Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan

I have been given an advance copy of this book by BookSneeze.com for review purposes.  I have not been paid for this review in any manner and the opinions stated in it are my own.  "Then Sings My Soul"  is the third book in this trilogy written by Robert J. Morgan and published by Thomas Nelson publishers.  This wonderful book is filled to overflowing with information regarding Christianity's most beloved hymns; as well as, background stories about the composers and sheet music for the pieces.  The milling of the book is authentic as the edges of the pages are rough cut and lend to its historical feel.  Morgan begins the introduction of "Then Sings My Soul" with an inspiring account of Blue Whales, "They sing with greater decibels than a jetliner taking off, and the sound of their voice travels up to five hundred miles through the water" (Morgan 2011, xi).  He then relates this fact to Psalm 148 which says, "Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds,stormy winds that do his bidding,  fruit trees and all cedars. . ."  Such inspiring God-breathed words have spurred the writing of many great hymns that are still being sung in our churches today, even hundreds of years, in some cases, later.

Morgan relates the story of the hymn, "Grace That Is Greater than Our Sin" copyrighted by Julia H. Johnston in 1910.  The opening line of the hymn allows a glimpse of a grand truth of God's nature, "Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and guilt. . ."  The scriptural accuracy of the lyrics of our sacred songs is critically important, as we sing and praise God these truths sink deeper into our hearts.  Johnston captures and relates God's love and Grace that is, "Greater than all our sin" (Morgan 2011, 138).  Included with the plethora of specific information regarding individual songs, Morgan writes of the importance of reading, memorizing, praying and singing hymns.  When we allow God's Word to be imbued into our consciousness through these practices it effortlessly will flow into our conversations and interactions with others.

This book, as well as, the first two of the series are a valuable addition to any Christian's bookshelf.  The amount of information included in them is extraordinary.  Giving ourselves the vocabulary to praise and worship God in spirit and in truth will certainly allow our souls to sing, and this book is a wonderful impetus to that becoming a reality.

Rev. Patricia Paige Harrison