Sing a good song....with integrity

Sometimes when I am preparing for worship, I greatly enjoy choosing hymns and songs: I note the age in which they were written, I embrace the poetry, I acknowledge their theology against the great breadth of faith which constitutes the Christian Church…and I know that I will enjoy singing them as part of a shared act of worship. It doesn’t worry me that I may not agree literally with everything that I am singing.

At other times, however…well, the process of selecting hymns worries me: I find that I am analysing every word, since it matters to me that I will be able to sing it with integrity. It leaves me uneasy that I am embracing metaphors that have been helpful for former generations, but which can now seem archaic or off-putting; I read a verse and think, ‘Well, I would be more comfortable if I could rephrase this or that in such-and-such a way…’ I know that I am not always consistent: my own preference is for inclusive language, but at Christmas I actively encourage folk to sing familiar words from memory, if this is what is most helpful for them.

I suppose that it can be said that worship should be approached thoughtfully and offered with integrity… yet it is also important that we identify in some way with people of faith in every place and every age, and there are times when this means that we should use their words. Thoughtfulness cannot and should not exclude spontaneity; over-analysis can dull the searing brightness of the Spirit.

In a sense, of course, I know what a part of the answer is… for me, at least: to put pen to paper more often, and write a few more hymns and songs. I made a commitment to do this at some training recently, and I acknowledge that it is time to follow up the commitment that I made.

Now, any thoughts on areas where there may be a dearth of good, helpful hymns?