The great hymns of the past have such rich words and concepts. Often we don't sing them today because the style of the music is inaccessible. We just can't relate to the choral harmonies and organ music. When last did you hear that on the radio?!
We must remember, though, that very often these hymns were written as poems and set later to music, and that many tunes were used for the same hymn. 100 years later, the most popular one has stuck.
Case in point is Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise. This hymn was written in the 19th century by Walter Chalmers Smith, and the tune that we know is called St Denio, a Welsh folk-ballad tune.
It is a hymn about the reading of Scripture (read the Wikipedia article - very interesting!), and takes its inspiration from 1 Timothy 1.15-17, Romans 16.25-27, 2 Corinthians 3.12-18, and 1 Timothy 6.11-16, among others.
Chris McClarney has just released a modern version of this classic hymn that sounds fantastic and that I can't wait to do at our evening services. Chris sounds a little like Paolo Nutini, but he's got a unique, classic-soul vibe that's all his own. The music can be purchased at http://www.kingswayworship.co.uk/immortal-invisible/
Love to hear your comments on the song!
(I found this song through my subscription to Kingsway.com. Each week, I have a new song emailed to me free of charge, both the .mp3 and the official sheet music in .pdf format. I can't recommend enough that you sign up!)
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