Timeless Hymns

I love old hymns. Don't get me wrong...I really like the new worship songs too. But there is just something refreshing about those old hymns. They are so power packed with those foundational truths of the Christian faith. They are so focused on Jesus and the cross and how salvation was all the work of God & how we were so undeserving. A lot of times with the newer songs, they are more about our feelings about God, which can in a sense be distracting & take the focus off of Christ. Sometimes, by the lyrics, it's hard to discern whether these newer artists are singing to holy God or to their girlfriend or boyfriend. But both the old & new have their place. I didn't grow up in church, but I know there's a lot of people who did, who only sang hymns growing up & they now seem "old" to them. But I guess since they are actually new for me, the beautiful & foundational truths, such as the holiness, power, majesty & love of God in the hymns are just breathtaking. They are just so doctrinally rich & rooted in Scripture & they almost always come back to the Cross. There is also this welcoming expectation of Heaven & Christ's return. Just reading the words, chokes me up. And there are some contemporary worship songs that are so powerful & do the same for me. Every now & then, my husband & I will pull out the hymnbook & sing to the Lord. Below are the words to some of my favorite hymns:

I Stand in Awe
You are beautiful beyond description, Too marvelous for words.
Too wonderful for comprehension, Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom? Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beauiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above.
And I stand, I stand in awe of You. I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You.

How Great Thou Art
O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I can scarce take it in; That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim; my God, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great hou art!c How great Thou art! Hoew great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. And I love that old rugged cross, where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.
O the old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, A wondrous beauty I see; For twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; It's shame and reproach gladly bear. Then He'll call me someday to my home far away, where glory forever I'll share. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross. Till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross and exchange it someday for a crown.