Category: Hymn Histories

Hymn Histories : The Church’s one foundation
Written by : Reverend Samuel John Stone in 1866
Tune : Aurelia
Composer : Samuel S. Wesley

A creed is a short statement which expresses and clarifies Christian beliefs, including the nature of God. Some congregations recite them during acts of worship. 

One of the most well-known is the Apostles Creed, though not written by the apostles, and it dates back to around 140 A.D. Creeds are not Scripture but rather a list of the doctrines of faith.

In 1866 the Reverend Samuel John Stone, who was a curate in Windsor, was concerned that, while many of his parishioners used the Apostles’ Creed in church and during their private prayers, they did not always seem to grasp the full meaning of the text because the prose was too academic and seemed disconnected from the average worshipper. So he wrote the ‘Lyra Fidelium’, a group of twelve hymns, one for each article of the Apostles’ Creed. With each hymn he included a short ‘summary of truths confessed’ along with a list of the Scripture passages supporting it. What a wonderful way to approaching hymn writing!

‘The Church’s One Foundation’ was written in support of article 9 of the Creed, which affirms belief in ‘the holy catholic church’ and ‘the communion of saints.’ In this context, the word ‘catholic’ relates to ‘the church universal’ and was the word used in the original version of the Creed. It does not mean the Roman Catholic Church, but rather the church, the body of Christ, as a universal fellowship.

Raising our hearts and voices together in song is a great privilege for us as believers. Its highest purpose is for God’s glory but Christian music can also bind us together, comfort us and teach us. Indeed, songs are recognised as a powerful means of teaching; their melodies, rhythms and rhymes can make words and concepts easier to remember.

God’s people have always sung and their songs have so much to teach us. We can see this as early as Exodus 15 where Moses records the song Israel sang after crossing the Red Sea. It’s a powerful testimony about God’s character and power in delivering his people.

And then, of course, there is the splendid Book of Psalms with its treasury of extraordinary praise, prayers and prophecy. We’ll never go wrong singing from Scripture and it’s worth noting that we also have a wide and varied repertoire of quality Bible-based hymns available to us.

It’s important to select our repertoire with care, particularly in respect of its Scriptural basis and teaching, not least because our repertoire, both personal and congregational, is very powerful. May we offer up a true sacrifice of praise full of worship, adoration and gratitude to our absolutely matchless God.

Footnote : Sadly, the only hymn from the Lyra Fidelium to remain current in terms of usage is ‘The Church’s one foundation’.

Hymn Histories : Great is Thy Faithfulness
Written by : Thomas Chisholm in 1923
Tune : Great is Thy Faithfulness
Composer : William Runyan

Written by: Nicky Donald

This great hymn was written by an ordinary man in an ordinary situation in the ordinary ups and downs of life. By his own admission he didn’t suffer any life-shaking circumstances and even described himself as ‘an old shoe’!

He was born into a poor family in Kentucky and worked as an insurance agent for most of his life. He wrote, ‘My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.’

However, he did enjoy writing poetry and during his life he wrote over 1200 poems, most of which no one will ever hear. But at the age of 57, Thomas sent a few of his poems to William Runyan at the Hope Publishing Company who was particularly moved by ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ speaking as it does of:

• God’s unchanging faithfulness – what a comfort that is in these ever-changing times.
• Creation’s witness to His mercy and love – haven’t we enjoyed being so much more aware of the beauty of the changing of the seasons this year?
• God’s faithfulness revealed in our lives – how wonderful is that – He pardons all our sins, fills us with His peace, assures of His presence, gives us strength, hope, and blessings too numerous to count! Hallelujah!

Runyan set the song to music and it quickly became a favourite with the Moody Bible Institute, and later Billy Graham chose it to be sung in his crusades. Now it’s known all over the world and has been used to encourage millions of Christians to trust in a faithful God. Pretty impressive spiritual fruit from a life insurance agent!

And that’s why Thomas Chisholm’s story is so encouraging. It shows that we don’t need to be incredibly gifted, or attractive or clever or influential for God to use us to proclaim His good news. He can even use an ‘old shoe’!

Whatever challenges, trials or disappointments we might be facing right now, this hymn reminds us that God’s promises are true, that He never changes, that His compassions never fail, and that His faithfulness to us in Christ Jesus is more than good – it’s life-changing!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Hymn Histories : I can only imagine
Written by : Bart Millard

Written by : Nicky Donald

This hymn was written by Bart Millard, founder of the Christian band MercyMe.

It is surprisingly difficult to find the stories behind more modern Christian hymns. Perhaps most stories are only told by others looking back at a hymn writer’s experience? It certainly can’t be because modern writers don’t experience the same grief and pain, comfort and wonder that our older hymn writers did – as we can see from today’s story

Bart Millard says that he wrote his song in only a few minutes but that it took at lifetime of chaos, heartache, abuse and broken relationships to craft which makes it all the more surprising when you hear the words of the first verse, which take us straight to the gates of heaven and asks the question ‘What will it be like the first time we see His face?’
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine

So how did Bart get to that point, from the background he had where to call his home life rough is an understatement? His father physically and verbally abused him on multiple occasions throughout his early life, making his life a misery. The only constants in Bart’s life were his faith and his music, anchoring him in the deep love of a heavenly Father who was so different from his earthly one. But despite that, the weight of a broken relationship with his father haunted him.

Bart left home to follow his love of music and had nothing more to do with his father. It was only when his father was diagnosed with cancer that they eventually were brought closer together. Bart was amazed to see first-hand how dramatically his dad had changed after he too had come to trust in the Lord as his Saviour. He says, ‘I got a front row seat to see this guy go from being a monster to falling desperately in love with Jesus. He was like the godliest man I’d ever known.’

When his Dad died, Bart was left with the assurance that he had gone to a better place where there is no crying, or pain, or tears. This led him to write this song expressing what it would be like when he was reunited with his earthly father where they could rejoice together before their heavenly Father:

‘Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus
or in awe of You be still?


Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.’

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we will be reunited with our loved ones who have died trusting in His redemptive love and that we will be able to sing hallelujahs together before the throne?

And is it not also a challenge to us to be bold and to make sure we share this best news of the gospel with our families, our friends, our work mates so that they too can be there

I can only imagine: Bart Millard