Have you ever read the Bible, and certain verses and passages cause you to sing a hymn of praise? That’s a worthy test of song lyrics. Melodies may charm us, but the Word of God, as engulfed in a hymn’s lyrics, fill us with praise for our Father in heaven.
Many varied settings allow believers to sing hymns of praise to the Lord, showing our love for and worship of God. Everywhere from Sunday mornings with the church to quiet times before the Lord and praising and a recorded hymn prepare our hearts for worship.
As we look into some well-known and many lesser-known hymns of praise, we’ll see a striking reality that the best and most worshipful songs are those which draw us out of self and toward God. Another enduring attribute of a well-done hymn of praise is shown by how many biblical passages it uses.
10 Classic Hymns of Praise
1. Amazing Grace
Celtic Woman Sings Amazing Grace, and It's Simply Amazing! from celtic-woman on GodTube.
This hymn appears on most favorite classic hymns lists. “Amazing Grace” captures a stunning mix of humanity’s need and God’s provision.
The lyrics were written by John Newton (1725-1807). It is commonly known Newton once captained a slave-trading ship. A lesser-known fact is John Newton was held captive for a time by a slave trader. Once in ministry, Newton wrote over 50 hymns, many with William Cowper. In the U.S. Library of Congress, the melody writer is listed as “unknown.” Still, legend holds Newton’s tune for “Amazing Grace” found its roots in a West African Sorrow Chant he may have heard emanating from the slave holds of the ships he piloted.
Scripture references abound for this hymn, including Genesis 15:1, Exodus 15:6, 1 Samuel 7:12, 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, and Psalm 3:1-6.
2. He Will Hold Me Fast
'He Will Hold Me Fast' - Beautiful New Song from Keith and Kristyn Getty from universalmusicgroup on GodTube.
Ada R. Habershon and Robert Harkness wrote this hymn in 1906; it speaks of Christ’s sufficiency through anything and everything. It fell out of regular use until the mid-twentieth century. It’s recently had a second resurgence as worship leaders such as the Gettys and Selah include it in their repertoire.
The main Scripture reference for this hymn of praise is printed on the original sheet music: Psalm 139:10.
3. Jesus Paid it All (I Hear the Savior Say)
Alvina M. Hall wrote this hymn in 1878 on the flyleaf of The New lute of Zion, a collection of sacred music. The author pondered the cross’s meaning while sitting in the choir loft of her church, which led to the words of this hymn.
The Scripture references in this hym are many, including Isaiah 1:18; Ezekiel 11:19; Mark 10:45; Ephesians 1:7.
4. Come, Ye Sinners, Poor, and Needy
Joseph Hart wrote this hymn in 1759. Hart was passionate in his repentance, as this hymn displays.
Numerous Scripture references are found for this hymn of praise and repentance, including Isaiah 45:22, Matthew 5:6, Mark 2:1-17, John 6:35-39, Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 1:9.
5. Give Me Jesus – (Also known as "And I Heard the Mourner Say")
Reverend Jacob Knapp originally published this hymn in 1845. It later became popular among African-American congregations. Fanny Crosby published a derivation of the hymn and titled it “Take the World, But Give Me Jesus.” The hymn gained further prominence through versions sung and arranged by Vince Gill and Fernando Ortega.
The hymn’s main Scripture reference is Matthew 16:26.
6. How Great Thou Art
Stunning Performance of How Great Thou Art by Wynonna Judd from theremix on GodTube.
Chances are if a person hears just the melody of this hymn, the lyrics will be on his heart. It was originally written in 1885 as a Swedish poem by Carl Boberg. After escaping a thunderstorm, Boberg relished the fresh air and tranquility. When he heard nearby church bells ringing, his soul was stirred, and he wrote the lyrics of what was then named “O Store Gud.” The tune was that of an anonymous Swedish folk song, and later twentieth-century iterations included those from Germany and Russia. The English version appeared in 1925, and 25 years later, British missionary Stuart K. Hine gave us the beloved version with its current title.
This song’s list of Scripture references is long and includes Genesis 1:1-25, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 145:1-5, John 1:3, Colossians 1:11-20, and Revelation 15:3-4.
7. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Edward Perronet wrote the lyrics for this hymn in 1780, while the tune is based on “Coronation” by Oliver Holden. Perronet was a preacher’s son and well acquainted with the Wesleys. This hymn magnifies Christ’s majesty and encourages us to make much of Him.
A long list of Scripture passages inspired or get referenced in this hymn, including but not limited to Genesis 3:1-15, Job 38:7, Psalm 132:18, Isaiah 6:2-3, and Ephesians 1:4-6.
8. Be Thou My Vision
'Be Thou My Vision' - Camille Nelson Plays Irish Hymn from camillenelson on GodTube.
This hymn comes from the legend of St. Patrick, a fifth-century missionary to Ireland. In the eighth century, monk Dallan Forgaill wrote the poem “Rop tú mo Baile” (Be Thou My Vision) in remembrance of St. Patrick’s faith and work. Mary Elizabeth Byrne translated the poem into English in the early twentieth century, and Eleanor Hull put the text into hymn verses. The main theme of the hymn of praise is that God would be our “vision” above all else in our lives.
The key Scripture references in this hymn are Proverbs 2:1-5, Isaiah 60:19-22, Matthew 17:1-9, and John 1:14.
