Introduction

I have prayed that Hymnbook Treasures brings you joy each time you flip the page. (And don’t tear off the pages – just flip them so you can see them again next year!)

The words on these pages may bring back memories both sweet and sorrowful. Such is the divine design of music, that the lyrics or music of a favorite song can instantly evoke strong emotions and remind us of dear friends and special occasions from long ago.

Many of these hymns feel like old friends. They’ve grown with us, influenced us, and are part of our shared memories and experiences.

As the child of a minister and a church organist, my love for traditional hymns might not surprise you. But what has surprised me most in creating Hymnbook Treasures is how fond and intrigued I’ve become of the people and stories behind the hymns.

I read about the trials and triumphs of famous hymnists like John Newton, Charles Wesley, and Isaac Watts, and lesser-known hymnists and translators like George Bennard, Frances “Fanny” Crosby, Augustus M. Toplady, and Catherine Winkworth. I’ve also learned about the remarkable and pivotal role the church’s hymns had in shaping church, state, society, culture, and lives for the last 500 years.

If you don’t know or care much about “church music,” then I hope you will still enjoy the poetry and expressions of deep, abiding faith found on these pages. I’ve included a relevant Bible verse with every hymn to help you explore God’s Word from both the Old and New Testaments. Scan the QR codes with your smartphone or tablet to learn more about the hymns, their authors, other related scriptures, and even listen to the music on the Hymnary.org website.

Duing my work on this project, I’ve been struck by how often a hymn will stick in my mind for a day or two. These “earwigs” are constant reminders of God’s glory and mercy and the redemption we have through faith in Jesus Christ. What could be better than humming “It is well, it is well with my soul” all day long?!

I pray these Hymnbook Treasures will fill your heart and mind with the Gospel and the music of God’s faithful servants year after year.

Bruce Milligan
Indialantic, Florida
2026