Before I begin, I would like to state that these are my preferences, and it is OK (even good) to have preferences in congregational worship. However, those preferences can very easily become idols. We should cherish the songs that have influenced our beliefs, our doctrine, and our hearts while remembering that they are simply what we prefer. If we elevate our preferences to “this is the best way to worship God” status, then we have missed the point entirely.
For each hymn, I’ve included the lyrics that have meant the most to me personally. I’ve also included a YouTube link to a version of the song that I enjoy. This list is in no particular order, just a list of 10 of my favorites.
I’d love to hear from you - what hymns would you have on your 10 favorite hymns list?
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
If I had to choose my favorite, this would be it. A beautiful song put to a gorgeously simple melody. It is the song I sing to my daughter while putting her to bed. It magnifies the great love of our God while asking him to bind our ever wandering hearts to Him. Oh, and for the love, when you sing it, leave Here I raise my Ebenezer in the lyrics.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
All Sons and Daughters
King’s Kaleidoscope (if you want to get crazy)
It Is Well With My Soul
A song of peace for believers in different seasons. I know several believers who have clung to the hope found in this song as they endure the trials of life. My heart is often filled with peace, assurance, and hope when I sing this hymn with other believers.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
The Gaither Band (Oh yes, I went Gaither. Guy Penrod brings it! If you don’t get goosebumps, you may need to check your pulse.)
Be Thou My Vision
I need songs like this to focus my mind, my heart, and my affections back onto God. The lyrics remind me of the new identity I have in God and that my desires are no longer on worldly things, but on Godly. The band Ascend the Hill does a great job of capturing the spirit and lyrics of this song while putting it to a modern musical style and adding a chorus.
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.
Ascend the Hill
Holy Holy Holy
This song reminds us of the perfect, holy God that we worship. I imagine it would be rather difficult to find a “Top Ten” list without this song on it. Interestingly though, very few versions of this have been recorded. I would guess because it is difficult to duplicate how beautiful it sounds when a congregation is singing to the music of an organ.
Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Keith Green (Talk about having a high vocal range)
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery
It’s a bold move to put a hymn that was written in 2013 on my list, but here it is. It is one of the best written modern hymns today as it is filled with deep, rich, doctrinal lyrics that explain in a new way the truths of the gospel. This fresh reminder of the gospel put to the tune of a hymn is a beautiful blend of old and new musical and lyrical styles.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
Matt Papa
In Christ Alone
I’m confident this Getty hymn will last many generations. The only problem is that it may have been sung too much when it first came out (which is a good problem to have I suppose). It was the first well known modern hymn and has spurred many others to be written. It reminds us of the gospel and what it means to us. Also, this was the song we used to begin our wedding ceremony, and I will always recall the moment I was able to sing these words with my bride as I was marrying her.
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Keith and Kristyn Getty (Kristyn’s accent doesn't hurt as an introduction to this song)
Jesus Paid It All
Kristian Stanfill’s version of this hymn brought it back alive for me. The lyrics remind us of our inability to save ourselves and how we owe our lives to Christ because of what He did on the cross. I can’t help but deepen my appreciation for His selfless act on the cross while singing this song.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat
Kristian Stanfill
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
This song grounds my desire to want more (even from God). The lyrics (combined with a moving tune) remind me that God is faithful and I truly have everything I need in Him.
“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!
Israel Houghton
The Solid Rock
The lyrics to this hymn remind us of the firm foundation we have in Jesus Christ. It is also a reminder that all other foundations are like sand compared to the rock that is Christ. The lyrics that encourage me the most are in the fourth verse, which is a reminder of the confidence we have in our future because the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us (believers).
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.
Matt Boswell
Amazing Grace
The famous John Newton hymn which has transcended generations, languages, races, and cultures wraps up my 10 favorite hymns list. It has been a song that has bursted out of the Christian church culture into the mainstream culture (as one of the most recognized songs in the English language), and it has offered inspiration and hope for many. The origin of this song is fascinating, and if you are curious you should do some research. I believe the popularity of this song speaks to our inward longing for grace and our hope for a redemptive present and future.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
There are about a million different versions of Amazing Grace (which is not surprising), but I’ll go with this version and let the tune speak for itself.
Lots of bagpipes
