Favorite Hymn or Spiritual Song

I love Amazing Grace - many years ago, I 'overheard' someone practicing it alone, on their saxaphone in a large empty auditorium. It was haunting and I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever heard...

I also like 'To God be the Glory.'

Another one of my dearest favorites is 'In the Garden.' I can't sing it through without cracking...

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I'd stay in the garden with Him
'Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

- Words and Music by Charles Austin Miles, 1913

Another, brighter, favorite of mine is 'This is My Father's World'

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

Music - Franklin L. Sheppard, 1915
Lyrics - Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901

Digital Hymnal is a site with free midi files of many of these old hymns.

While I am a fan of many of the older hymns I've heard, I'm one of them folks who really enjoys modern hymns. Matt Redman is probably my favorite lyricist for praise music, followed closely by Chris Tomlin. I think that, at this stage in my spiritual walk, Undignified by Redman is my favorite:

I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king
nothing lord is hindering the passion in my soul
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king
nothing lord is hindering the passion in my soul

and ill become even more undignified than this
some would say its foolishness but
I'll become even more undignified than this
some would say its foolishness

I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king
nothing lord is hindering the passion in my soul
I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king
nothing lord is hindering the passion in my soul

Especially considering the motivation for this song, coming out of 2 Sam 6, when David dances with all his might to the Lord as the Ark is being returned to Israel, casting aside his dignity and only having eyes and cares for God.

Another song that just amazes me every time I hear it and try to fathom the Father is Indescribable by Chris Tomlin:

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
Incomparable, Unchangeable,
You see the depths of my heart and you love me the same.
You are amazing God

And finally, there's a song by Casting Crowns that always humbles me and encourages me with the reminder that God doesn't need me in any way, yet He still chooses to want me. The amazing love (another great song ) God has for each of us strikes me when I hear it and I find it very difficult to keep tears from filling my eyes It's also a great reminder that, even when He is calling me to do something completely out of my comfort zone, when He's calling me to live my life on the edge, that I don't have to rely on my strength to get through it; that, in fact, if I do try to rely on my own strength to do it, I will fail. You are amazing, God!

If you ask me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If You ask me to go
Preach to the lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that you want me
So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If You ask me to run
And carry Your light into foreign land
If You ask me to fight
Deliver Your people from Satan's hand

To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a savior
To feel with Your heart
And to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory

Sanguis Bibimus.
Corpus Edimus.

Sanguis Bibimus.
Corpus Edimus.

Sanguis Bibimus.
Corpus Edimus.
Tolle Corpus Satani!
Ave!

Sanguis Bibimus.
Corpus Edimus.
Tolle Corpus Satani!
Ave!

Ave! Ave Versus Christus!
Ave! Ave Versus Christus!
Ave! Ave Versus Christus!
Ave Satani!

Sanguis Bibimus.
Corpus Edimus.
Tolle Corpus Satani!
Satani!
Satani!
Ave!
Ave!
Satani!



Phrase Translations in Alphabetical Order:
-----------
Ave! = Hail!
Ave! Ave Versus Christus! = Hail! Hail the Antichrist!
Ave Satani! = Hail Satan!
Corpus Edimus. = The flesh we eat.
Sanguis Bibimus. = The blood we drink.
Satani! = Satan!
Tolle Corpus Satani! = Raise the body of Satan!

Thank you to all of you who have contributed to this thread so far. Let's keep them coming! I know there are a lot of you out there reading the posts but not posting yourself; I invite you to join us in sahing the words and music that inspire us and give us joy.

JJ - I am also a huge fan of contemporary praise and worship music, my favorite artists being Michael W Smith, Rich Mullins and Keith Green.
I also am a tremendous admirer of the music of Phil Keaggy; here are the lyrics to his song, "Let Everything Else Go." I have heard it maybe a hundred times and I still can not listen to it without tears.

Let Everything Else Go ~ Words and music by Phil Keaggy

Chasing down hot air balloons on Sunday morning,
In pace with a familiar tune
I reach for nothing less, but something more.
All the day, and the wind is at my back most of the way.

Holding conversation with a friend I know is near,
Great anticipation fills my soul,
It fills my heart, it fills the air.
All the day, and the wind is at my back

Oh I can't wait to see you Jesus, face to face,
Nothing in this world can take Your place.
All the pride of man laid low,
And all his works of gold,
Nothing can compare with what You are,
Let everything else go.

God's blessings be with you all.

Well this is neither a hymn or a song but something more sacred, it is a mantra.

The gayatri mantra :

In the devanagri script :

ॐ भूर्भुवस्वः ।
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥

The pronounciation of the mantra :

oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tát savitúr váreniyaṃ
bhárgo devásya dhīmahi
dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

The English meaning:

O nourishing Sun, solitary traveler, controller, source of life for all creatures, spread your light and subdue your dazzling splendor so that I may see your blessed Self. Even that very Self am I!

This is one of the most sacred mantras in the Vedic religion and is revered as to be the source of great power. It is used in almost every prayer and is by far the most well known mantra to most Hindu's.

I like to listen to this as it is very pleasing and calming to me personally, I cant attest for its supernatural abilities.

Bask in its radiance !

edit: some will not be able to see the sanskrit script on their browsers, please change your settings of your browser to Unicode (UTF-8) if you want to see it. Else excuse the garbled text.


[edit on 10-11-2006 by IAF101]

Not all my favorite 'Jesus Jams' are such that church congregations include in their standard reportoire. Nevertheless, I find much to inspire in all genres....

Get Together

Love is but the song we sing,
And fear's the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Know the dove is on the wing
And you need not know why

C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now

Some will come and some will go
We shall surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moments sunlight
Fading in the grass

C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now

If you hear the song I sing,
You must understand
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command

C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
Right now
Right now!