9. His Eye Is on the Sparrow
Ethel Waters His Eye Is On The Sparrow from sheepwoman on GodTube
Civilla D. Martin wrote the lyrics, and Charles Gabriel the tune to this well-known and beloved hymn from 1905. Martin reportedly penned several hundred hymns, although this may be the most successful one. It is one of the most often recorded hymns of all time. According to Discipleship Ministries,
“Civilla Martin describes the context out of which the hymn was born: ‘Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s response was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.’”
The hymn references many Bible verses, including Matthew 6:25-39 and John 14:1. Supporting passages include Psalm 37:23-24, Psalm 84:5, and 1 Peter 5:7.
10. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come Thou Font of Every Blessing from church-ny-fulton-first-united-methodist-church on GodTube.
British Baptist hymn writer Robert Robinson was greatly influenced by the preaching of George Whitefield. As with many songs, a bit of the writer’s autobiography helps to understand this hymn. Robinson lived a somewhat debauched life before he became acquainted with Whitefield. This hymn of praise was written by Robinson in 1758, three years after his conversion, and focuses on God’s abundant grace. At first, many hymnals omitted the fourth stanza, which reads,
“O that Day when freed from sinning,
I shall see thy lovely Face;
Clothed then in blood-washed Linnen [sic]
How I’ll sing thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransom’d Soul away;
Send thine Angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless Day”
The hymn’s Scripture references include 1 Samuel 7:12, Romans 8:12-14, Ephesians 2:1-22, and Revelation 22:1-2, 4.
10 Contemporary Hymns
Can we call contemporary songs hymns? Since a hymn is broadly defined as a religious song or poem of praise to God, of course we can! Whatever we call them, whether worship songs or praise songs, they are still hymns of praise to our great God. Scripture references are noted where the artist has included them.
1. All Glory be to Christ
Sometimes a song is repurposed, and this hymn’s tune is a well-known song sung on New Year’s Eve—Auld Lang Syne. This rechristened secular favorite by Dustin Kensrue, with the arrangement by Kings Kaleidoscope, was released in 2012 and has become a favored hymn throughout the year. Kensrue has been quoted as saying, “the idea is that—especially at the beginning of the new year—we would dedicate all our efforts to bringing glory to Jesus Christ, to acknowledge that anything else would be of no value, and to celebrate our redemption in him.”
While Scripture references have not been noted for the poem, it certainly references the ideas of Genesis 15:1, John 4:10, John 18:37, 1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 22:16.
2. Is He Worthy?
Written by Andrew Peterson in 2018, this hymn of praise has been covered by Shane and Shane and Chris Tomlin, bringing it greater renown. Peterson wrote the song to bring glory to Jesus. Ironically, an unintentional misstep in filming the song's music video cast a spotlight on that point. Peterson said his intention for the song was that “God’s intention may be broader and better—his intention may be to use my lack of wisdom and foresight to open the doors for reconciliation, repentance, healing, and mercy. As my friend said on the phone yesterday, ‘A hundred deaths, a million resurrections.’”
Scripture references for the hymn include Revelation 5.
3. Revelation Song
Written by Jennie Riddle in a time when she cried out to God amidst a mountain of diapers and the need to prepare suppers for her family (1999). According to Praise Charts, she had previously heard “I Hear Angels” by Garrit Gustafson and often sang it to her children. But she longed to see and hear the symphony of praise that surrounds the Lord. She prayed to be able to write such a song of praise, and the result is “Revelation Song,” based on Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4.
Jennie introduced it to her church, and eventually, the song made its way to Kari Jobe, whose rendition brought the hymn national notice (and praise to God).
4. At The Cross (Love Ran Red)
This hymn of praise was written by Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, and Matt Armstrong, simply to share the gospel.
5. Only Jesus
Casting Crowns originally performed this song, written by Mark Hall and Matthew West. The hymn is Hall’s desire that people remember what Jesus did, not him.
6. In Christ Alone
The Booth Brothers - In Christ Alone (Medley) [Live] from the-booth-brothers on GodTube.
Keith Getty wrote the music and Stuart Townend wrote the lyrics for this hymn in 2002. Townend says the song’s theme is the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and its implications for us.
This hymn can be seen as not just referencing particular Bible verses but the core message of the four Gospels.
7. Our Great God
Fernando Ortega and Mac Powell wrote this hymn in 2002, highlighting God’s unchanging, unfathomable nature and mystery.
Its Scripture references include Isaiah 40:28, Ephesians 3:4, and Hebrews 13:8.
8. Behold Our God
Stephen Altrogge wrote this in 2011, along with Jonathan Bar, Meghan Baird, and Ryan Baird, about the sovereignty of God.
Its Scripture reference include Isaiah 40:12-14.
9. All I Have is Christ
Father-and-son songwriters Bob and Jordan Kauflin wrote this hymn in 2008. They said the theme is “the joy we have in Jesus that is greater than any joy in this world. That led me to try and describe the futility of our life without Jesus: “I once was lost in darkest night.’”
Its Scripture references include Isaiah 53:4-6, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:1-3, Philippians 1:20-21, Colossians 3:4, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 John 4:19, and 1 Peter 2:24.
10. How Vast the Love
Joel Sczebel, Lacy Hudson, and Marc Willerton wrote this hymn in 2019. This hymn of praise encourages us to see the beauty of Christ and then respond in faithfulness.
It Scripture references include Matthew 11:28-30, John 19:30, Romans 8:35, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:13, Ephesians 2:14-16, Ephesians 3:18-19, Colossians 3:3-4, Hebrews 7:26, Hebrews 8:1-2, Hebrews 10:13, Hebrews 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:24, 2 Peter 1:9, 1 John 1:7, and 1 John 1:9.
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