Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories [Paperback]

Robert J. Morgan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 5, 2003

Rob Morgan's inimitable style will help people reacquaint themselves with the hymns of the faithful. His goal is to keep these traditional hymns vital and meaningful to all generations.

Don't look for a dry recounting of boring stories. These devotional-style stories show the emotion and drama behind the hymns of faith that have changed many lives throughout history -- the people whose faith led them to write these wonderful hymns and the people whose faith was affected by reading, hearing, and singing the songs. Designed to be personally reflective, these stories speak to your soul and add depth and meaning as you worship God through song.

FEATURES:

• Includes words and music to each hymn
• Special softcover, french flap cover design
• Ivory paper with brown ink
• Jagged-edge paper, giving it a classic feel
• Complete with hymn index
• Use for devotionals, teaching illustrations, introductory remarks for song leaders and music ministers

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rob Morgan is the pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, where he has served for over 30 years. He is a best-selling and Gold-Medallion winning writer with over 20 books in print and over 2 million in print circulation. Rob has written articles for numerous publications and has appeared on national television and radio shows. He and his wife Katrina have three daughters and ten grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785249397
• ISBN-13: 978-0785249399
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,333 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Devotionals

More About the Author

Robert J. Morgan, is the pastor of Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee and the author of the best-selling Then Sings My Soul, From This Verse, On This Day, and Red Sea Rules. He conducts Bible conferences, parenting and marriage retreats, and leadership seminars across the country.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars No Protestant musician should leave home without it! April 6, 2004

By Reginald D. Garrard VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Charles Wesley wrote over 6000 hymns. One of his most beloved compositions is "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." However, the song would've been different if his friend, evangelist George Whitefield, had not altered the first line from Wesley's original: "Hark! How all the welking rings."

"Rock of Ages" lyricist Augustus Toplady died at the young age of 38, but the song, written in 1776, has survived as a testament to him.

Father Joseph Mohr wrote "Silent Night" due to the fact that the church organ was broken and something was needed for the Christmas Eve presentation in 1818.

Charlotte Elliott wrote "Just as I am" out of despair and hopelessness over her constant ill health. Although she suffered for most of her 87 years, the song served as a beacon to others and probably accounted for her longevity.

"In the Garden" was written as the result of slowly developing film.

These brief snippets are just some of the facts that populate this fascinating book covering the development of 150 hymns.
Each hymn is provided with the background historical information.

The book sports ragged edged paper to give it an air of authenticity to the parchment copies of old.

Author Morgan has a genuine respect for the hymn and has done his research in compiling this notable work.

As a church musician, I am most appreciative.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifts the heart February 19, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I am greatly enjoying this little book. Contains most of the traditional hymns I grew up with in the 1950s and 1960s. The music and lyrics are printed on the left-hand page. The right-hand page contains a short essay giving the Biblical source for the text and some information about the writing of the hymn and its use through the years. I am learning a lot and I find myself singing the hymns out loud morning and evening. A great way to frame the day! Recommended for people who feel the loss of tradition in 21st century worship and for anyone who loves church music.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hymn Stories Shared! December 21, 2005

By JAD

Format:Paperback

If you ever wanted to know the background behind the hymns that we sing, this two-volume collection is for you. Robert J. Morgan has collected and compiled stories of hymns from all over the world and from every time period. Each book takes a look at 150 hymns, so the sum total is 300 - certainly, most of the familiar hymns including your favorite hymns are included. And there are other hymns herein, that you would enjoy singing and reading about.

In Book I, for instance, you will find the heart-rending pathos of the genesis of such hymns as "Nearer My God to Thee,", "It is well with my Soul" and "O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go". You will also learn the stories behind the thoughtful and introspective hymns such as "Amazing Grace" and "This Is My Father's World". And the hymns of unparalleled praise: "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee", and "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty."

Did you know....that among the above hymns, two were written by illustrious Presbyterian pastors-both of whom served The Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City? ...that "In the Garden" was written while the author was waiting for some film to develop? Or that "Onward, Christian Soldiers" was written for an English children's parade, by their pastor? Every one of these hymns has a story, some tender, some humorous, all filled with the possibility to inspire.

Both books would be very helpful to pastors planning worship-and indeed could be the springboard for any number of sermons, illustrations or hymn festivals.

For more than twenty years, author Robert J. Morgan has served as the pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, Tennessee, so he brings a pastor's reverence and appreciation of these hymns to his narrative

33 of 38 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Close but the format got in the way August 6, 2005

By M. Logan

Format:Paperback

Then Sings My Soul is organized in chronological order from 820 ad to a hymn from the author dated 2002. The book is printed in a forced format with the music on the left and the story on the right. This format has two unfortunate consequences. First the text has to fit only on the facing page. This leads to very short stories that can lack in character development. Also, in at least one case this format artificially truncated the music. The chorus to "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" is missing since the additional music apparently would have carried over to the next page. Since I was looking to arrange this particular hymn, not having all the music was a disappointing shortcoming.

Overall this is an agreeable book covering many important hymns and with a brief on the music or text. However, in my opinion, the hymn stories series from Kenneth Osbeck is a far better reference in depth and detail.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, music history/devotional January 3, 2007

By Sarah Norman

Format:Paperback

I started using this with my kids as a nighttime devotional. I had to "translate" the stories into more-kid-friendly language, but they got a kick out of singing the songs after hearing how they came to be. Really, it is more of an adult book and if you grew up in a traditional Protestant church, you will really enjoy learning the background to so many famous hymns. It is very easy to use for a daily devotional since each story is only one page long.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Hymns from the Past for Great Worship Today November 30, 2005

By Robert W. Kellemen

Format:Paperback

The purpose of "Then Sings My Soul" is vital given today's unfortunate growing movement away from the great hymns of the faith--to keep these traditional hymns from past generations vital to this generation.

The user-friendly format provides the hymn on one side of the page and a one-page historical background summary on the other side. Though some reviewers decry this formatting as not allowing enough room for in-depth background, I find it a helpful way to provide engaging insight while making the book useful also as a hymnal itself.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction", "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."