Sunday Morning Hymns

Originally titled “The Name of Jesus,” Oh How I Love Jesus is one of Frederick Whitfield’s hymns still in common use. Whitfield was ordained in the Church of England, but the hymn became popular in 19th century American revivals. As a result, Whitfield’s text was paired with an American tune and the refrain, which was not part of the original text, was added. The original text and refrain are included so please add your voice and sing along.

Edward Perronet’s poem affirming the reign of Christ was originally published under the title “On the Resurrection, the Lord Is King” with the tune MILES LANE. Most often in American churches, the text is sung to the vigorous tune CORONATION, as it is here. John Rippon revised parts of Perronet’s text and replaced some stanzas. As presented here, Perronet wrote verses 1-3, and Rippon wrote verse 4. The hymn as we have it is somewhat ecumenical, with verses written by a Wesleyan dissenter in the Church of England (Perronet) and a Baptist minister (Rippon).

Stepping in the Light is among the many hymns written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt. Hewitt was a Philadephia school teacher whose career was interrupted by a spinal malady, which caused her great pain. During her convalescence, she studied literature and began writing poems for the primary department of her church. As her condition improved, she continued to work with children, teaching and sharing the gospel through her poems. Her text is included here so you can add your voice and sing along.

William Longstaff found inspiration for this hymn in a message from a missionary that was based on 1 Peter 1:16, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” He wrote the poem in 1882, but it was not set to music until a few years later. It’s possible that Longstaff never heard it sung. Here, though, the text is included so you can add your voice and sing along.

When Charles Wesley originally wrote this hymn, “Glory to God, and praise, and love,” was the opening verse. The familiar text that opens the hymn as we sing it today, was the seventh verse in Wesley’s poem. Written in commemoration of Wesley’s renewal of faith, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” has appeared with rare exception in every Wesleyan/Methodist hymnal. Five verses are included here so you can add your voice and sing along.

Theodolf of Orléans wrote the text for All Glory, Laud, and Honor while imprisoned in France during the reign of Emperor Louis. J.M. Neale contributed to church music both by composing original hymns and by translating Greek and Latin hymns, including this text, into English. Neale’s translated text is included so you can add your voice and sing along.

Edwin Hatch served as a vicar and professor with a faith described as “simple and unaffected as a child.” Hatch was not a prolific hymn writer, but Breathe on Me, Breath of God has been passed down over generations. The hymn first appeared in The Congregational Psalmist Hymnal. The text is included here, so please add your voice and sing along.

While the exact date of the composition is not known, sometime between 1880-1882, Lousia Stead’s hymn was first published in Songs of Triumph (1882). The hymn might be best described as a mantra on the name of Jesus. Indeed, “Jesus” is sung twenty-five times if one sings all four stanzas and the refrain. The text is included so you can add your voice and sing along.

William W. Walford preached from time to time in rural English churches. He was blind and would compose sermons in his head to deliver on Sundays. Walford also composed lines of verse in his head, including Sweet Hour of Prayer. Thomas Salmon wrote the text down as Walford recited it, submitting to the New York Observer, where the hymn first appeared in print. Walford’s text is included, so please add your voice and sing along.

Each verse of this hymn by Johnson Oatman reminds us to count our many blessings. The hymn invites us to rise above discouragement, burden, envy, and conflict to be surprised, singing, rewarded, and comforted. The text to accompany the melody by Edwin O. Excell is included, so please add your voice and sing along.