[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 (21–30)
Abide With MeAudrey Assad
Hymn No.
39, “Abide with Me.” It is a hymn whose text was written by the Scottish Anglican Henry Francis Lyte and sung to the tune “Eventide” by William Henry Monk.
“Eventide” means evening, and the music has a gentle character, as if a sunset sky were spreading out.
The lyrics are a prayer to God to remain with us through life, in hardship, and at the hour of death.
my soulCharles Wesley
It is a representative work by Charles Wesley, a leader of the Methodist movement—an evangelical revival within the Church of England.
Throughout his life he composed many hymns, and this hymn is among the most famous in Britain.
It was written shortly after Charles Wesley’s conversion and published in 1740 under the title “In Times of Trial.” There is a view that it was composed amid the dangers of persecution against the Methodist movement, and it is a hymn that seeks God’s protection.
[Hymns] Famous Hymns and Sacred Songs. Recommended Hymns and Sacred Songs (31–40)
Hymn No. 98: ‘Glory to God in the Highest’Felix Mendelssohn
Known as a quintessential hymn celebrating Christmas, this piece has a profound historical background.
The lyrics were written by Charles Wesley in 1739 and later revised by George Whitefield.
The melody was adapted from part of a cantata composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.
In 1855, William H.
Cummings shaped it into the form we know today, leading to its wide popularization.
The hymn celebrates the reconciliation between God and humanity through the birth of Christ, the coming of peace and mercy, and the dawning of a new light of life.
Its beautiful melody and powerful message enhance the atmosphere of the holy night and deeply move listeners.
It is sung in many churches during the Christmas season and continues to be loved by Christians around the world.
Hymn No. 582: ‘Jesus, the Son of God’John Douglas Scott
Based on the Scottish folk song “Annie Laurie,” the lyrics were written with reference to 1 Peter 5:8–10 in the New Testament.
It sings of faith: “Stand firm in the faith and resist this devil.
As you know, your brothers and sisters throughout the world have undergone the same sufferings.”
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Arr. Dan Forrest)Dan Forrest
This hymn, “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” is a very popular piece that portrays God as the shepherd and us humans as the sheep who are protected and cared for by the shepherd.
It has been performed in various places; this particular performance is by the Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony, conducted by Richard R.
Fischer.
Over the mountain pathsakushi: nishimura kiyoo / sakkyoku: aaron chabin
It is one of the most famous hymns in Japan.
Centered on the themes of nature’s beauty and trust in God, it conveys that even when traveling alone over mountain paths, one can find reassurance by holding fast to God’s hand.
The idea came to Kiyoo Nishimura in early February 1903, as he returned over a mountain pass after completing evangelistic work at the Uwajima Church.
Through vivid depictions of snow-capped mountains and clear skies, along with the metaphor of a spiritual journey, the hymn expresses the comfort found in faith and the soul’s drawing nearer to God.
As a hymn well attuned to Japanese sensibilities, it has long been cherished by many.
Hymn No. 262: “Beneath the Cross”Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane
This is a hymn with lyrics by Elizabeth C.
Clephane, a Scottish native active in the 19th century.
Born in Edinburgh as the daughter of a distinguished sheriff, she spent most of her life in Melrose.
Though left frail by a severe illness in early childhood, this deepened her faith and compassion, and she devoted her wealth and strength to serving the poor around her.
The hymn was published posthumously.
The melody was composed by Frederick Charles Maker specifically for these lyrics.
Marked by chromatic movement and skillful modulations, it is cherished as one of his representative works.