Hymnlines

Praise the LORD! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!

Psalm 147:1

One thing I love about the old hymns I learned as a child is that they are based on Scripture. When I am alone in the car, I try to recall as many hymn lines as I can. This is good discipline, not only for my busy brain but also for my soul. When I sing them, I’m declaring the living Word of God that moves us and changes us and offers life to all who pay attention.

No one can hear me singing in the car, and driving keeps my eyes focused forward, where I can see the big sky all around and imagine the vast heavens beyond my view. Driving alone is an ideal private place to practice praising. Singing hymns helps me stay focused on God’s priorities.

I call my hymn memory game “hymnlines.” Whereas hemlines on our skirts and pants change as fast as fashion trends (think maxi, mini, midi, capri, or cropped), God’s Word never changes! The hymnlines help me belt out the truth in praise to the Lord. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his Word.

Onward, Christian soldiers . . .

This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.

And one last line from “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners”: “I am His and He is mine” explains why I sign most of my correspondence “His.” How grateful I am for this hymn heritage!

Read a psalm or sing a hymn you can remember right now. I would imagine you already have started humming! Do a Google search to find out whether any of your hymnlines are drawn directly from Scripture.