We often sing the songs of Isaac Watts as a normal part of our worship services.  This type of hymn was not always available to the church, however.  Prior to Watts' "invention" of the English hymn, most singing in British churches was from the Psalms.  His hymns not only brought a new singing experience to the church, he also brought a New Testament view to the Psalms.  We see this in the hymn Joy to the World! that flowed out of Psalm 98:4.  Our Christmases have resounded for 300 years with this uplifting and inspiring carol that came from his pen.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

From the medieval aristocracy to the monastery.  Bernard of Clairvaux felt the call of God on his life to follow Christ in the monastic ministry.  We are blessed that he followed the leading.  Not only did he advise kings and popes, but helped preserve the doctrine of the Trinity, was a hymnwriter and more.  The hymn O Sacred Head, Now Wounded is often sung during Easter services and gives us much to contemplate about Christ's death on the cross.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

From the bitter days on the plantations arose a unique musical genre, the Negro spiritual.  John W. Work, Jr., loved the music and strove to preserve it and have it performed.  Initially, Go Tell It on the Mountain was not well-known but Work published it along with many other songs of that genre.  The Christmas message of the liberating Savior's birth not only brought hope to slaves but brings that message to all mankind.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

When we read the narratives of the lives of Joseph or Job, Paul or even Jesus, we do not always see what God is doing in people's lives.  This was also true of the prominent black Philadelphia preacher Charles A. Tindley, for whom the Tindley Temple Methodist Church was named.  In his service to Jesus, he was faithful and knew that one day all would be made known, as expressed in the song he wrote, We'll Understand It Better By and By.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

A mother's prayers.  A dying man's comfort.  A Bible that was sold but found its way back to its original owner many years later.  These are the elements that make for mystery and miracles to bring a soul to the Savior.  Perseverance in prayer is something for which we may not see the results but we must continue on.  God will work through those prayers.  Let William P. Mackay's hymn, Revive Us Again, be our cry for both ourselves and those we know and love.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

As we go through life, we often look at a pathway that is unclear at best and many times unsettling.  Regardless our confidence on the path, we can be secure knowing it is God who leads us along.  The pathway may be obvious or mysterious but as He leads, we have our confidence in Him, as the Psalmist clearly proclaims to us.  This is true for us individually and also for us as a nation.  He leads us in the paths of righteousness.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

Unless you are familiar with the events of the English Reformation, you may not be aware of the religious turmoil in England as the monarchs changed.  Even in the mid-1700s, Charles Wesley's preaching and ministry were not always welcome, the hostility sometimes coming to the point of being dangerous.  Despite those trials, he persevered in his service to the Lord.  He spoke to huge outdoor crowds, many numbering in the thousands, and was a prolific hymnwriter.  Today's hymnals include many of his hymns, such as this much-loved Rejoice the Lord is King, but they only scratch the surface of the number of hymns he wrote.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

William Booth had a tremendous ministry in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, converting many to become followers of Jesus.  He began to focus his ministry primarily among the poor of London's East End.  Though persecuted, his ministry grew and he began calling it The Salvation Army, as the converts saw themselves having enlisted in the Lord's army.  And, the Salvation Army brass bands?  Would you find it a surprise they started out as protection for the Salvation Army workers?  Enjoy this bit of faith and history.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

Graduations are celebratory events that can reach to the point of regal.  Such was the vision of Ernest Shurtleff when he penned the words to Lead On, O King Eternal.  He wrote this prayer, "seeing" fellow seminarians marching to receive their diplomas and seeking the guidance of God.  The words he wrote are as regal as Henry Smart's tune to which it is set, LANCASHIRE.  This hymn still inspires us today.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com

A birthday celebration for an emperor and two national anthems, Franz Joseph Haydn's melody AUSTRIA, has stirred many for years.  For Christians around the world, the melody carries John Newton's song Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken and lifts us up to the city of Zion he metaphorically describes.  This is another of the songs found in the famous hymnal Olney Hymns first published in 1779, in Olney, England.

Article taken from Then Sings My Soul, Volumes 1 & 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Copyright © 2003 by Robert J. Morgan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com