[Hymns] Famous hymns and sacred songs. Recommended hymns and sacred songs.
Hymns and sacred songs beloved around the world.
Hymns and sacred songs are known as songs that praise the Christian God, but in Japan—where many people are Buddhist—their recognition is by no means high.
There are many excellent pieces, but the difficulty is that they can be hard to find.
This time, we’ve picked out some famous works among hymns and sacred songs.
We also explain in detail the background of each piece and the meaning of the lyrics, so even those without prior knowledge of hymns and sacred songs can enjoy it.
How about soothing a heart worn down by daily stress with hymns and sacred songs?
Please sit back and enjoy!
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[Hymns] Famous hymns and sacred songs. Recommended hymns and sacred songs (71–80)
The Lord’s My Shepherd – Tune: CrimondJohn Siderius
A hymn known in Japan by the title “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” or sometimes “The Lord Is My Shepherd (Waga Bokusha).” You may wonder what it means.
In fact, the relationship between God and people is depicted in the Bible with the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep.
In other words, God is the shepherd and we humans are the sheep.
It means that God guides us and takes care of us.
Praise My Soul the King of HeavenMatthew Brown
When it comes to hymns, isn’t this the first song that comes to mind? Even if the title doesn’t ring a bell, once you listen you’ll surely think, “Oh, that one!” The English translation of the title is “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven,” and it’s truly a hymn that praises God.
The phrase “Hallelujah” is repeated in the chorus.
This is definitely a great place to start! There are also pop-style arrangements, so try listening to a few different versions.
Morning Has BrokenNeil Diamond
This hymn, known in Japan under the title “A Rain-Wet Morning,” evokes the sounds of a beloved homeland, doesn’t it? That’s because it’s a hymn based on an old Gaelic folk tune from Scotland.
Delivering it with a steady, assured voice is Neil Diamond, a musician from Brooklyn, New York.
Standing alongside the likes of Elton John and Barbra Streisand, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
Hymnal, Second Part No. 216: “Angels Singing”William Chatterton Dix
It is a Christmas carol with lyrics written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix to the melody of the old English folk tune “Greensleeves.” The song recounts the Nativity of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament.
The term “messenger” (omikata/angel) refers to a bearer of tidings and, in Christianity, denotes the Lord’s messenger (an angel).
Hymn No. 96: “From Jesse’s Root”
It is a carol from Germany’s Rhineland region.
It is sung during Advent (Christmas).
A man named Jesse, who appears in the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, is said to be an ancestor of Jesus Christ’s parents, and this is a song celebrating the birth of Christ, born as a descendant of Jesse.
Earth and All StarsLive Hymnal
A track from Live Hymnal’s 2018 release “Word.” It’s a hymn about “singing a new song to praise God.” Live Hymnal is a group formed by musicians and singers from South Florida.
Their arrangements let you enjoy hymns as casually as you would pop music.
Be sure to listen for the exquisite harmonies!
Hymn No. 130: Rejoice and PraiseGeorg Friedrich Händel
In 1884, the Swiss lyricist Edmond composed lyrics based on the New Testament’s Gospel of Matthew and set them to the melody of “See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes” from Handel’s oratorio Judas Maccabaeus.
In Japan, this melody is used at award ceremonies and similar occasions.
The lyrics depict the scene in which Jesus Christ is welcomed into Jerusalem on his way to be crucified and rise again, drawing on Matthew 21:9: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”