My Ten Favorite Christian Hymns

I am pretty sure that I own at least 25 different hymnals and song books, out of them my favorite Christian Hymns are all found in Great Hymns of the Faith which was compiled by John W. Peterson and published by Brentwood-Benson © 1968. Here is the list of my ten favorite Christian hymns from that book. Be sure to visit my YouTube channel to listen to the hymns as well: Pamela’s YouTube Channel.

Featured Hymn: Since I Have Been Redeemed (Edwin Othello Excell)
As I write this article I am listening to the Greater Vision trio sing this lovely hymn in a medley with a couple others. I have so many favorite Christian hymns that sometimes I find it hard to choose “the” favorite. I chose to feature this one not only because it is a great hymn of faith that will lift your spirits every time you sing it, but also because the story behind the writer is short but sweet. Edwin Excell was a preacher’s kid (pk) born in Stark County, Ohio (my home state). When he went out to earn a wage he did it laying brick and plastering walls. That did not last long because his desire and call to music took him to Chicago where he was honored to study under George Root a renowned teacher and composer. Excell eventually started several schools of music and even worked with Evangelist Sam Jones for 20 years. He is best known for the hymn “Joy to the World”. He is credited for writing over 2,000 Gospel Songs.[1] I have found a lovely piano duet of this one, enjoy it below:

Lyrics to first verse and chorus:

I have a song I love to sing,
Since I have been redeemed,
Of my Redeemer, Savior king,
Since I have been redeemed.

Chorus:
Since I have been redeemed,
Since I have been redeemed,
I will glory in His name;
Since I have been redeemed,
I will glory in His name.

All Hail the Power (Edward Perronet)

There are two different melodies to this hymn, the one that I like best is the one known as “Coronation”.

Sample of the Lyrics:

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Day by Day (Karolina, Sandell-Berg)

Sample Lyrics:

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Glory to His Name (Elisha A. Hoffman)

Lyrics:

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul (John W. Peterson)

Sample Lyrics:

Oh, what a wonderful wonderful day
Day I will never forget
After I wandered in darkness away
Jesus my savior I met
O what a tender compassionate friend,
He met the need of my heart,
Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling
He made all the darkness depart.

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul
When at the cross the Savior made me whole
My sins He washed away, and my night He turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul.

Holy, Holy, Holy (Reginald Heber)

This is one of my top ten and one of my husband’s two favorites. The best way I ever heard this sung was by a few thousand men on a recording that I heard from one of the Promise Keepers conventions. It was sung a capella with parts and sent chills up and down my spine! Hillsong United does a pretty good job in the video below too:

In the Garden (Charles Austin Miles)

Lyrics:

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Love Lifted Me (James Rowe)

Lyrics:

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more,
But the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!

All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.

Refrain

Souls in danger look above, Jesus completely saves,
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey,
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.

Refrain

Pass Me Not (Fanny J. Crosby)

Lyrics:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry,
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee,
Whom in Heav’n but Thee.

Wonderful Words of Life (Philip P. Bliss)

Lyrics:

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.

Refrain:
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify us forever.