Hymns II

Very good hymn book--lots of classics and more contemporary songs (contemporary to 1976 at least). Vendor shipped very quickly and item arrived in very good condition.

I originally purchased the hymnal during SST. Now, over ten years later, I found myself looking for the book and couldn't find it. I am so glad it is still being published. I love it. This is for anyone who appreciates the tradition of hymns during worship (private or corporate).

I was first introduced to Hymns II while a college student, a quarter of a centruy ago, through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. It taught me how to sing, how to play guitar and how to worship while restating the thoughts of 17 centuries of Christian songwriters. It includes a good selection of E. Margaret Clarkson hymns (loaded with scripture and deep theological content), but is missing one of her best-known, "So Send I You." Hymns II was published just before Christian music was damged by chorus-only pseudo-worship, which has fostered an unfortunate anti-intellectualism and false sense of God's presense based on "feelings." Those of us who cling to the hymn remain voices crying in the wilderness. I'm buying this item today because my old copy is simply worn out with love, tears and coffee stains. I cannot imagine my life of faith without my Hymns II. Thank you Mr. Beckwith and IVP (and Martin Bucer).

This good little collection of hymns is the hymnbook I use for my chaplaincy at a local retirement centre. It is not tied to any particular denomination, but rather has a broad cross-section of my hymns from the Christian tradition. I have found that Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, Disciples and others have found hymns from their own traditions in this text, as well as a good selection of hymns that are new to them. This text has a good balance of tradition fare as well as more recent pieces. The book is arranged by broad subject. In addition to this general organisation, there are indices according to first line/title, scripture reference (which is very handy for the preacher to tie hymns together with the sermon), metrical tunes, tune names, hymn text authors, translators and sources, and composers, sources, and arrangers. Many hymnals share many of these features, but few have all of these features. There are 204 hymns, from standards such as 'Amazing Grace' and 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' to more modern pieces like 'As a Deer Longs for Water'. This is a good ecumenical collection that will appeal to a wide range of singers and congregations. The one thing missing from the collection is that it does not have a Christmas carol/hymn section, so that will require additional books for a congregation or choir.The book is spiral bound, so that the binding is not one that will crack. It is a softcover, which is a bit of a drawback, given that hymnals often get heavy wear over time. The music is presented in fairly full arrangements, so that hymns may be sung in parts. Overall, this is a good basic hymnal to have.