Those of us who went to school in the 70s, 80s or 90s will have fond memories of singing lots of Christian songs in assembly. Hymn singing is a vital part of any church service or wedding. It is one of the ways the congregation can take an active part in worship.
Many of our most loved hymns have been around for centuries. William Cowper (1731-1800) is a particularly interesting hymn writer and also poet – one poem ‘The Task’ is 5000 lines! For a while he lived in Olney and wrote hymns alongside his friend John Newton – The Olney Hymns. Cowper was a very troubled man prone to depression and suicidal thoughts, but his faith in Jesus kept him safe.
One of Cowper’s hymns has this beautiful description of what Jesus does;
‘I delivered thee when bound, and, when wounded, healed thy wound;
sought thee wandering, set thee right, turned thy darkness into light.
‘Mine is an unchanging love, higher than the heights above,
deeper than the depths beneath, free and faithful, strong as death.