Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan Book Review

Title: Then Sings My Soul
Author Robert J. Morgan
Genre: Non-Fiction, Religiou
Source: Paperback
Rating: 3 out of 5 paws


Hymns are sung throughout many churches, hymns that date back to a time we cannot remember.  Each song was written with deep emotion and conviction.  As we sing these songs, sometimes we forget the origins of which they were written, the feelings the authors felt while writing these songs.  This book provides a deep look into what provoked each writer to compose these hymns and share them with the world.

I found this book in my church library and thought it would be interesting to find out the history and deeper meaning behind some of the hymns that I grew up with.  Out of the 150 songs included in this book, I knew maybe 5 the rest I haven't heard of and couldn't really find myself relating too.  I was sad when I realized the song "Then Sings My Soul" actually was not included in this book and I wondered why.

I did like that one page had the hymn and the next gave the history behind it.  When reading the history it was almost like reading a devotion with it.  We see how some of the composers struggled and were affected by life around them that they NEEDED to get it into song format.  Many of these songs were their prayers to God, pleading and crying out to him.  That gave me a deeper meaning and understanding to these songs. I loved seeing some songs that are geared more towards Christmastime included, but also thought that could have been a book of it's own. It was cool to get to read on the origins of some of my favorite songs like "Amazing Grace," and I got the chance to learn about some other songs that aren't normally sung within my church so it was kind of special to see what motivated songwriters to write these songs.

It did get a little frustrating when the same line was used a lot "it was during this time he(she) penned this hymn." It felt generic, repetitive, and cheap.  There was a biographic portion about the author to try and tie in the time and feeling into the song.  While for some hymns this worked, but for others I wondered "what did that have to do with the song."  But regardless of those  minor issues this is still a great book to read for those who love music and hymns.  I recommend it if you want a good devotional to read or give as a gift.