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BOOK REVIEW: Then Sings My Soul, Book 3


 
Then Sings My Soul, Book 3
By: Robert J. Morgan
Published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Copyright 2011

Let's be honest.  Who really wants to read a dry, boring old book about hymns?  Today's world is so filled with praise music, contemporary music, whatever you want to call it.  Words are projected on an overhead screen, and we rarely ever use hymnals anymore.   Today's music is catchy and vibrant, and has everyone clapping their hands and swaying to the music.  It's uplifting, and it praises our Savior!  That's where Robert Morgan's book Then Sings My Soul Book 3,The Story of Our Songs: Drawing Strength from the Great Hymns of Our Faith  comes into play.

Mr. Morgan sets forth a case for never forgetting the songs of our past.  He begins with the history of hymns -- did you know the first recorded hymn is in the Bible?  Beginning in Exodus 15:1 a hymn is sung by Moses and the Israelites, having left Egypt and crossed over the parted Red Sea.  This is just the beginning of hymns in the Bible.  As pointed out by Mr. Morgan, hymns were a large part of the life of the Jew BEFORE the time of Christ, and continues on to this day. 

After discussing hymns in the Bible Mr. Morgan begins with the history of hymns in the early church, Medieval hymns, German hymns, English hymns and songs more modern.  This is followed by actual hymns (beginning in 100 a.d. with The Gloria Patri, otherwise known as Glory Be to the Father) and continues on to present day.  Some of these hymns I had heard and sung before, some I had not.  Alongside the story of each hymn is the actual hymn itself.  It was very difficult for me to read through the hymns instead of trying to sing the hymns.  But I suppose that is what was intended by the author.  I even got up a couple of times and tried some out on the piano, to the chagrin of my sons.

Closing Then Sings My Soul Book 3 is a section on how to use hymns today.  I am from the generation where hymns  and not much else were sung in church.  It took me a while to become a fan of praise and worship music.  However, I am learning to do as Mr. Morgan suggests and blend both hymns along with praise and worship into my life.  I have learned to love them both.

Unfortunately a lot of people today agree with my earlier comment about hymns being dry and boring.  They are not.  They are our Christian heritage.  A great deal of doctrine can be found in them.  However, we shouldn't adhere to one genre to the extent of ignoring the other.  Again as Mr. Morgan points out, we need to learn to blend our praise and worship music with the hymns of old.  Let's not lose any of our music!

This book and it's predecessors Books 1 and 2 would be a great addition to the library of anyone interested in music, music history, involved in church music, or just for those who love Christ.  I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have!
In order to comply with new Federal Trade Commission regulations, please note that this book was provided compliments of  Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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