10 of the best-loved classic hymns

Robert Lowry was an American professor of literature. His other talents included being a Baptist minister and composer of hymns. He was also a music editor at the Biglow and Main Publishing Company.While Lowry was a prolific hymn writer he preferred to be known as a minister. He is credited with writing 500 hymns, which include the famous and beloved hymn, Nothing But the Blood.Some of the other hymns he composed were Christ Arose, Low in the Grave He Lay, Shall We Gather At The River, and How Can I Keep From Singing. He also wrote the music and refrain for Marching to Zion.Lowry once said, “I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer." However, it’s as a hymn writer that he remains renowned.Horatio Gates Spafford was a prominent American lawyer, who became best known for writing the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. This hymn was written after a horrible tragedy happened, he lost four daughters at one time.It was on Nov. 22, 1873, that Spafford’s wife and daughters were crossing the Atlantic on a steamship, the Ville du Havre, when the ship sunk. It was struck by an iron sailing vessel which killed 226 people including all four of his daughters.With the loss of his daughters Spafford might have thought all was lost because he had now lost a total of five children. His wife Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. Upon her arrival in England, she sent a telegram to her husband beginning "Saved alone."As he sailed to England, the captain of the ship informed Spafford they were reaching the location where his daughters had perished. It’s said during this time is when he penned the beloved hymn It Is Well with My Soul.Carl Boberg and a few of his friends were returning home, he lived in Sweden, after church service when he became inspired to write How Great Thou Art.During their walk home a dark ominous storm appeared on the horizon and lightening flashed across the sky. Boberg observed the billowing fields of grain as the wind swept across it.The rain came down in a fresh cooling shower, when the storm was over a rainbow appeared. It could very well be this is when the words of How Great Thou Art started running through his mind.When he arrived home, he threw open his window and gazed upon the bay of Mönsterås that stood like a mirror before him. He could see the woods on the other side of the bay, and heard the song of a thrust as church bells tolled in the quiet evening.It was through the series of sights and sounds on this day that inspired the writing of How Great Thou Art. The song is said to have been based on Psalm 8.View the list »
John Henry Newton is the author of Amazing Grace, perhaps the most-loved hymn of all time. The tragic story behind Newton makes this hymn even more awesome. Newton's mother died from tuberculosis when John was only six years old.Newton was like any other person, when he was younger, who doesn't know Christ as Lord and Savior. He was morally corrupt and slow in his conversion to Christianity.When he was 18, he became a midshipman aboard the HMS Harwich. The conditions on the ship were not well tolerated by Newton so he deserted. He was later captured, flogged, placed in irons and suffered more harsh punishments.At one time Newton considered escaping this life through suicide because of his terrible abuse. As a result of the cruelty he suffered it's said that he had a near-death experience. It was during these times that Newton decided to give his heart to Christ.As he was returning home the ship he was on encountered a terrible storm that swept his crewmen overboard. This is when Newton prayed to God for the first time.When he finally reached his home he began worshipping Christ and in 1772 he penned the famous hymn Amazing Grace. This hymn was based on how alone he felt. He came to the realization that it was only by God's grace and forgiveness that he was still alive. 

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A hymn is a type of song specifically written for the praise or adoration of God. The word hymn derives from the Greek word hymnos which means a song of praise. Usually hymns are contained in a book called a hymnal.

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Hymns are modeled after the book of Psalms or other poetic passages in the bible. Many of them refer directly or indirectly to the person of Jesus Christ. Christians use hymns in either private or corporate worship to help invoke the presence of God.

Someone who writes hymns is known as a hymnist or hymnodist. There are two ways hymns are conceived, either through positive or negative experiences that happen in a person's life. These encounters of one's life can be heard in the lyrics or music.

These hymns are usually written with a full range of human emotions from happiness to sorrow and can make the listener laugh or cry. All of the classic hymns, that speak to our hearts, were birthed through inspiration given by God.

Different circumstances of a person's life have inspired them to write a song with their feelings in words. Some of the greatest hymns were written when extreme tragedy happened in the life of the person writing it. In order for the listener of the hymn to truly experience the beauty of a hymn it's good to know the origin behind the song.

Hymns are one way to encourage oneself as found in Ephesians 5:19-20. Those passages say, "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

This list of hymns contains 10 of the most loved classic hymns that people have grown to love through the ages.

