What a thrill it has been this morning to learn that the 2008 Baptist Hymnal has just made its official debut. For those who may not know, new editions of the Baptist Hymnal are released approximately every 15 years, the last two editions being 1975 and 1991. It is therefore of great interest to note what songs are included in the latest edition, since the next one will not be until the year 2023 or later!
In the local church that I currently attend, we sing a lot of hymns from our church hymnal, but over the past year I have been teaching our congregation a number of modern hymns that have been written over the past decade or two (and are therefore not in our church hymnal). Out of these new additions to our congregational “repertoire”, the following have been included in the 2008 Baptist Hymnal:
In Christ Alone by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Before the Throne of God Above by Charitie Bancroft
The Power of the Cross by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townend
Speak, O Lord by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
In addition, the following songs that are on our “to-do list” have been included and will therefore rise to the top of the list of songs to learn next:
My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness by Keith & Kristyn Getty
O Church Arise by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Joy Has Dawned by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Beautiful One by Stuart Townend
There are many other songs and hymns that have been included, and there is no doubt that this latest edition of the Baptist Hymnal will be a great help to the church. The full list of hymns, with the page numbers, hymn tunes and keys is available here.
Father, thank you for this gift to the church. May we use it regularly and often to find expression and give voice to the worship in our hearts that we long to lift up to You. Amen.
