Singing Hymns

This article is part of a series looking at Finding the Fear of God and how we have perhaps become too familiar with Him. Please click here to read the introductory article and to find links to other articles in the series.

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Although I haven’t updated this series for over eighteen months, I am so pleased to be returning to it. I am determined to develop a fuller understanding of who God is and know him better. In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the fighting between Israel and Hamas, I am in desperate need of a mighty God who can act to end suffering and conflict. A cuddly God is not enough for me right now.

I wonder if you might feel the same way

Almost everyone I have spoken with recently fears for the future, and I long to bring them hope. Can singing hymns help me do this? I think so, although, unfortunately, I’m not suggesting they will suddenly bring about widespread peace just like that. However, I have found that they are beneficial in expanding my awareness of God and his presence in the church.

Hymns are serious

Unlike gospel and modern worship music, which I enjoy, a hymn takes more effort to sing. The verses are often packed full of long words, some of which are archaic. There’s a richness to them, though, and when I concentrate on their words, I find myself fully absorbed. Sometimes, when singing modern worship songs, I can find my mind wandering in church since the music is more soporific.

We are part of history

Those same archaic words that crop up in hymns remind me that I am part of the continuing body of Christ. The church lives from generation to generation, and I am so grateful to all those Christians who came before me (read about one person who impacted my life profoundly). The church has survived for over 2000 years and endured throughout all manner of wars and conflicts. It is strong enough to withstand all current disputes, and I am confident it will survive now. There will always be other Christians I can turn to for hope and support.

Alone or with others?

In my attempt to use hymns to broaden my view of God, I have been listening to them at home on my own and, at times, have sung them with others. As I found with covering my head, the effects of listening to hymns by myself were short-lived and not much more than a gimmick. However, singing hymns with others is incredible, and I feel sure it is a foretaste of heaven (Rev 7:9-12). When I worship with others (singing hymns or other praise songs), I feel part of something much bigger than myself. It’s hard to describe; there’s a sense of family but also might and unity, much like I imagine an army might feel. Not only can I hear the person next to me singing, which feels intimate, but I can also hear the whole crowd, which feels powerful. The sound comes from every person, and I am surrounded by worship.

You can sing too

As we sing with others, we join a cloud of witnesses from every nation who will sing together in heaven. I would love you to experience the joy of singing with others on earth, too. If possible, I hope you can join in with a worship service wherever you live. If that’s not possible, then YouTube has plenty of videos of choirs singing hymns you can sing along to. I recommend viewing the Big Sing at the Royal Albert Hall for a mix of old and new songs and the sense of a large crowd joining their voices together in unity.
I always feel more encouraged and hopeful after having sung hymns with a diverse group of worshippers, and I’m reminded that God is still at work among the nations today, drawing people to himself. As a result, I have greater boldness to pray for an end to conflict and wars. Our God is big enough to do this, and when His presence is with us, his church is strong and beautiful.

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Please click here to return to the Finding the Fear series of articles.

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