and sing the songs of my childhood. “It is Well With My Soul” and “In the Garden” will always have a special meaning, as these songs were sang at their services, when they passed.
Wanda, I love the hymns you put in your post. Those are some of my most favorites. I have been attending the contemporary service at my church and love the music, but there are times when I need a good old fashioned hymn sing with favorites like “How Great Thou Art”, Because He Lives, and I Love to Tell the Story. Those hymns just touch my heart. The contemporary worship songs do the same. That music has a way of allowing me to lose myself in the worship without worrying about “where we are” in the service. I love that feeling. Thank you for sharing some of your favorites.
Amazing Grace will always be my favorite hymn. It really speaks to me and makes me tear up when I hear it!
I grew up in a very small country church. We ran about 20 people on a good Sunday and of those people my family made up about half of them (4 grandparents, and the 5 of us.) We sang from our hearts because not many of us carried a tune well but we praised God weekly. My favorite song to this day is “I Love to Tell the Story.” The beautiful story of my Lord and Savior can be spoken as well as sung about. I can only hope that I do both. There are so many wonderful praise songs today and those are good as well but my heart always fills with joy as the old hymns that I sang as a child.
Before my grandma passed away she would always ask for “The Old Rugged Cross” to be played. No one seemed to play it for her or just didn’t know how. I had it played for her funeral. Every time I hear any of the “old” hymns I remember going to church with her or hearing her play them on the piano. Brings her to mind every single time.
My favorite hymn would be “HOW GREAT THOU ART”
I might be odd here, but my favorite hymn is probably “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart”.
I came up in a very hard family, My brother would chock me until I droped. Thank God that their was a christian older couple that brought me to church. Without them I would not be the person I am today. My favorire how great thou art. GOD BLES ALL OF YOU HERE>