Hymn singing is vital to both the beliefs and emotion of worship in all religions, especially Protestant Christianity.

With the rising popularity of contemporary worship, traditional hymnody is in danger of being lost to Christian memory. This book reflects the intellectual excellence, the religious devotion, and the widespread influence of over two hundred hymns.

Many have very poignant life situations which prompted the writing of hymns or poems that musicians composed to enhance the singability or the majesty of the lyrics. Haynes has done careful research into the life and specific occasions when inspiration led to the gift of a hymn to posterity.

These vignettes are meaningful for private devotional use and in worship bulletins to make hymn singing more meaningful.