The writers and stories behind ten of our most beloved and influential hymns.

All Creatures of Our God and King – St. Francis of Assisi
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – Martin Luther
Doxology (Praise God from whom All Blessings Flow) — Thomas Ken
Christ the Lord is Risen Today — Charles Wesley
Amazing Grace – John Newton
Battle Hymn of the Republic – Julia Ward Howe
Blessed Assurance – Fanny Crosby
Jesus Loves Me — Anna B. Warner
Great Is Thy Faithfulness — Thomas O. Chisolm
Take My Hand, Precious Lord — Thomas Dorsey

From St. Francis of Assisi’s, ‘All Creatures of Our God and King’, to Thomas Dorsey’s ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’,   hymns written to the glory of God have encouraged, sustained and uplifted people of faith for hundreds of years. Here are the stories and writers behind ten of the most beloved and influential  hymns written for the glorification of Jesus Christ.

All Creatures of Our God and King
Words: St. Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226
English translation: Henry Draper, 1855-1933
Music:  From a German hymnal in 1623, the Geistliche Kirchengesang

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

All Creatures of Our God and King, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh See and hear it on YouTube.

St. Francis of Assisi was born Giovanni Bernardone into a wealthy family in 1282. After serving as a soldier and engaging in behaviors and indiscretions that ultimately proved unrewarding, he experienced a spiritual awakening, and dedicated his life to serve Jesus Christ. He renounced his father’s wealth, and proceeded to live out in the open, in nature, if you will, dressed in rags, working for, and sometimes even begging for food. [1]   A group of young men joined Francis. They traveled the countryside preaching the Gospel. St. Francis would go on to found the Franciscan Order of Friars. A female follower created the ‘Poor Clare’ order of nuns.

Continue reading Sacred Songs: Stories behind ten of our most beloved hymns →