As English-speaking Christians, we have a vast array of hymns available to us, and we each have our list of favorites. In my assessment, the best hymns are those that are universal and timeless, speaking to all Christians in all times, places, and situations. They are firmly grounded in Scripture and drawn out of, or toward, the gospel of Jesus Christ. And they are inevitably coupled to a great melody.
Here are my picks for the ten greatest hymns of all-time. Apart from the first, they are in no particular order.
And Can It Be? by Charles Wesley. I begin with what I consider the greatest hymn by the greatest hymn-writer. Wesley’s “And Can It Be?” simply delights in the goodness of God while marveling at his saving grace. It captures every Christian’s experience of wandering, of beholding Christ, of rejoicing in his salvation, and of the great hope of entering his presence at last. “No condemnation now I dread; / Jesus, and all in Him, is mine; / Alive in Him, my living Head, / And clothed in righteousness divine, / Bold I approach th’eternal throne, / And claim the crown, through Christ my own.”
A Mighty Fortress by Martin Luther. It is bold, it is triumphant, it expresses great faith in God and great defiance toward sin and Satan….
I’d throw in “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”, “Lift High the Cross”, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” and “Days of Elijah”. He already mentions “In Christ Alone” but it is very high on my personal list.
I would add “We Rest on Thee” and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” on my list. Very hard to come up with just ten.
Leans a little toward the Protestant side of the tracks 🙂
How about Frederick Faber’s [i]There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy[/i], Henry Lyte’s [i]Abide With Me[/i] or John Henry Newman’s [i]Lead Kindly Light[/i]?
Jeremy–I really love Soul on Fire by Third Day, and Let it Rise by Big Daddy Weave, but I was afraid if I said that on this blog, someone might have a heart attack.