12 Beautiful Hymns and The Stories That Inspired Them
What makes some hymns stand the test of time more than others? You know, the hymns that churches sing every Easter, Christmas, and the other Sundays in between?
Well, sometimes it was the life and faith of the person who wrote it. Other times, it was the solid truths of Christianity that churchgoers relied on to grow in their faith.
Whatever the reason, the words of these hymns encouraged people to put their faith in God, trust in Him despite difficult life circumstances, and memorize key truths about God’s character.
Here are 12 beautiful hymns that encourage and inspire you today!
1. “How Great Thou Art” Carl Boberg (1885)
When life is discouraging and just plain hard, sometimes looking to the beauty of God’s creation revives our souls. The same could be said of the Swedish musician Carl Boberg in 1885.
After being caught in a severe thunderstorm on his way home from church, Boberg was awestruck by the majesty of God’s creation.
Upon returning to his home, he saw the calm sea and felt the gentle breeze of the quiet evening. These simple moments of everyday life inspired Boberg to pen one of the most popular hymns of all time.
Translated from Swedish to English in 1949, “How Great Thou Art” reminds us of the love of God and the awesome power of His creation.
If you love Bible journaling or prayer journaling, this would be a perfect hymn to journal!
2. “It Is Well With My Soul” Horatio Spafford & Philip Bliss (1876)
How someone responds during a tragedy speaks volumes about their faith. But what about people who live through tragedies? Some turn to anger or bitterness, but others, like Horatio Spafford, turn to God.
Spafford was a successful lawyer living in Chicago in the 1870s. It was during this time that his family trials began, starting with the loss of his beloved son to scarlet fever.
The following year, the Spaffords lost a huge part of their fortune in The Great Chicago Fire. Two years later, while his family sailed across the Atlantic to Europe for vacation (Spafford stayed in Chicago for a business emergency), their ship crashed and all four of his daughters were lost. His wife sent a telegram saying “Saved Alone!”
Despite these horrific tragedies, Spafford was able to find comfort and peace in God. He penned the words of this hymn while sailing over the location where his daughters were lost.
“When sorrows like sea billows roll – whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to know, it is well, it is well with my soul.”
3. “I’ll Fly Away” Albert E. Brumley (1929)
One of the most recorded gospel songs of all time, “I’ll Fly Away” is rooted in the struggle of the Great Depression.
Inspired by a young Albert Brumley while picking cotton in his rural hometown, the song was written and published later in 1931. The song was an overnight success – bringing encouragement and hope to people all over the country via radio and Southern gospel concerts.
4. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Robert Robinson (1758)
Robert Robinson was born into a life of privilege in 1736. That all changed however when his father died 5 years later. Due to his mother’s lower class, he was disinherited by his grandfather and left with nothing.
After a rough upbringing, he was sent to London for an apprenticeship around the age of 17. During this time, he attended a revival service (perhaps to make fun of those attending) and was transformed by the words of the speaker, George Whitfield.
Robinson’s life was completely transformed and he began to preach and learn more about the Methodist faith. It was during his 3-year anniversary of accepting Christ that Robinson penned the words in “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”
This beautiful hymn is a wonderful choice for anyone hoping to get closer to God through worship music.
5. “Crown Him With Many Crowns” Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring (1851)
Matthew Bridges, born in 1800, was raised in the church of England.
During his early life, he was a skeptic of the Catholic church until he began to spend time with John Henry Newman. This influence led him to convert to Roman Catholicism for the remaining 45 years of his life.
“Crown Him with Many Crowns” reflects the beliefs and traditions of Bridges’ conversion to Catholicism and is a wonderful addition to any church hymnal. Full of truths about God’s love, sacrifice, and victory over the grave, this hymn is foundational for every believer to know.
6. “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” Charles Wesley (1739)
Did you know? This hymn, written by Charles Wesley, was originally titled, “Hymn for Easter Day.” It’s a fitting name considering the focus on Christ’s resurrection.