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  • John Henry Newton is the author of Amazing Grace, perhaps the most-loved hymn of all time. The tragic story behind Newton makes this hymn even more awesome. Newton's mother died from tuberculosis when John was only six years old.Newton was like any other person, when he was younger, who doesn't know Christ as Lord and Savior. He was morally corrupt and slow in his conversion to Christianity.When he was 18, he became a midshipman aboard the HMS Harwich. The conditions on the ship were not well tolerated by Newton so he deserted. He was later captured, flogged, placed in irons and suffered more harsh punishments.At one time Newton considered escaping this life through suicide because of his terrible abuse. As a result of the cruelty he suffered it's said that he had a near-death experience. It was during these times that Newton decided to give his heart to Christ.As he was returning home the ship he was on encountered a terrible storm that swept his crewmen overboard. This is when Newton prayed to God for the first time.When he finally reached his home he began worshipping Christ and in 1772 he penned the famous hymn Amazing Grace. This hymn was based on how alone he felt. He came to the realization that it was only by God's grace and forgiveness that he was still alive. 
  • Carl Boberg and a few of his friends were returning home, he lived in Sweden, after church service when he became inspired to write How Great Thou Art.During their walk home a dark ominous storm appeared on the horizon and lightening flashed across the sky. Boberg observed the billowing fields of grain as the wind swept across it.The rain came down in a fresh cooling shower, when the storm was over a rainbow appeared. It could very well be this is when the words of How Great Thou Art started running through his mind.When he arrived home, he threw open his window and gazed upon the bay of Mönsterås that stood like a mirror before him. He could see the woods on the other side of the bay, and heard the song of a thrust as church bells tolled in the quiet evening.It was through the series of sights and sounds on this day that inspired the writing of How Great Thou Art. The song is said to have been based on Psalm 8.
  • Horatio Gates Spafford was a prominent American lawyer, who became best known for writing the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. This hymn was written after a horrible tragedy happened, he lost four daughters at one time.It was on Nov. 22, 1873, that Spafford’s wife and daughters were crossing the Atlantic on a steamship, the Ville du Havre, when the ship sunk. It was struck by an iron sailing vessel which killed 226 people including all four of his daughters.With the loss of his daughters Spafford might have thought all was lost because he had now lost a total of five children. His wife Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. Upon her arrival in England, she sent a telegram to her husband beginning "Saved alone."As he sailed to England, the captain of the ship informed Spafford they were reaching the location where his daughters had perished. It’s said during this time is when he penned the beloved hymn It Is Well with My Soul.
  • Robert Lowry was an American professor of literature. His other talents included being a Baptist minister and composer of hymns. He was also a music editor at the Biglow and Main Publishing Company.While Lowry was a prolific hymn writer he preferred to be known as a minister. He is credited with writing 500 hymns, which include the famous and beloved hymn, Nothing But the Blood.Some of the other hymns he composed were Christ Arose, Low in the Grave He Lay, Shall We Gather At The River, and How Can I Keep From Singing. He also wrote the music and refrain for Marching to Zion.Lowry once said, “I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer." However, it’s as a hymn writer that he remains renowned.
  • A prolific and popular hymn writer, Watts is known as the Father of English Hymnody. He’s credited with writing 750 hymns. Many of his hymns are still being sung in churches today, and have been translated into several languages.From an early age, Watts displayed a talent for rhyme. He preached his first sermon at age 24. In the next three years, he preached frequently, and in 1702 was ordained as pastor of the Independent congregation in Mark Lane.In 1703, his health began to failing so Samuel Price was appointed as his assistant in the ministry. In 1712, a fever shattered his constitution, and Price became co-pastor of the congregation, which had moved to a new chapel on Bury Street.Several of his hymns are included in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal, the Baptist Hymnal, the Presbyterian Trinity Hymnal, and the Methodist Hymns and Psalms.
  • As an infant of just six weeks old, Fanny Crosby caught a cold and developed an inflammation of the eyes. She was treated with mustard poultices for the discharges coming from her eyes.According to her, this procedure damaged the optic nerves and caused her blindness, although many today believe her blindness was congenital. When she was eight Crosby penned her first poem, which described her condition.She later remarked: "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation.If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."Crosby became known as "the premier hymnist of the gospel song period" and one of the most prolific hymn writers in history. She wrote over 8,000 hymns with at least 100 million copies of her songs in print. She can easily be called the “Queen of hymn writers.” Dozens of her hymns are in hymnals all over the world.Some of Crosby's best-known hymns include Blessed Assurance, Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour, Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home, Praise Him, Praise Him, Rescue the Perishing, and To God Be the Glory. It's said the song Blessed Assurance is based on Hebrews 10:22.
  • Edward Perronet was the son of an Anglican priest, and he worked closely with Anglican priest John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley for several years in England's eighteenth century revival.Perronet is best known for penning the lyrics to the well known hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name. He went on to glory on Jan. 2, 1792 in Canterbury, Kent, England.It’s said on his deathbed he uttered the words, "Glory to God in the height of His divinity. Glory to God in the depth of his humanity. Glory to God in His all-sufficiency. Into His hands I commend my spirit."
  • Augustus Montague Toplady was an Anglican cleric and hymn writer. Toplady wrote his famous hymn Rock of Ages in 1763.One local tradition quickly discounted by most historians, is the situation involving where he wrote Rock of Ages. It’s said he wrote the hymn after seeking shelter under a large rock at Burrington Combe, a magnificent ravine close to Blagdon, during a thunderstorm.Rock of Ages was his most popular hymn but he wrote others which include, A Debtor to Mercy Alone, Deathless Principle, Arise and Object of My First Desire.Toplady was also a prolific essayist and letter correspondent and wrote on a wide range of topics. 
  • George Bennard was an American hymn composer and preacher. He’s best known for composing the famous hymn, The Old Rugged Cross.After marrying, Bennard was active in the Salvation Army and preached all across the United States and Canada. Most of his life was spent in Michigan and Wisconsin.He retired to Reed City, Michigan, and the town runs a museum dedicated to his life and ministry. He died in Reed City, Michigan, but is buried in Inglewood, CA.The Chamber of Commerce in Reed City, erected a cross near his home.
  • Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan MVO was an English composer. He’s best known for his series of 14 operatic collaborations with the dramatist W. S. Gilbert.His best known hymns are Onward Christian Soldiers and The Lost Chord. He suffered from a recurrent kidney disease and from the 1880s, he had to conduct while sitting down.Sullivan died of heart failure, following an attack of bronchitis, at his flat in London on Nov. 22, 1900
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, Dothan Christianity Examiner

Joseph has been writing for 33 years from the heart, he draws from his life's experiences to help others learn from his successes and failures. In 2008 Joseph received a diploma from SMTI, an institute with high standards that develop and train helps ministers for work in the ministry. In early...

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