“Favorite Hymns Live!” is the latest 2-disk set CD offering of Jeanne T. Arrigo, a Chicago-based American pop-folk singer/songwriter and stage performer. It is a follow-up to her successful 2005 “The Journey’s About to Begin.”

Anne Steele, Hymn Writer, and Hans G. Nägeli, Composer

© Tel Asiado

Sep 1, 2008

The theme in this hymn “Father, Whatever of Earthly Bliss” is that of reliance and thankfulness to God. God always blesses the sacrifices of His children.

The Bible reference is found in 1 Peter 5:10, which says, “And the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Full article …[Father, Whatever of Earthly Bliss]

Written by Dorothy Gurney, Composed by Joseph Barnby

© Tel Asiado

Aug 17, 2008

The wedding hymn “O Perfect Love” was written in 1883 by an English writer, Dorothy B. Gurney, who wrote only this one hymn text throughout her lifetime. She wrote this for her older sister’s wedding.

Gurney stated that writing this hymn was no effort after the initial idea came to her from the two-fold aspect of perfect union – love and life – and that she always felt God helped her write it. The text first appeared in the Anglican Church hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern, Supplement, published in 1889.

Full article … [O Perfect Love]

Sacred Song Written by William Cowper, Composed by John Dykes

© Tel Asiado

Aug 17, 2008

The story goes that William Cowper, the hymn author of “O for a Closer Walk with God,” lived a sad life. Early on, he developed a chronic melancholia and despondency that plagued him until death. In one state of mental torment, he attempted suicide by drowning in October, 1773.

Although Cowper wrote much fine devotional materials, he was continually troubled by the lack of assurance of his own salvation.

Full article … [O for a Closer Walk with God]

Sacred Hymn Written by Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)

© Tel Asiado

Aug 9, 2008

Henry Williams Baker wrote “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” a sacred hymn based on Psalm 23 of the Holy Bible, a chapter loved by Christians all over the world known as “The Shepherd Psalm.” This hymn is considered the most beautiful rendition of the Twenty-Third Psalm.The music is said to have originated from an ancient Irish melody.

Full article … [The King of Love my Shepherd is]

Sacred Song Written and Composed by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909)

© Tel Asiado

This sacred hymn “Softly and Tenderly” was used widely as an “invitation hymn” in the

This sacred hymn “Softly and Tenderly” was used widely as an “invitation hymn” in the great evangelistic meetings conducted by famous evangelist Dwight Lyman (D.L.) Moody and Ira Sankey throughout Great Britain and the United States.

Early Years of Will Thompson

Will L. Thompson was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, on November 7, 1847. His father, Josiah Thompson, was a member of the Ohio State Legislature for two terms. Young Thompson attended the Boston Music school from 1870-1873. Later he studied advance music in Germany.

Full article … [Softly and Tenderly Hymn Notes]

Words by Isaac Watts (1719), Music by William Croft (1708)

© Tel Asiado

Aug 8, 2008

“Our God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a sacred hymn still sung at all festive occasions in England, considered one of the grandest in the English hymnody. It is a paraphrase of Psalm 90, a psalm of Moses, originally consisting of nine stanzas. Today, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas one, two, three, five and nine.

Full article … [Our God, Our Help in Ages Past]

Words by Joseph Scriven, Music by Charles C. Converse

© Tel Asiado

Jun 16, 2008

There is something in the hymn written by Joseph Scriven and composed by Charles C. Converse that brings solace and comfort to countless God’s people since first written in 1855.

The lyrics of this hymn are so relevant to the basic spiritual needs that many missionaries say it is one of the first sacred music taught to new converts.

Here’s the full article … [What a Friend We Have in Jesus]

What significant way to reflect on Father’s Day, in celebration of the Dads in the world, than to give thanks and laud him, the greatest and most awesome father of all, our Father God Almighty!

Here’s a brief history of the hymn “This is My Father’s World.”

Hymn by Maltbie Babcock and Franklin Sheppard, Tune “Terra Beata”

© Tel Asiado

Jun 6, 2008

Notes on “This is My Father’s World,” a hymn by Maltbie Babcock, showing God’s presence, power, personality and purpose. Scripture references Psalm 33:5, Psalm 50:12b

“This is My Father’s World” is taken from a sixteen-verse poem written by the Reverend Maltbie D. Babcock, one of the outstanding Presbyterian ministers of his day. It was published posthumously in 1901. The first line of each of the sixteen stanzas begins with “This is my Father’s World.”
Link to the full article —> “This is My Father’s World”

Here’s another lifelong favourite… “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died…”

Famous Hymn by Isaac Watts and Lowell Mason, “Hamburg” Tune

© Tel Asiado

Mar 15, 2008

Notes on “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” a sacred song often sung on Good Friday.

“When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” was written by English text author Isaac Watts (1674-1748), referred to as the ‘Father of English Hymnody.’ The music was taken from a Gregorian chant, and arranged by composer Lowell Mason (1792-1872).

One of the greatest hymns, this popular…

Here’s the full article … [When I Survey the Wondrous Cross]