© The Youngbloods

The melody is SOOO beautiful, too, IMO!

Headless Cross

Look through the people and on through the mist
To the hill of the headless cross,
Where all witches meet, on a night such as this
And the power of darkness is host
They come face to face, eye to eye, soul to soul,
With an angel that fell from the sky.
Borne on the air, lot of screams and the wails
Of the masses appointed to die.

Listen for the feet as they pound the land to a tune of thunder
Watch as the legions ride again to a fate of death or torture,
At the headless cross, at the headless cross.

From the first evil night, when a black flash of light
Cut the crucifix half to the ground.
There's been no escape from the power of Satan.
On a nation so brave and so proud

Listen for the feet as they pound the land to a tune of thunder
Watch as the legions ride again to a fate of death or torture,
At the headless cross, at the headless cross.

Ahahahohohoh Ahahahohohoh
Ahahahohohoh Ahahahohohoh
Ahhhhhhh...

How do ya feel when the locks refuse the key.
And the master is calling your name?
Does the luck of the charm, really keep you from harm?
Does the tallisman protect you from pain?

Listen for the feet as they pound the land to a tune of thunder
Watch as the legions ride again to a fate of death or torture,
At the headless cross, at the headless cross.

From the first evil night. when a black flash of light
Cut the crucifix half to the ground.
There's no escaping from the power of Satan.
For a people so brave and so proud

Listen for the feet as they pound the land to a tune of thunder
Watch as the legions ride again to a fate of death or torture,
oh no oh
oh!
(Headless Cross), at the Headless Cross
(At the Headless Cross), ohh, at the Headless Cross.
Ooh where will you run to?
At the Headless Cross.
Look to the Headless Cross oh

Amen

Is Ave Maria a Spiritual Song???

Also is Beethoven last song counts to?????

Any song that moves your spirit is surely qualified as 'spiritual!'

I collect old hymnals. The oldest one I have has a copyright of 1874, and then I also have a hymnal that belonged to one of the origional pioneer families of the city of Shaniko, Oregon which is now a ghost town. How cool is that???

It was a booming sheep/wool trade town at the turn of the century, and also known as "The wool capitol of the world" in it's day. I only gave a dollar for that one at an antique store. Inside the cover of the hymnal is the name Mrs. W. A. Rees and this particular hymnal has a copyright 1912.

Just slightly off topic, sorry...just wanted to share that. These are my two most treasured hymnals

Originally posted by jensouth31
I collect old hymnals. The oldest one I have has a copyright of 1874, and then I also have a hymnal that belonged to one of the origional pioneer families of the city of Shaniko, Oregon which is now a ghost town. How cool is that???

Just slightly off topic, sorry...just wanted to share that. These are my two most treasured hymnals

No worries, Jen, thanks for sharing; sounds like a great hobby to me. You are preserving a part of our spiritual heritage that might be lost otherwise.

"And now will you all turn to hymn number 47 in your hymnals, while brother Stormrider leads us in song..."

Music: Ashmedi & Moloch / Lyrics: Ashmedi

Spheres of Chaos, bring forth demise
I see destruction through me eyes
Behold the sphinx of Ashur rise
He brings Akkad's demise

Assyrian war Demon
Assyrian war Genii

A hail of demons attack from the sky
Black form figures with red eyes
Armed with scimitars forged in gold
Hear their howling and their cries

Assyrian war Demon
Assyrian war Genii
Assyrian war Demon
Assyrian battle skies

"I traveled all the worlds
I see it before my eyes
The land of all nine wh*res
New Babylon in the sky
This is the only way, to rule with fire
Wardjinn leaves the stone"

The creature is unleashed
Blowing the hot xul sands
Spreading his wings
Fire lightning from his hands
This mighty Djinn
A beast made before man
Macro-destruction released by his chants

His chants:
"Xul alla xul"
Shout
"Zi dingir alla xul"
His chants:
"Xul alla xul"
Infernal chants
"Shamash maklu xul"

Whirling fire-winds sweep the battle fields
Oh, the beauty of their cries
Nineth Sphere of Chaos released from the mind
Macro-destruction, the wardjinn smiles

Assyrian war Demon
Assyrian war Genii
Assyrian war Demon
Assyrian battle skies

[edit on 12-11-2006 by Rasobasi420]

Has pretty deep meaning for me, because it parrallels my own life.
Gently By Slipknot

"Gently, my mind escapes into the relaxing
World of pleasure, a pleasure thatll take
My mind off the reality of my life,
My past life... life as I know it now.

And whatever may come, it slowly
Disappears to somewhere in the back
Of my mind. it will remain there,
Until I wish to retrieve it.

Yes, I will stay here for a while,
For I need the break. a break from the
Pressures of life, and everything
That lays in the palm of lifes hands.

This mode is incredible. its out of
This world. too bad I must always leave it...
... but thats life."

Here's another good version of O Holy Night. Listen to it. Jussi Björling

I danced in the morning
When the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon
And the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven
And I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem
I had my birth.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he


I danced for the scribe
And the pharisee,
But they would not dance
And they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John -
They came with me
And the Dance went on.

Chorus

I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.

Chorus

I danced on a Friday
When the sky turned black -
It's hard to dance
With the devil on your back.
They buried my body
And they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance,
And I still go on.

Chorus

They cut me down
And I leapt up high;
I am the life
That'll never, never die;
I'll live in you
If you'll live in me -
I am the Lord
Of the Dance, said he.

This is what makes me fill up with joy - along with Here I am Lord, these two are my absolute favorites in church.

DK.