thoughts on hymns

I told a blog friend that I would post something about hymns this weekend. I've been listening to them in prep for church tomorrow since we sing mostly hymns there.
There are several ancient hymns put to contemporary music. I love them. Here are some of my fave:
Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King - Gateway Worship - I heard this first back in August I think at the summit. What a great blend.
Come Thou Fount - Irish style. Jill Robshaw McCloghry did this on the Anastasia "Go" cd - see worship in the Anastasia link on the right.
It Is Well - Passion Live 05 CD - by Shanes. This is an amazing live version of an incredible song. I love the speaking through it, the harmonies, the simpleness. I could listen to it a long time and never get sick of it.
Fairest Lord Jesus - Christy Nockels on Passion's Hymns CD and Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - also by Christy on the same CD, both of which I would love to have sung in my wedding. I heard Christy sing in Jill's wedding - a cappella Holy Holy Holy - man, what a voice.
Be Thou My Vision, How Great Thou Art are also some of my faves.
When I was growing up, I played the piano some in my small church where we always sang hymns. I loved playing The Old Rugged Cross, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, When We All Get To Heaven, Holy Holy Holy.

Most of the hymns we sing today have sound theology. But, we always sing the same ones. Where are the lesser known ones that also have sound theology. You can look at most modern hymns CDs and probably 6 of them are the same ones.
Cyber Hymnal is another good way to get to know some of the old hymns we never sing anymore.
Don't be scared of singing them. If you need to, put them to drums and a guitar and not an organ and a piano. But, look carefully at them - make sure they are sound in their theology. Don't just sing hymns to sing hymns. Be direct and focused in your personal worship and corporate worship. Think about what you are singing. Hopefully there is a lot of truth in what is written on the staffs...
And don't sing them like most of the authors who wrote them - dead. Sing them in spirit and in truth. You can raise your hands and have a smile on your face when singing hymns (even if you playing them on an organ).