If our hearts are full, our singing will be full.
I grew up surrounded by the rich sounds of church music. My parents, both full-time professionals, were also passionate church musicians. I'll always remember the distinct sound of my dad practicing hymns on his Yamaha Electone organ on Sunday mornings. It was through these moments that I came to love classics like “Rescue the Perishing,” “Day by Day,” and “Blessed Assurance.”
Over the past three decades, my appreciation has only deepened. I've become fascinated with hymns, their history, and the people who wrote them. I've collected hymnals from various denominations and even studied hymnology with one of South Africa’s renowned hymnologists, professor Elsabé Kloppers. From this journey, I've learned that a hymnal is more than just a book of ‘songs’; it’s a collection of powerful prayers, beautiful poetry, and melodies that stir the soul. As Kenneth Osbeck once wrote, "Christian song is the overflow of the Christian heart. If our hearts are full, our singing will be full."
I’m sure that you will agree that music has an incredible power to move us. Martin Luther said, "Music is one of the best arts; the notes bring the text to life," and Augustine believed that "he who sings, prays twice." Ephesians 5:19 reminds us that music both energizes our worship and serves as a channel of God’s life-giving Spirit, highlighting the communal and heartfelt nature of singing within the Christian community. Another well-known quote attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach illustrates his humility and deep faith: "I only play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music."
I look forward to sharing a bit of my passion with you. Each week, I’ll highlight one of our hymns, choral works, or organ pieces, offering historical background and insights into the hymn writer or composer. My hope is that you’ll discover as much joy in these stories as I do in bringing them to you. I’d also love to hear from you—please share your own experiences with hymns or tell us about one that holds a special place in your heart.
Eon Malan
Music Ministry Associate & Organist
American hymn writer Fanny Crosby.
Ruth Carolyn Duck.
Opening Hymn: UMH 419
Title: I Am Thine, O Lord
Tune: I AM THINE
Sheet Music
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), blind since she was six weeks old, wrote over 8,500 gospel songs and is considered a giant of the genre. She started writing at age six and later attended and taught at the New York School for the Blind. "I Am Thine, O Lord" is one of her many collaborations with composer William Doane. In 1874, while visiting his home, the two discussed God's presence in their lives. The conversation inspired Crosby, and she composed the hymn's lyrics that night. The next morning, she recited them to Doane, who wrote them down and composed the music. The hymn's text is based on Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..."
Closing Hymn: UMH 605
Title: Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters
Tune: BEACH SPRING
Sheet Music
Ruth C. Duck, a United Church of Christ minister and liturgical scholar, wrote the hymn "Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters" to accompany the sacrament of baptism. The text is most often paired with the tune BEACH SPRING, which was first published in The Sacred Harp in 1844. The tune, attributed to B.F. White, is pentatonic, using only five notes, which gives it a simple, folk-like quality. This style pairs well with Duck's text, which evokes images of baptism in a river and putting on white garments, connecting to both rural American church traditions and the baptism of Christ.
Sources
Osbeck, Kenneth W. 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, MI: 1982.
Smith, Jane S. and Carlson, Betty. Great Christian Hymn Writers. Wheaton, Il: Crossway Books, 1997.
Smith, William S. Joyful Noise. Franklin, TN: Providence House Publishers, 2007.
Young, Carlton R. Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal. Nashville, TN: 1993.
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-am-thine-o-lord
https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-hymn-explores-baptism-past-present-and-future