With lyrics such as, “Love’s redeeming work is done…fought the fight the battle won,” it’s easy to see how this hymn has been used in churches since the 1750s.
Written during the first year of his conversion to Christianity, Charles Wesley wrote this hymn and 6,500 more throughout his life. Together with his brother, John Wesley, they founded the Methodist church in England and America.
7. “Amazing Grace” John Newton (1779)
Perhaps the most famous hymn of all time, “Amazing Grace” reminds us of God’s ultimate love and care for his people.
It was written by John Newton, a British slave trader turned abolitionist, in 1779. The focus of this hymn is that people can be forgiven and redeemed regardless of their past sins.
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me,” can apply to all of us, regardless of where we are in our faith.
Just as John Newton was saved by God’s amazing grace, we too can be saved and set free from sin when we put our faith in Jesus.
8. “O Happy Day” Philip Doddridge (1755)
“Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day.” – O Happy Day
While most of us recognize this hymn from the Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1967, or the hit movie “Sister Act 2,” the original version was written hundreds of years before.
In fact, Philip Doddridge, a pastor from England, wrote this song as a summary of his sermons — his goal was to help his congregation understand his teachings and grow in their faith.
9. “I Will Follow Him” Franck Pourcel (1961)
What most people recognize as the hugely famous pop song from the 1960s was actually a repurposed hymn!
Written by Frank Pourcel as an instrumental song only, the hymn words were added and sung by Peggy March. The song became popular again in the movie “Sister Act.”
The lyrics speak of devotion to God (or in the pop version, her man): “There isn’t an ocean too deep; A mountain so high it can keep me away, away from his love.” This beautiful hymn is perfect for those seeking to learn how to put God first in their life.
10. “Thine Be The Glory” Edmond Budry (1854)
Another popular song sung at Easter, this hymn was written by Edmund Budry after the death of his first wife.
What was a tragic event turned Budry’s focus onto God and His resurrection from the grave. Later translated from French to English in the early 1900s, the hymn has powerful and encouraging lyrics such as, “To you the glory, O Risen One! Victory for eternity is yours!”
How Do You Know When God is Speaking to You?
Do you know if God is really talking to you and it’s not just your own thoughts? This is an important question with enormous consequences. And how we answer this question can shape everything in our lives from big to small.
The truth is: Hearing God’s voice isn’t always easy. But it is possible. And if you’re wondering, you’re certainly not alone.
Read How Do You Know When God is Speaking to You?
How to Read the Bible (Easy Instructions for Beginners!)
Want to learn how to read the Bible for yourself, but you’re not sure where to start or how to understand it?
Reading the Bible is a lot easier (and way more enjoyable) than you might think. You just need a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
How to Read the Bible (Easy Instructions for Beginners!)
How to Trust God’s Plan – When You Don’t Know What it is
Do you ever struggle to trust God’s plan for you or to wait patiently on His timing?
It’s difficult when you want answers, for the pain to go away, or to step into a new and exciting future.
Thankfully, waiting doesn’t have to be a painful season. It can be an exciting season of growth while you prepare for whatever God has for you next.
How to Trust God’s Plan – When You Don’t Know What it is
How to Memorize Scripture (Quickly and Easily!)
The Bible is FULL of so much wisdom, understanding, and encouragement we want to have with us wherever we go, but most of us don’t have endless hours to sit in prayer, study, and memorize verses as much as we would like.
Instead, we need to learn how to memorize Scriptures quickly, easily, and effectively. Here’s how you can.
How to Memorize Scripture (Quickly and Easily!)
15 Insightful Bible Study Questions (Individuals or Groups!)
Whether you’re a small group leader looking for some interesting Bible topics to discuss, or you’re seeking devotional questions for your personal quiet times, some general Bible study questions are essential for exploring and understanding any part of the Scriptures.
Check out these 15 thought-provoking Bible study questions to help you take your devotions even deeper.
15 Insightful Bible Study Questions (Individuals or Groups!)
