Our Hymn-Writers and Their Hymns

by Faith Cook

A number of books that detail the stories or circumstances behind the writing of some of our popular hymns have been published over the years. But this work traces the development of the English hymn from the early period of the Christian church up until our present century by means of biographical sketches of a number of our best-known writers. The author also endeavoured to demonstrate the way in which their individual personalities and circumstances have often been reflected in the hymns they have composed. The Apostle Paul urged his Ephesian readers to encourage one another with 'psalms, hymns and spiritual songs'. As this book reviews the whole sweep of hymn-writing down the centuries, we can raise our hearts in thankfulness to God for these men and women whose work has been considered.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Christianity

400 pages, Hardcover

First published May 16, 2005

About the author

Faith Cook was born in China, the daughter of OMF missionaries, and now lives in Derbyshire. She is married to Paul, who served as a pastor in churches in Northallerton, Shepshed and Hull. They have five children and ten grandchildren. She is also the author of Lives Turned Upside Down, The Nine-Day Queen of England, Our Hymn-writers and their Hymns, Seeing the Invisible and Under the Scaffold.

Reviews

[Molly Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can only review this with a bias since I love learning about hymnwriters and hymns. What I truly appreciated was the approach the author took: she didn't focus on minor details of the writers' lives, nor did she give glamorous stories behind favorite hymns. She focused on how the lives and beliefs of the hymnwriters shaped their faith and their hymns, even giving hints of the big-picture view of how those hymns affected the church. Of course, it wasn't as deep a look as others have done because she was trying to cover so much. But it's certainly an excellent overview of major hymnwriters and how God used their lives (and, often, their sorrows) to cultivate the verse that would shape the worship of his people for years to come!

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part history book, part biography, and part analysis of the poetry of hymns. A fascinating insight into the lives of many great hymn writers; how they came to know God, the sorrows and joys in their lives, what truths they wished to convey with their writing, and how all this impacted their hymns. I spent much of it going 'oh, I love this hymn!' and having to stop to listen to it.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book that introduces the reader to the history of hymn writers through the centuries. I think it is a good starting point for someone who’s interested in the history of hymns. As it goes through most of the history of hymns, with particular focus on the 17th, 18th and 19th century, it can’t go into too much detail.

My only problem with this book is, due to the repetitive writing style used, it is lacking a bit of variety. This is just my opinion of course.

Other than that, it’s a solid book

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply moving stories of the great writers of hymns, interspersed with countless examples of their work. At times the constant quoting of stanzas and comments on metre and content interrupt the flow of some very powerful mini biographies, as the writer has accommodated a narrative on the techniques of hymn writing alongside the stories behind our greatest hymns. It is the latter that have gripped this reader.

[Benjamin Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that gathers a helpful collection of material. The writing lets it down a little which is workman-like but not compelling.

[Alexandra Mitchener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography. Faith’s writing style made the history of each hymn-writer and their lives captivating.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this volume as a gift, and it made for many hours of pleasurable bedtime reading. What a great way to end the day by remembering the journeys of these well-known and little-known hymn writers. If you enjoy hymns, you'll love it. Even if you don't like hymns, reading the poetry aloud will stir up the affections of your heart and mind.

Here's one of the hymns I discovered because of this book:
Abide With Me

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy picking this book up over and over again. It inspires my own writing. I find I turn to some of the same hymn-writer's "fellowship" when I hunger for a kindred heart. Faith examines their trials, personalities, circumstances, as well as their writing styles. Often times, she has been able to trace their individual spiritual wrestlings through their evolving texts. She even spills some ink pointing out their poem's weaknesses and strengths. I turn to one chapter at a time, never caring, or truly knowing if I've been there dozens of times. William Cowper came to life for me. I knew he struggled with depression, but I had no idea of the sorrow that may have contributed to it. I recommend that a reader enjoy this book like they do their hymnal. Choose the life and the hymn that ministers to your own needs on any given "whim". You will come away knowing that there was a day when hymns were written from a deep heart-knowledge of the precious written word- the Living Word of God. You will also hopefully see why we should still look for a new song rising from our own heart's devotion- until He come. Until then our hymnals are not complete. Perhaps, all of eternity awaits unending athems of a heavenly nature. Write on, and may your profiting in His grace appear to all.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being biased in my rating of this book. Hymnology is one of my favorite subjects and Faith Cook is one of my favorite authors. This stands out from other books about hymns because she combines a study of hymnology proper with biographies of the men and women who particularly contributed to the development of our English hymns. In the end it's not a book about some hymn stories, it's a book about the story of the English hymn. From Isaac Watts (and before) to Fanny Crosby (and beyond) she tells both about their personal lives and about their poetic styles. Like everything Cook writes, it is very well researched. I have read many books on hymns, so a good deal of the material was familiar, but I liked this book better than any other book I've read on hymns because of how well it is laid out, each piece fitting into the whole, instead of a disjointed jumble of pieces.

[Violet W.]

This is SO hard to get through- not because of the length, but because I can only read so much before I just have TOO MANY songs running through my head to continue! :)