Some Benefits of using a Hymnal
Some Benefits of using a Hymnal. A few years ago, our young church plant made a conscientious and principled decision to move away from the screen and purchase hymn books. One of our members attended a Ligonier conference and returned with “Hymns of Grace” and “The Trinity Hymnal” we choose “Hymn of Grace” for practical reasons (large print, simpler selections). It was one of the best decisions we made and from which many fruits, both obvious and not so observable, can be cataloged.
This is not a post that has a villain (the screen), nor do would I say that using a screen for worship is wrong. But as I have been thinking through the ways our church has been blessed over the past few years after which we made a deliberate decision to move from Screen to hymn book, I would show, what I believe are some of the great benefits, which I suspect have been unknowingly lost when we, in the past generation, jettisoned the physical hymn book for the convenience and practicality of the screen.
Faithfulness: With a Hymnbook, you get hundreds of songs for worship that are theologically sound. They have stood the test of time. The Gospel is faithfully declared in song.
Sing-ability: Why do hymns last generations? Good lyrics? Yes, but also (and equally as important) they are easily learned and singable by all of God’s people. With a hymn book, you get a canon of vetted music that both men and women can sing congregationally. One of the most avoidable tragedies churches have participated in has been presenting un-singable music. I think many think (rightfully) that music must be doctrinally accurate. This is necessary, but it is also to be participatory. High-pitched songs with tone and tempo changes may minister to you, via radio, but will have no place if men cannot sing them in church and stand with their hands in their pockets. Singable music is necessary for congregation worship.
Historicity: A Hymnbook provides a cannon of music which spans generations, era, and continents—There is something about singing old Irish song (Be thou My Vision), Appalachian (What Wondrous Love is This), a song penned by Martin Luther (A Mighty Fortress) or a former slave trader (Amazing Grace) which is both humbling and confidence building.
Variety: You get a canon of music that has a variety of Christian experiences and seasons. I love the Christmas section in “Hymns of Grace” and we have added each year to our repertoire of songs. Hymnals allow for congregation favorites and seasonal requests. Though I pick the songs each week, and we follow a regular liturgy with at least 5 songs, and I regularly invite people to make requests of their favorites.
Memorability: Children grow up knowing songs—can they know songs from a screen? Sure…but not if they are constantly changing. I cannot stress how much singing music helps to catechize a congregation. How good it was for me during a particularly difficult season of ministry to have the lyrics of “How Firm a Foundation” in my head, ministering to my soul.
Accessibility: People can read all the verses and memorize them as they see them, for hymns both tell a story and crescendo in meaning (EX: “For the Beauty of the Earth”, “Fairest Lord Jesus”).
Teachability: People learn, even basically, how to follow the music as it is written.
Transferability: Hymn Books allow for delegation of singing at times to younger musicians while giving them guardrails which pre-emptively strike down those cringe and apology moments which comes from lack of awareness while leading music (ask any pastor for stories of this).
Accompaniment:Accompaniment: Hymnals funnel the music towards the piano and voice, with the guitar being an accompanying instrument, yet not the main one, mostly. This actually increases the amount and variety of musicians who can join in.
Preachability: Hymnbooks allow for pastoral illustrations of song lyrics. I can actually say, as a non-poet, that I have poetry memorized and ready to recite.
Practicality: Hymnals allow for Accapella worship when desired, or if the musicians are unavailable (this is especially beneficial for a small church). We know this from experience. Hymnals also cut down on practice time needed for musicians.
Peaceability: Hymnals cut down upon many, many unnecessary conflicts surrounding worship and worship teams. “Hey man, blame the publisher, not me”.
Psalm-singing: Hymnals allow for Psalm to be sung without a Psalter. I have a cataloged list of hymns directly translated from Psalms which we sing and mention (EX: “The King of Love my Shepherd is” is from Psalm 23)
Unity: Purchasing hymnals has helped with a reverent, consecrated time of singing as pages are turned and eyes follow the music as written. Hymn Books promote loud, manly, confident, joyous singing, as the musical flow has unity with the lyrics. There is hardly anything so glorious or life-giving as hearing voices singing of the confident Victory of King Jesus.
