Church Takes the ‘Him’ Out of Its Hymnals

Here are some of the lyrics in the new hymnbook adopted this week by the United Methodist Governing Conference, compared to the 1966 hymnal. The publisher is Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tenn.

“God of the Ages” (“God of Our Fathers”):

New: God of the ages, whose almighty hand, leads forth in beauty all the starry band. . . .

1966: God of our fathers, whose almighty hand, lead s forth in beauty all the starry band. . . .

“Good Christian Friends (Men) Rejoice”:

New: Good Christian friends, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; give ye heed to what we say: News, news! Jesus Christ is born today.

1966: Good Christian men, Rejoice and sing! Now is the triumph of our King, To all the World glad news we bring.

“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”:

New: Christ the Lord is risen today, Al-le-lu-ia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Al-le-lu-ia!

1966: Christ the Lord is risen today, Al-le-lu-ia! Sons of men and angels say, Al-le-lu-ia!

“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”:

New, sixth verse: In Christ, your head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven; anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.

1966, sixth verse: Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come; and leap, ye lame for joy.