I’m not observing anything nobody hasn’t already said a thousand times before me, but there is still something worth saying about the old hymns and the newer songs we sing in church.

The old hymns carry a weight to them. When we sing them, we are reminded that the Christian faith did not begin with us, and it will not end with us. We did not invent this faith for our own generation. We received it. Jude says we are to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Paul told Timothy to “hold fast the pattern of sound words.” Old hymns help us do that. They connect us to believers who walked with God long before we ever drew breath. And they remind us that when the church sings, she sings as one great family, not only with the saints around us, but in fellowship with the saints who have gone on before us.

At the same time, I am thankful for newer songs too. The Psalms say, “Sing unto the Lord a new song.” The God we worship does not change, but his mercies are new every morning, and His people have always found fresh words to praise Him. I would not be surprised if more songs have been written in honor of God than about any other subject on earth. Newer songs give voice to present gratitude, today’s struggles, and the joys of here and now.

So I am glad for both.

Give me the old hymns that root us in the faith once delivered, and give me the newer songs that help us bless the Lord in the present hour. There is no need to choose one against the other when both are true and exalt God with soundness.

Maranatha,

Jordy