Significance of Easter hymns

by Lloyd RAJARATNAM DEVARAJAH

Easter is the chief festival of the Christian calendar year, commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, today for the Christian churches.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which comes 40 days before Easter Sunday (not counting the Sundays). The last seven days of Lent constitute Holy Week beginning from Palm Sunday (March 28, 2010). The last Thursday (April 1, 2010) is called Maundy Thursday - marking the institution of the Eucharist.

The following day is Good Friday (April 2, 2010). It is believed that "Good Friday" originated from "God's Friday" - the day Jesus was taken to the hill of Golgotha and crucified. Easter Sunday (April 4, 2010) marks the triumphant victory over death, of His Resurrection.

The earliest date on which Easter can fall is March 22. It fell on that date in 1761 and 1818 but will not do so in the 20th or 21st centuries. The latest possible date for Easter is April 25. It fell on that date in 1943 and will do so again in 2038.

It occurs about the same time as the ancient Roman celebration of the Vernal Equinox - arrival of Spring.

The entire Lent season is marked with solemnity, with prayer and fasting and to contemplate God's supreme sacrifice of His son Jesus at the cross, for our sins.

One of the greatest reformists of the Christian Church, Martin Luther (1483 - 1546), the German monk and Professor of Theology, came into being on October 31, 1517 - 493 years ago. Luther started his Protestant Reformation against the teachings and practices of the Roman Church and was mainly responsible for restoring congregational singing. Christianity was not only born in song but is indeed a singing faith. Singing plays a central place in Christian life, worship, fellowship and mission.

Luther not only wrote but composed the well-known hymn "A mighty fortress is our God which became the rallying cry of his Protestant Reformation Movement".

Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748) who has written over 600 hymns is also called the "Father of Hymnody". From an early age, Isaac had a talent to write poetry and later, was deeply concerned that the church singing was confined only to Psalms. Challenged by his father to "Write something better for us to sing", young Isaac made use of the various Books of the Bible especially the Psalms, for his hymns.

In 1707, Isaac wrote "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" the words of this hymn moved many Christians to the reality of the crucified Jesus. Well-known theologian Matthew Arnold called this "The greatest hymn in the English language"

Isaac's other popular compositions included "Jesus shall Reign" based on Psalm 72. "Joy to the World! The Lord is come" is a joyous Christmas hymn and is a paraphrase of Psalm 98. Another of Isaac's popular hymn is a paraphrase of psalm 90 - "O God our Help in Ages Past" - usually sung at the beginning of a new year.

Isaac never married but he loved children and he wrote several hymns for them.

Known for his strong Calvinistic convictions, Augustus M. Toplady (1740 - 1778) wrote several hymns, but he is best remembered for his "Rock of Ages, cleft for me"

Although as a young man, Augustus was influenced by John Wesley and was converted, he later became a severe critic of the Wesley brothers - John and Charles.

Augustus became a Minister of the Anglican church and wrote several hymns but the "Rock of Ages" is one of the few of his works, that has stood the test of time to this day, because it transcends theological barriers. It was written around 1776, about two years before he passed away.

George Bennard (1873-1958) who began his Christian ministry in the Salvation Army is well-known for his immortal "The Old Rugged Cross." It became one of the most popular songs in churches throughout the world, sung during Holy Week especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Bennard who became a Methodist minister, one day pondered about what apostle Paul wrote in Philippians about getting involved in a fellowship about Jesus' sufferings and hardships, especially at the Cross. "The Old Rugged Cross" was the result.

William Cowper (1731-1800) regarded as one of the best writers of his time, had a tumultuous life especially in his early years. His father persuaded him to study law but William was petrified to sit, the final examination. He suffered a nervous breakdown and unsuccessfully tried to commit suicide and William was ultimately incarcerated in a mental asylum for a short time. Whilst at the asylum, he read the Holy Bible regularly.

When he left the asylum, William went to a little village in Olney near Cambridge and came under the influence of John Newton, a dynamic preacher at the Anglican Church there. William and John became good friends and they pooled their talents and jointly published the "Olney Hymnal" of about 350 hymns in 1799 - a year before William passed away.

Cowper's "There is a Fountain" based on the Old Testament text of Zechariah 13:1, is a very popular hymn sung during the Lent season, especially during Holy Week.

"Were you There"? is one of the best-known Negro spirituals that is sung in churches especially during Holy Easter Week. Spirituals are regarded as American folk songs, the origins of most have been lost in time but which reflect the blending of a rich African heritage, harsh experiences as former slaves and personal interpretation of Biblical stories.

This spiritual is the story of Christ's crucifixion, suffering, death and resurrection.

The Negro spirit found its main outlet through music, using improvised instruments, emphasising their hardships, troubles, sufferings, pains, faith, hope and vision for the future, through several centuries of forced slavery.

From before her marriage to Rev. William Alexander, The Archbishop of Ireland, Cecil Frances (1823-1895) was a dedicated Sunday school teacher. She preferred to write poems and hymns to teach the Biblical truth, to children.

To explain the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, Cecil Frances Alexander wrote There is a Green Hill Far Away". This hymn became an instant success, not only among the children but among the adults as well. This hymn gained popularity as it was sung in the Dwight Moody - Ira Sankey evangelistic campaigns. She was also the author of another popular hymn "Jesus calls us o'er the tumult".

Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788) who is reputed to have written over 6,000 hymns on almost "every phase of Christian experience and touched various elements of Christian doctrine", is regarded as "The Sweet bard of Methodism".

One of the most popular Easter hymns and a "must" in all Christian churches on Easter Sunday, is "Christ the Lord is Risen Today"

This hymn was written in 1739 and was first sung at the inaugural service at a deserted iron foundry - the first Wesleyan chapel in London, which soon became known as the Foundry Meeting House.

This hymn encouraged Christians to spontaneously break into triumphal Joy in their personal lives, over the victory over death by Jesus' resurrection.

Robert Lowry (1826-1899) one of the early gospel hymn writers was a Professor of Literature at Bucknell University and was also a popular pastor. Lowry later became the music editor of Biglow Publishing Company.

Robert, one Easter gave serious thought to a passage in Luke 24 regarding the death of Jesus and His resurrection.

The result was the inspirational hymn "Christ Arose" written in 1875, which is also sung in many churches throughout Christendom, on Easter Sunday.

A Latin hymn whose author is unknown, was published in 1695 and it was translated about 160 years later, into English titled "The Strife is O'er - The battle is done".

The translation was done by an Anglican minister - Francis Pott (1832 - 1909). The music was arranged by well-known music director Dr. William H. Monk.

This hymn recording the triumphant victory over death, is also another popular song used for Easter Sunday.