Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "The Little Sect on the Prairie Is All About Doctri...":
Pr. Jackson,
This question has little to do with previous posts. Knowing that you are a true lover of Lutheran hymnody, I have a question for you: What are your top ten favorite hymns of all time? The primary list would, of course, be based on text. If at all possible, perhaps a second list based on tune or an aesthetic / personal choice could be made? I thank you for your time. I am a WELS teacher looking for a new set of hymns for my students to study this school year - and I would like your opinion.
***
GJ - This is tempting and dangerous at the same time. I will start with great texts. As much as I love Luther's hymns, Gerhardt's are even better when viewed as doctrinal, inspirational essays.
TLH 142 - A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth - Gerhardt
TLH 528 - If God Himself Be For Me - Gerhardt
TLH 192 - Awake, My Heart, With Gladness - Gerhardt
TLH 85 - From Heaven Above - Luther
TLH 287 - That Man a Godly Life Might Live - Luther
TLH 260 - O Lord, Look Down from Heaven - Luther (to Nun freut euch)
TLH 292 - Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide - Selnecker
TLH 656 - Behold a Host, Arrayed in White - Brorson
TLH 305 - Soul Adorn Thyself - Johann Franck
TLH 347 - Jesus, Priceless Treasure - Johann Franck
Hymns I love to sing - with especially good melodies:
TLH 657 - Beautiful Savior - Author Unknown
TLH 479 - Zion Rise - Johann Schmidt
TLH 429 - Lord, Thee I Love - Martin Schalling (Selnecker's friend)
TLH 458 - Our Father, Thou in Heaven Above - Luther
TLH 331 - Yea, As I Live - Nikolaus Hermam (to Old Hundredth)
TLH 207 - Like the Golden Sun Ascending - Thomas Kingo
TLH 259 - Flung to the Heedless Winds - Luther's first hymn
TLH 40 - The God of Abraham Praise - Thomas Olivers
TLH 44 - Ye Lands to the Lord - Ulrik Koren
Children of the Heavenly Father - Carolina Sandell
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.
Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.
***
I hope this helps. Teaching great hymns to children is a great service to the Kingdom of God. Everyone is blessed by your work.
Note all the hymn videos linked on the left column, including one of my all-time favorites, which I cannot find in English - Gerhardt's "Lobet den Herren."
