Hymn Talk

In an age where “privilege” is a buzzword, Christians should be the first to celebrate their privilege. Christians are not only redeemed from sin, saved to righteousness, and assured of everlasting life. They are also pleased to be made worshipers of the risen Christ. This privilege is most fully realized in this life when the church gathers to worship. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss why and how Christians should reclaim a sense of privilege in worship and congregational singing. They also review Isaac Watts’ classic hymn “How Sweet and Awful is the Place.”

One of the chief blessings of the Christian faith is the Spirit-wrought assurance of salvation. Hymns and congregational singing play a tremendous role in bolstering our faith. In this episode, Zack and Alex navigate the Bible’s teaching on Christian assurance as well as challenges to the doctrine in human experience. They also review Matt Merker’s wonderful hymn “He Will Hold Me Fast."

Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is gloriously ascended to the right hand of God where he serves as a great high priest. This ministry has enormous implications for believers. Yet Christ’s priesthood can often be one of the most neglected doctrines in Christian experience. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the impact of Christ’s priesthood on congregational singing. They also review the hymn “Before the Throne.”

One of the chief advantages of congregational singing as an element of worship is its intrinsic involvement of the congregation. Yet Christians can still fail to see the precise ways they engage with God in corporate singing. Many of the best hymns are themselves prayers and petitions. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the intersection between congregational singing and prayer. They also review Robert Robinson’s classic hymn “Come Thou Fount.”

With such a fine heritage of songs and hymns from previous generations, why is it important for Christians today to write new songs? Why should churches introduce new songs? Who are some trusted sources for new songs? Zack and Alex discuss this topic and review one of their favorite hymns by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell, “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor.”

The Book of Psalms serves as a Holy Spirit-inspired hymnbook. The 150 chapters of the Psalter convey the full spectrum of Christian experience. Despite the richness of the Psalms, most churches find little use for them in congregational singing. In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the relevance of singing Psalms as well as practical ways of incorporating them in gathered worship.

Why do Christians sing? Is the purpose of Christian singing to glorify God or to benefit people? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the vertical and horizontal elements of singing. They also discuss “For All the Saints” by William Walsham How.

In this special Good Friday episode, Zack and Alex discuss the nature, extent, and importance of the atonement and its impact on congregational singing. They also review the hymn “Man of Sorrows” by Philip Bliss.

What does it mean for worship to be gospel-centered? What does it mean for worship to be Christ-centered? Does every song in a worship service need to explicitly reference the person and work of Jesus Christ? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the meaning and importance of gospel-centered singing. They also review the classic hymn “Christ the Solid Rock.”

How does a local church decide what songs to sing? How do leaders in the church introduce new songs to the congregation? In this episode, Zack and Alex discuss the importance of introducing songs that are biblically rich, congregational, and musically edifying.