“And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives”
(Matt. 26:30)
“...teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
(Col. 3:16)
One of the last things Christ did before His sufferings and death was to lead His followers in a spiritual hymn. I guarantee it was not one that caused their foot to pat, but was one that caused the heart to pant. Ditties about “me, my, and I” can never take the place place of Deity! The book of Psalms was Israel’s “HIM” book.
Sad indeed so little is heard in Evangelical and Fundamental churches of the old hymns, in many cases little or nothing. Especially in the former’s case, where worship teams have taken precedence over congregational singing. In such assemblies we no longer hear congregations singing,“Lustily,” as John Wesley put it.
Whenever a man my age speaks of old times as an example, the newer generation accuses him of being outdated, out of touch, if you will. But I would remind my young friends to read 1 Pet. 3:5, “For after this manner in the old time….” When Peter wanted his present generation to see a truth he used the “old timers,” to do it.
The Bible speaks of both old and new songs. The new songs of the scriptures, I assure you, had as much spiritual meat as the old ones. We’re told we’ll sing both in Heaven (Rev. 5:9; cp. 15:3). Until then Paul admonishes the Church on earth to sing Psalms, hymns,and spiritual songs.
How about this coming Lord’s Day we lift those, slightly used, hymn books in the pew in front of us, and sing some old hymns, “LUSTILY!
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