Daily Devotion

“The beauty of hymns does not lie in the gorgeousness of the words, but in the truth hidden in them. Every word points the sinner to the cross, every sentence speaks of the precious blood of the Saviour. Singers should examine themselves with this truth in order to gain the benefits of life.”

Julia Brown Mateer · Hymnbook

Scripture

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing praises to God with grace in your hearts.

Reflection

Edward DeWine's exhortation and Colossians 3:16 serve as a spiritual mirror. We often pursue melodious tunes and beautiful lyrics in praise, neglecting the weighty truth of the cross behind the hymns. True worship is not an emotional outpouring, but a rich manifestation of Christ's teachings. When I sing hymns, is my heart deeply pierced by the salvation of the cross? Are each word leading me back to the cleansing of Christ's blood? Praise should be an opportunity to examine the soul, uniting the outward song with the inner life. Only then can praise transcend superficiality, allowing people to be nourished and benefited in the truth.