Hymns of Old

I grew up in a very conservative country church where there were usually no more than 100 people in attendance. The youth group was some what small and the church services were very traditional. When it came to the worship service, it was rigid. Stand up, turn to page ... in your hymnal, sing all 4 verses of the hymn, sit down, prayer, stand up, sing this hymn again, etc, etc, etc. Music was and is a huge piece of my life and a staple in my spiritual life. During my time in the youth group, several other youth members and myself wanted a chance to use our musical talents on Sunday mornings. However the minute a guitar or set of drums were on stage, people in the congregation wouldn't even stand up and sing. Yes, many of our church go-ers were of the older generation, but it was very disappointing and frustrating to not have support. I grew to dislike those hymns, because that was the only thing that was acceptable. I was made when we had to stand up, sing all 4 verse and sit down with what seemed like no heart felt worship. I was annoyed when we sang hymns. I didn't want to sing them. Why couldn't everyone progress in worship? Why couldn't people learn to be okay with modern worship songs and accept worship bands on stage? I grew angry.

It took me a while and time away from that old church to realize that those hymns I knew every word of... I needed in my life. Those 4 verses and that chorus brought so much comfort and meaning for my toughest circumstances. And it was up to me, not everyone else around me, to use those songs for my personal worship. I would sing them when I need God's presence the most. When I lost my Great-Grandpa, over and over I sang "It Is Well With My Soul." When my sister went through a very rebellious time in high school, I sang "I Need Thee Every Hour." On my wedding day, "Be Thou My Vision."When my son was born, "Jesus Loves Me." These hymns are written by men or women that had felt the Holy Spirit, who went through horrible circumstances and needed to express their love for Christ and their need for Him.

Here are some pieces of my favorites:

1. I Need Thee Every Hour
2. I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
   No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
   • I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
     Every hour I need Thee;
     Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
     I come to Thee.
3. I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
   Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
4. I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
   And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
5. Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

1. It Is Well With My Soul
2. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
3. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
4. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
5. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.
6.