Acclaimed Scottish pastor and academic Dr. Walter Smith used to write hymns as a hobby. How blessed we are to have his powerful 1867 hymn based on 1 Timothy 1:17, a song which has touched many lives with its bold proclamation of God's glory and light.

“There's wonderful pow'r in the blood!” A rousing hymn written by a classmate of the famous evangelist Billy Sunday. A camp meeting inspired the song, and Christians everywhere have loved it simple explanation of the effectiveness of the shed blood of Christ.

When asked "why should I worship a dead Jew?", a Presbyterian minister penned a sermon and a song to go along with it. The song turned into a Resurrection classic! Hear the story and take a close look at the words of his hymn in today's episode.

Is there a better hymn about the cross on which Jesus died? Isaac Watts wrote these incredible words, and today I'll sing the two most common tunes associated with the hymn. As you 'survey' the wondrous cross today, may you give your life, your all to the one who died there.

The one and only St Francis of Assisi wrote this wonderful song of praise - and an English clergyman translated it into the beautiful English words we sing today. What a powerful hymn of worship, calling the whole earth to sing, and to forgive others in Christ.

This lovely hymn was either written by a young Canadian man on his conversion, or an Englishman a few years later. It is a beautiful devotional song that has given expression to the faith of countless people since it was published.

A touching song written by a blind man in a time of sadness. His words show his wonderful faith in looking to Jesus as the source of love, light, joy - and crosses to bear.

This is the first "modern classic" in this series! I always thought this song was from back in 1800s, but then I learned that it was in the early 2000s that Keith Getty and Stuart Townend wrote it. This is surely one of the most in depth and thoughtful songs about the supremacy of Christ.

Anthony Johnson Showalter is a legend in the gospel music world! When two old students of his both lost a spouse, Showalter reminded them of a Scripture that could give them help and hope. This led him to start writing a song, which his friend Elisha Hoffman finished off. This simple song of faith has meant a lot to many Christians over the years! Perhaps it will become one of your favourites too.

One of the great hymns of God's love was written by Charles Gabriel, musician and songwriter alongside the great evangelist Billy Sunday. These words about "Jesus the Nazarene" and his wonderful, marvelous love have captured millions.

When Rufus McDaniel's son died, he wrote a song that spoke about the hope he had in Jesus. Sending it off to a popular evangelistic songwriter of the day, his song became an instant classic and one of the most joyful gospel songs of all!

A powerful hymn of praise, written as a paraphrase of Psalm 103 by the same man who wrote Abide With Me. What a great hymn!

A great carol written in 1849 by Rev. Edmund Sears of Massachusetts, which looks back at the first Christmas, explains how Christmas is relevant today, and looks forward to re-singing the angels' song in the new heavens and new earth.

Charles Wesley wrote "Hark How All the Welkin Rings", but that line and some other lyrics were changed over the years. Still, this is surely one of the most in depth and powerful Christmas carols ever written!

One of the great Christmas songs, written by a minister after he spent a Christmas in Bethlehem and observed it's still, silent beauty.

A classic hymn written by a Unitarian hymnwriter, based on Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28. It's controversial because it doesn't mention Jesus, but it is still a wonderful song of God's closeness through life's ups and downs.

The great Doxology which so many of us have sung was composed by Thomas Kent as the closing verse to three different hymns, written for schoolboys to develop a rich devotional life. How this song has spread and touched lives!!

The great Fanny Crosby wrote "Pass Me Not" when hearing the cry of an inmate during prison ministry. Her words have come to mean a lot to many people, reminding us that when we call out in humble trust, our Lord never passes us by!

A classic Charles Wesley hymn which he wrote on the occasion of his conversion. Methodists and other Christians have long found this to be a moving and powerful hymn to sing, because we can all relate to Wesley's awe in the amazing love of Christ who died for us sinners.

Today I want to honour my friend who inspired my Friday Classic Hymns series, which has made my YouTube channel grow about 200%. Thanks Bruce!