By Dr Daniel Chan
I recently read an appreciation of the work of Timothy Dudley-Smith, a prolific hymn writer and Anglican bishop who composed many hymns during the 1960s and 1970s[1]. Some of his most well-known hymns include Tell Out My Soul[2], Lord for the Years[3], and A Purple Robe[4]. Besides his hymn-writing, Dudley-Smith also authored the authorized biography of his long-time friend, the renowned Christian leader John Stott.
Despite his success, Dudley-Smith admitted that he initially felt disqualified from writing hymns due to his lack of musical knowledge. He assumed that not being a musician closed the door to hymn-writing for him, as hymns typically involve both words and music. However, he soon realized that composing meaningful lyrics did not require musical expertise. As a result, he focused on writing hymns in metrical verse, which other musicians could later pair with melodies.
Although he composed over 400 hymns, Dudley-Smith described his writing process as slow, deliberate, and often difficult. He sought to create hymns that were simple yet profound, heartfelt yet clear, biblically grounded but uncontroversial. This painstaking effort reflected his deep conviction that hymns have a unique role in teaching theology, often shaping people's understanding of faith more than any other source. For Dudley-Smith, hymns allowed for a special kind of corporate worship, enabling the expression of praise, penitence, and commitment. He believed that hymns also provided an opportunity for many worshippers to express emotions they might struggle to articulate on their own.
Some of Dudley-Smith’s hymns have been included in numerous hymnals. A reviewer once praised his work, stating, "They restore our faith, not only in the gospel but also in the act of singing that gospel together with heart, soul, and voice. There are no weak lines, no clumsy rhymes, no distortions of syntax, no awkward meters ... no bad hymns." This high praise highlights the lasting value of well-crafted hymns.
Indeed, hymns are a valuable resource for the Church. The songs we sing play a crucial role in spiritual formation and provide personal and mutual encouragement. I recently experienced this power of hymns firsthand at a gathering of old friends, where many of us were dealing with personal hardships, such as health issues and family tragedies. The gathering concluded with a session of hymn-singing. One of our friends, who suffers from dementia and can no longer communicate verbally, accompanied on the piano with assurance. Together, we remembered the truths of The Old Rugged Cross and Amazing Grace, songs that reminded us of Jesus' faithfulness throughout our lives. We all left feeling refreshed and renewed by these timeless truths.
Worship music has evolved significantly over the past 50 years. The hymn book, once a staple in church pews, has largely disappeared, except in the libraries of a few wise individuals. Today, we have access to a wider variety of worship songs than ever before, thanks to platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, as well as websites and conferences. New songs continue to emerge at an incredible pace.
While technology has expanded our musical options, it has also brought subtle but significant changes to worship. For instance, who now decides which songs are sung? In the past, church leaders typically selected the hymnals or curated collections of hymns and choruses. This allowed them to ensure that the songs used in worship were theologically sound and aligned with biblical principles. Implicitly, these leaders communicated, “These are the songs we want our congregation to sing.” They acted as the curators of the church’s musical diet.
Nowadays, with the decline of the hymn book, this responsibility has often shifted to worship ministry teams or individual worship leaders[5]. This shift has significant implications, which are not always fully appreciated. Are we doing enough to equip our worship leaders to make these important decisions about what songs to include in our services?
The growing number of new songs also raises generational challenges. Different age groups tend to gravitate toward different types of music, influenced by varying preferences, comfort levels, and musical tastes. What is familiar and beloved to one generation may be completely unknown to another. This diversity in musical taste is not inherently problematic, but it raises the question: When we come together as an intergenerational congregation, can we still sing the same hymns and worship songs with shared conviction? Even though we no longer have a common physical hymn book, can we sing from the same virtual hymn book? I hope that we can.
Announcement related to the above from Asst Ps Elaine Ng
For those interested on stories behind hymns and intergenerational worship:
How Great Thou Art
2024 marks the 75th Anniversary of the timeless classic and much loved hymn "How Great Thou Art". We’ve provided the link to an article so you can get to know the fascinating story behind the original hymn and also the generous spirit behind the updated rendition commissioned by the Stuart K. Hine (original composer) Trust to give back to the land that inspired the original hymn.
MSM Worship Symposium 2024 - Worship for Everyone
Be inspired and equipped to foster intergenerational worship and strengthen community bonds within your church. Click here for more info and registration.
When:
Friday 27 September 2024, 1.30pm to 9.30pm
Saturday 28 September 2024, 9am to 5pm
Where:
Toa Payoh Methodist Church, 480 Lor 2 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319641
Thank you Daniel, for your sharing and knowledge. God bless and keep you in good health.