Monthly column on hymns and songs
A text whose time has come?
Once every so often you meet a hymn that demonstrates single-handedly that the hymn writing age is not over. Even today a potential masterpiece may be fashioned for churches yet unborn to inherit.
Christopher Idle
Such riches do not come out of the blue. They often emerge after years of grafting away at acceptable but lesser lines, as someone's skill slowly approaches that special standard granted to a few of God's creative children. Contrary to legend, the Lord does not 'inspire' writers by using them as mere pens in his hand, or even word processors at his desk.
