10 Hymns with Messages for Christians in Times of Crisis

1. “All Must be Well” by Indelible Grace

My church often sings this song, and I thought of it first after the horrific terrorist attack in Paris several years ago. It has been a comfort to me ever since through difficult times in our world.

Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well

Free and changeless is His favor, All is well

Precious is the blood that healed us

Perfect is the grace that sealed us

Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us

All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well

Ours is such a full salvation, All is well

Happy still in God confiding

Fruitful if in Christ abiding

Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding

All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well

Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well

On our Father's love relying

Jesus every need supplying

Yes in living or in dying

All must be well

Photo Credit: © Pixabay/Eberhard Grossgasteiger

2. “Be Thou My Vision” (old Irish hymn/poem of unclear origin)

This ancient hymn reminds us that our victory is already won and the Lord brings light to our path, even in dark times like these.

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

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won

May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun

Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall

Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Photo Credit: © Pexels/Johannes Plenio

3. “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by Martin Luther

This classic hymn reminds us that, through life’s trials, God is our rock and our fortress.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Boban Simonovski

4. “Abide with Me” by Henry Fancis Lyte

This song is a beautiful call for God to be near in darkness, in loneliness, and when “Earth’s joys grow dim.”

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide,

The darkness deepens, Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears lose their bitterness

Where is thy sting, death? Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, Lord,  abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heav'n's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee

In life, in death,  Lord, abide with me

Modern Version

Classic Version

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang

5. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas Crisholm

This classic hymn waxes poetic on God’s great faithfulness to us. No matter when, where, or what is going on in the world, the Lord remains faithful.

"Great is Thy faithfulness, " O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"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!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

"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!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

"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!

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Xuan Nguyen

6. “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” by Sandra McKracken

This song reminds us of the glories that are coming when we will be with God forever and celebrate with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We will feast in the house of Zion

We will sing with our hearts restored

He has done great things, we will say together

We will feast and weep no more

We will not be burned by the fire

He is the LORD our God

We are not consumed, by the flood

Upheld, protected, gathered up

We will feast in the house of Zion

We will sing with our hearts restored

He has done great things, we will say together

We will feast and weep no more

In the dark of night, before the dawn

My soul, be not afraid

For the promised morning, oh how long?

Oh God of Jacob, be my strength

We will feast in the house of Zion

We will sing with our hearts restored

He has done great things, we will say together

We will feast and weep no more

Every vow we've broken and betrayed

You are the Faithful one

And from the garden to the grave

Bind us together, bring shalom

We will feast in the house of Zion

We will sing with our hearts restored

He has done great things, we will say together

We will feast and weep no more

Photo Credit: © George Desipris/Pexels

7. “Rock of Ages” by Augustus Toplady

This is likely a hymn you’ve heard before, but its truth is timeless - and timely. I especially love the version sung by Fernando Ortega.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy wounded side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress;

Helpless, look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly;

Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When my eyes shall close in death,

When I rise to worlds unknown,

And behold Thee on Thy throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/TFILM

8. “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less" / "The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote and William B. Bradbury

So many of the hymns that have lasted the test of time and remain true for Christians today talk about God as our rock, our hope when things seem to be falling apart.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus' Name

Oh Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil

Oh Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood

When all around my soul gives way

He then is all my Hope and Stay

Oh Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand

When He shall come with trumpet sound

Oh may I then in Him be found

Dressed in His righteousness alone

Faultless to stand before the throne

Photo Credit: i© Stock/Getty Images Plus/Orla

9. “Psalm 62” by Stuart Townend

This moving hymn encourages us to praise God, even in the midst of difficult times.

My soul finds rest in God alone,

My Rock and my salvation;

A fortress strong against my foes,

And I will not be shaken.

Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,

And lies like arrows pierce me,

I’ll fix my heart on righteousness,

I’ll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah,

My Delight and my reward;

Everlasting, never failing,

My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone

Amid the world’s temptations;

When evil seeks to take a hold

I’ll cling to my salvation.

Though riches come and riches go,

Don’t set your heart upon them;

The fields of hope in which I sow

Are harvested in heaven.

I’ll set my gaze on God alone

And trust in Him completely;

With every day pour out my soul

And He will prove His mercy.

Though life is but a fleeting breath,

A sigh too brief to measure,

My King has crushed the curse of death

And I am His forever.

Photo Credit: © Pexels/Jonathan Petersson

10. “He Will Hold Me Fast” by Keith and Kristyn Getty

No matter what you are going through, Christ has promised to hold you fast.

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;

When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.

I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path;

For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;

Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.

He'll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;

Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;

Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.

Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast

'Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!

He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;

For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

I hope these 10 hymns will encourage you through these often dark days; and if they encourage you, perhaps you could share them with someone else who would be blessed by them as well.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Light Field Studios