The Story Behind The Hymn

Great idea for a thread!!

 

I have posted this before on another thread, but it bears repeating here. If you are interested in reading about the stories behind hymns, a good resource would be my father's book Songs of Glory: Stories of 300 Great Hymns and Gospel Songs. It is a compilation of his column, "History of Hymns", that appeared originally in The Nashville Banner and finally in The United Methodist Reporter. Its only deficiency is that it does not contain many of what we might consider "Baptist" hymns (e. g., by B. B. McKinney). This is due to the long association of the column with the Methodists. I'm not sure whether the book is available from the publisher (Zondervan), but it available from Amazon.com.

William J. Reynolds worked in the music department at the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville for 25 years, retiring as the head of the department. In 1980, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to join the faculty of the school of church music at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. He retired in 1998 (at the age of 78). He is a hymnologist, a composer, and the author of other books including two hymnal companions. He and my mother have moved back to Nashville.

Tim Reynolds

 

I got a copy of this book about a year ago, I guess. Knowing a little bit about the authors of some of our favorite hymns has really helped me fully express the feelings contained in the songs, and also made me curious to learn songs I might have otherwise overlooked before. Thank you, Tim!

love,

Sopranette

 

Love divine, so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime!
Coming from the heart of Jesus,
Just the same through tests of time.


Refrain
He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.


Like a dove when hunted, frightened,
As a wounded fawn was I;
Brokenhearted, yet He healed me,
He will heed the sinner’s cry.


Refrain


Love divine, so great and wondrous,
All my sins He then forgave!
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His power to save.


Refrain


In life’s eventide, at twilight,
At His door I’ll knock and wait;
By the precious love of Jesus
I shall enter Heaven’s gate.

I got the words off of cyberhymnal.com, but I heard the story behind the hymn elsewhere. We sing this hymn in our Prison ministry often. The author was on death row, awaiting his execution. He got saved. He wrote these words with the realization that though these prison doors may never open, those pearly gates would open, and he would enter in!
Hallelujah!

 

One of my most treasured Christmas gifts last year was a book called Then Sings My Soul--150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories. It is compiled by Robert J. Morgan and published in 2003 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. The format is with the hymn on the left and a history of the hymn opposite on the right page. It contains all the old favorites. The hymn with by far the most poignant history is It Is Well With My Soul. However, my personal favorite is Holy, Holy, Holy!

 

I enjoyed having your father as a professor. I would say that I was the best student he ever had, but modesty prevents it. :laugh:

Seriously, it was inspiring to be taught by such a legendary figure with regards to church music.

So, he's 88 now? How's Dr. Reynolds' health?





Back to the OP...I look forward to being with my materials starting Tuesday...I look forward to commenting...

 

Dad is doing pretty well. He will actually turn 88 in April. He has had a couple of serious strokes, so he has to use a walker. He and my mother still go to church most weeks. I give Dad books when I find something he might like. He can read and analyze what he's read very well. He comes to our monthly Sacred Harp meetings and to our two annual all-day singings. They go to programs at Belmont University and other places. So, they're pretty active. When I was in Fort Worth for the seminary singing a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a load of barbecue from Cousin's over on McCart Avenue. It's Dad's favorite. He really enjoyed it.

Tim Reynolds

 

I purchased a book called " The sings my souls" Vol. 1 & 2.

It has many great older hymns and the great stories behind the songs.

God has lead me to use this bokk many times in messages, bible studies, and teachign in general. It is one of the greatest resources I have bought.:thumbs:

 

I've got a good book of Baptist songs called Hymn Histories by Al Smith [LINK].

The poor man looked close to death over twenty years ago when he visited our church

but it seems he just died recently (2001).

He's the author of the song, "His Banner Over Me is Love".

Rob