Where Have Those Hymnals Gone?
The Bible is the most essential book for a Christian, and a good hymnal is the next best companion for the soul.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the vital role of hymnals in the devotional life of Christians, asserting that after the Bible, a good hymnal is the next best companion for the soul. He highlights the Bible as the essential book for spiritual nourishment, warning against neglecting it, which leads to error and spiritual starvation. Tozer advocates for the importance of a true hymnal, filled with timeless Christian hymns, as a means to enrich worship and devotion. He expresses a deep personal connection to this topic, urging believers to cherish both the Scriptures and the hymns that have shaped their faith.
Text
In order to express myself more freely on a matter that lies very near to my heart, I shall waive the rather stilted editorial we and speak in the first person.
The matter I have in mind is the place of the hymnbook in the devotional life of the Christian. For purposes of inward devotion, there is only one book to be placed before the hymnal, and that of course is the Bible. I say without qualification, after the Sacred Scriptures, the next best companion for the soul is a good hymnal.
For the child of God, the Bible is the book of all books, to be reverenced, loved, pored over endlessly and feasted upon as living bread and manna for the soul. It is the first-best book, the only indispensable book. To ignore it or neglect it is to doom our minds to error and our hearts to starvation.
After the Bible, the hymn book is next. And remember, I do not say a songbook or a book of gospel songs, but a real hymnal containing the cream of the great Christian hymns left to us by the ages.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of the Bible
- The Role of the Hymnal
- The hymnal as a companion for the soul
- The hymnal as a source of living bread and manna
Key Quotes
“For purposes of inward devotion, there is only one book to be placed before the hymnal, and that of course is the Bible.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is the first-best book, the only indispensable book.” — A.W. Tozer
“To ignore it or neglect it is to doom our minds to error and our hearts to starvation.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make the Bible a priority in your devotional life, reverencing and loving it as the first-best book.
- Use a good hymnal to provide spiritual nourishment and companionship for your soul.
- Avoid neglecting the Bible, as it can lead to error and starvation of the heart.