The Nourishing Power of Hymns

A hymn impresses and invites the Spirit
As it's an inspiring sermon to those who hear it
A hymn is filled with the Spirit of conversion
And when the Devil tempts, it strengthens for dispersion

A hymns creates a feeling of reverence
Especially when played without utterance
Before we meet and again at the end
May we be without speech to feel what descends

The Savior and His power, heals us of pain
As with the sacramental hymn our voices refrain
A hymn is a prayer of itself that we send
What better way to prepare us for amen?

We can memorize and ponder them, recite and sing
Oh the Spirit of beauty, peace, and love it will bring
Know that the song of the righteous is a prayer unto God
And is a way that blessings upon heads are then brought

Jay E. Jensen
The Nourishing Power of Hymns
Ensign, May 2007, 11

Isa. 24: 16
16 ¶ From the uttermost part of the earth
have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous.
But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me!
the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously;
yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.

D&C 25: 12
12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart;
yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me,
and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

D&C 45: 71
71 And it shall come to pass that the righteous
shall be gathered out from among all nations,
and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.

D&C 109: 39
39 And whatsoever city thy servants shall enter,
and the people of that city receive their testimony,
let thy peace and thy salvation be upon that city;
that they may gather out of that city the righteous,
that they may come forth to bZion, or to her stakes,
the places of thine appointment, with songs of everlasting joy;