The One Year Book of Hymns: 365 Devotions Based on Popular Hymns

Since last fall, on most mornings while enjoying a period of quiet reflection with my Bible and other books, I often lingered in my favorite chair until a hymn came to mind. Then with earbuds in, I searched online for a suitable version of the hymn.I listened to the hymn and would often sing or hum that hymn throughout the day. Most mornings, though sleepy-eyed, my first thought would be, “I wonder what my hymn of the day will be?”Now…I have a new approach. I’m loving this new daily practice and wanted to share it with you. Tyndale’s book is wonderful:“The One Year® Book of Hymns: 365 Devotions Based on Popular Hymns.”Now, most mornings, I turn to the hymn for the day’s date and enjoy reading:• All four verses of the daily hymn• A brief bio/inside story of the hymn writer (sometimes a devotional thought)• A related Scripture verseONE DAY, ONE PAGE, ONE HYMN. For example, the hymn for July 19 is “Rock of Ages,” written by Augustus Toplady (1740-1778), and the Scripture is Psalm 62:5-7.Augustus Toplady was converted under a Methodist evangelist during his university years, but “Though impressed with the spirit of Methodism, he strongly disagreed with the Wesleys’ Arminian theology and waged a running battle with them through tracts, sermons, and even hymns.”We read further that Toplady “…died of tuberculosis and overwork at the age of thirty-eight, two years after he published his own hymnal, in which ‘Rock of Ages’ and Charles Wesley’s ‘Jesus, Lover of My Soul’ (July 17) were placed side by side.”Browse the hymns and the short devotional readings and you’ll deeply appreciate those hymn writers who have already crossed the finish line—and enriched our journeys.• “Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment” (Feb. 26) profiles Carolina Sandell Berg (1832-1903), who at age 26, watched her father, a parish pastor, drown at sea.• “According to Thy Gracious Word” (March 3) notes that James Montgomery (1771-1854), a fearless London newspaper editor, “was imprisoned twice for his strong editorials” on the abolition of slavery.• “Before Jehovah’s Awful [aka Awesome] Throne” (March 5), by Isaac Watts (1674-1748), includes a British Christian’s awesome experience in singing this hymn with nearly 10,000 others, while led in worship by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.“TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS” (March 15), written by Helen Howarth Lemmel (1864-1961), sent me down a holy rabbit hole! In 1918, this noted Christian singer who lived her final days in Seattle, was given a tract written by a missionary, Lilias Trotter, who served in Algeria. The tract, “Focussed,” stopped Lemmel in her tracks (no pun intended). Lilias Trotter gave up a promising art career in Britain to minister in Algeria for 40 years.To learn more about Lilias Trotter, who inspired Helen Howarth Lemmel to write the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” view the extraordinary documentary, “Many Beautiful Things: The Life and Vision of Lilias Trotter.”• “Amazing Grace” (March 17) notes John Newton’s response to suggestions that because of poor health and fading memory, he should retire at age 82! He said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great savior.” This former slave trader was born in 1725 and died in 1807 at age 82.• “Jesus Paid It All” (March 19), was written by Elvina Mabel Hall (1820-1889) in the choir loft of her Baltimore church—due to “the pastor rambling on too long!” With no paper to write on, she penned the verses in the flyleaf of her hymnal!• Stunning! The background on the hymn, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” (June 9), by George Duffield, Jr. (1818-1888), describes the 1858 Philadelphia citywide evangelistic morning and evening services. A 29-year-old Episcopalian preacher spoke to 5,000 men reaping 1,000 conversions, but four days later, Dudley Tyng died in an accident. His final words were “Tell them to stand up for Jesus,” so Duffield wrote the hymn.“JUST AS I AM” (June 22), was written by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), who wanted to clean up her act before becoming a Christ-follower. A minister, however, invited Elliott to “Come just as you are.” You’ll recognize this hymn, sung at hundreds of Billy Graham CrusadesENVELOPES & INK POTS:• Charles Wesley (1707-1788) “wrote an average of two hymns a week for fifty years,” composing between 5,000 and 6,000 hymns in his lifetime.• William R. Newell (1868-1956), enroute to teach his class at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, envisioned the words to a hymn. He “scribbled the words on the back of any envelope” and gave them to Daniel B. Towner, MBI’s director of music. Within an hour, Towner returned with the hymn, “At Calvary” (March 25).• Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), at age 30 and blind, heard a revival choir sing “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?” (April 14), written by Isaac Watts. She responded to her Savior’s call and went on to write more than 8,000 hymns, including “Blessed Assurance” (May 1).• Martin Luther (1483-1546) “…once felt Satan’s oppressive presence so keenly that he threw an inkpot at him.” Some believe that an ink spot still decorates the wall of his room in Wartburg Castle!” He wrote “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (Oct. 31).Hymmmn. I wonder what my hymn-of-the-day for tomorrow will be? I can hardly wait!

A great reference, manual regarding him him player, a lot of information on behind the fan information regarding many of the famous hymms

This is the perfect devotional for an elderly relative who is now in a nursing facility. He is a man of faith, but no longer has the ability to comprehend anything too complicated or drawn out. The words to the hymn are on one page, and the facing page has a story about it. The hymns are well-known and beloved, so they provide comfort to anyone who has sung them all their life in church.

Such a beautiful compilation of Christian hymns with some history or information about composer or writer.

This book is NOT a hymnal. It has hymns, but there is not NOTE in the entire book. If you're looking for sheet music or hymns you can play, this ain't it. But it is a beautiful devotional book.

El libro es muy bueno, si bien encuentro que es muy poca lectura por día estás van al grano, a veces cuentan como nació un himno, a veces de la vida del autor, otras hablan de la letra y de la historia del himno. Encuentro que es una buena recopilación más aún para que aquellos que son músicos encuentren inspiración en estos relatos.

Good devotional for learning background info on many traditional hymns.

My grandmother had mentioned she loved hymns so I bought her this for her birthday she was thrilled

Very good hymn book and I am using it daily.

This is a book that may be used for historical as well as devotional purposes. As the title suggests there is a hymn for each day of the year, although it has been an interesting book to pick up at odd quiet moments. It also makes a very good gift for any occasion and almost any age range

This is an excellent book to include in your morning devotions

Book came as advertised, although some of the pages were more soiled then was mentioned. Also, the cover had some creases I had not expected, but overall, ok service

wonderfully encouraging