There is something special about the old hymns with which we continue to sing praises to God. Each of these hymns is at least a hundred years old, with "All Creatures of Our God" dating back to the 13th century!
These classic Christian songs are well-known even beyond church-going folks and have become part of our cultural heritage. May these old-time hymns bring you a sense of peace and joy in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)
Our 12 Favorite Old Hymns
Here is a list of our favorite old hymns with the year each was created. Click each hymn title to find the full lyrics, hymn meaning, and story on Godtube.com.
Amazing Grace - 1779
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
It Is Well, With My Soul - 1873
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing - 1757
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
What A Friend We Have in Jesus - 1855
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Go Tell It On The Mountain - 1865
While shepherds kept their watching
o’er silent flocks by night,
behold, throughout the heavens
there shone a holy light.
Go, tell it on the mountain,
over the hills and everywhere;
go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ is born.
I Surrender All - 1896
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.
Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Nothing But The Blood of Jesus - 1876
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
O precious is the flow
that makes me white as snow;
no other fount I know;
nothing but the blood of Jesus.
All Creatures of Our God and King - 1225
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!
A Mighty Fortress is Our God - 1529
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Give Me Jesus - 1845
In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.
Refrain:
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus.
You may have all this world, give me Jesus.
His Eye Is On The Sparrow - 1904
I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning, our song shall rise to thee;
holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who were and are and evermore shall be.
"I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (Psalm 9:2)
More Hymn Articles:
Hymns for Baptism
Joyful Christmas Hymns
Hymns about Faith to Trust in God
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Paha_L
Christianity.com's editorial staff is a team of writers with a background in the Christian faith and writing experience. We work to create relevant, inspiring content for our audience and update timely articles as necessary.
