The “Best Hymn”?

Question: Ken asks, “What is the best hymn, in your opinion?”

Answer: Though there is agreement on some hymns that belong near the top of the list, a final choice will always come down to subjective opinion. And it depends a lot on the criteria laid down for evaluating them. The three traditional hymns that hymnologists often put at the top of the list are: Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Rock of Ages; and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. Others ranking near the top are: All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending; and Abide With Me.

If the question were to be a bit different, and we asked what are the most popular hymns, the answer has changed somewhat over the years. An extensive poll, taken 50 years ago, rated the following as the top ten favourites (in order of rank): The Old Rugged Cross; What a Friend We Have in Jesus; I Love to Tell the Story; In the Garden; Rock of Ages; Sweet Hour of Prayer; Abide with Me; He Leadeth Me; Jesus Lover of My Soul; and Nearer My God To Thee.

In 1990, ten thousand people of all ages were asked to list their favourites. The top ten (in order) were: Amazing Grace; How Great Thou Art; In the Garden; The Old Rugged Cross; What a Friend We Have in Jesus; A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; Blessed Assurance; He Lives; Victory in Jesus; and Holy, Holy, Holy.

You will notice that the two favourite hymns on the more current list do not even appear in the top ten a generation ago. So, are they new hymns? Hardly. “Amazing Grace” was first published in 1779, and “How Great Thou Art” was written in 1886. But in 1955, the Billy Graham Toronto Crusade introduced a “new” hymn they had found, and within the next few years “How Great Thou Art” had become the most popular hymn in America. Then, in 1970, folk singer Judy Collins made a recording of “Amazing Grace” and it went on to achieve “Top 40” status on the hit parade–one of the few Christian songs ever to do so. It has been popular ever since.