A Review of When Morning Gilds the Skies: Hymns of Heaven and Our Eternal Hope
Christianity is noted for its hymns. This volume, the fourth and last in this series, opens up twelve familiar hymns to the reader.
- Byron Snapp
Christianity is noted for its hymns. This volume, the fourth and last in this series, opens up twelve familiar hymns to the reader.
A chapter is devoted to each hymn. Included in each are the words, an explanation of the hymn's message, and the background of the hymn and its tune.. The hymns chosen are full of biblical truth and thus spiritual truth. Among the hymns included are: How Firm A Foundation; Amazing Grace; Love Divine, All Loves Excelling; and Holy! Holy! Holy! The volume also includes the music and words to each hymn at the end of the book.
Accompanying the volume is a CD with all the hymns beautifully sung by the authors. The vocals and background accompaniment are works of quality. They clearly are not done for entertainment purposes but rather allow the reader to focus on God's glory and majesty.
The book is attractive in appearance and the text is well written. These familiar hymns can be more appreciated when we better understand the reason for their composition. We can add depth to our worship as we meditate on the theme that is often developed from one stanza to the next. This volume aids the reader in each of these areas.
- Byron Snapp
Byron Snapp is a graduate of King College (B.A.) and Reformed Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He was Associate Pastor at Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church, Hampton, Virginia, from 1994 until his retirement in December 2014. He is a native of Marion, Virginia. He has had pastorates in Leakesville, Mississippi, and Gaffney, South Carolina. He served as Assistant Pastor in Cedar Bluff, Virginia prior to his ministry at Calvary Reformed. He has served as editor of the Presbyterian Witness and was a contributor to A Comprehensive Faith and Election Day Sermons. He is currently a member of Westminster Presbytery in the PCA. He and his wife Janey have 3 children and several grandchildren.