Psalms, Hymns, Spiritural Songs: Hymn Study

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

One way I can let the word of Christ dwell richly in my life and teach my little ones is by "singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." Oh how I want to teach and admonish my little ones in His wisdom and not my own so I include teaching the great hymns of the faith to my babies and "yearlings". Now you know I can't sing or play the piano but I do it anyway. And you know what, they love it. I peck out the melody on the piano and I try to find a good version on CD to play throughout the month so they can appreciate the music. They try to play the song too. The language is so beautiful that I incorporate the words in their copywork and at the end of the month I challenge them to recite the words of the hymns as one would recite poetry--an excellent mental exercise. For my littlest just beginning to learn to read I can use the hymn as a reading lesson. It is my goal to teach one hymn a month along with the life and story behind the hymn (for this I am using the book Then Sings my Soul or Net Hymnal). We do this in natural way integrated in our daily activities, usually while preparing meals, cleaning up the kitchen or while folding laundry. After we learn the hymns they can become a part of family worship and are an excellent spring board to discuss theology and what we believe.

Here is my 2011 list:

Doxology
For the Beauty of the Earth
Nothing but the Blood
It is Well with my Soul
Immortal, Invisible, God only wise
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
When I survey the Wondersous Cross
Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus
A Might Fortress is Our God
All Hail the Power of Jesus name
Fairest Lord Jesus
Holy, Holy, Holy

For more info: How should music be included in family worship?

Leading Family Worship

Net Hymnal