Sing with Understanding

Introduction to Theology in Christian Congregational Song

C. Michael Hawn

• Publisher: GIA Publications
• Year: 2026
• eBook ISBN:
  9798896300250
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Music

A well-known and respected authority on hymnody for more than forty years, Sing with Understanding is now available in its updated third edition. This edition builds on its predecessors' scholarship, and enhances it with recent developments. New to this edition is a focus on the theology of hymn texts and their music as they form Christians in prayer. More than 150 congregational songs from the treasures of Western hymnody, recent Contemporary Christian repertoire, and the global church are analyzed in depth. Also new is a companion website featuring bibliographic resources for additional research, articles referenced in the print version, as well as a glossary of musical/theological terms and indexes. This truly makes this a " book with no back cover." Distinguished hymnologist C. Michael Hawn headed a team of contributors including Beverly A. Howard, Martin V. Clarke, and theologian Geoffrey C. Moore. They bring their expertise and perspectives to the ongoing and emerging work in hymnology and its related fields. Particularly for students studying hymnology, clergy or worship teams selecting music, and people in the pews who want to know more about the prayer they sing.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword (1980 and 1995 Editions) by Carlton R. Young
• Foreword by Mary Louise Bringle
• Preface by Brian Hehn
• Abbreviations, References, Sources
• Introduction
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Chapter 1 - Christian Hymn: A Proposed Definition by C. Michael Hawn, Martin V. Clarke, and Beverly A. Howard
• Chapter 2 - How does a hymn mean? by Martin V. Clarke and Beverly A. Howard
• Chapter 3 - A Brief History of Congregational Song: Shaping Theology Through Hymn Compilations by Martin V. Clarke
• Chapter 4 - “All Things Bright and Beautiful” Singing Creation by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 5 - “Sing to the Lord a New Song” Singing the Psalms by Beverly A. Howard
• Chapter 6 - “Go Tell It on the Mountain” Singing the Incarnation by Beverly A. Howard with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 7 - “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” Singing Christ’s Suffering by Beverly A. Howard with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 8 - “Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today” Singing the Resurrection C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 9 - “Come Down, O Love Divine” Singing the Holy Spirit by Martin V. Clarke with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 10 - “God in Three Persons, Blessed Trinity” Singing the Trinity by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 11 - “O Day of Peace That Dimly Shines” Singing a New Heaven and a New Earth by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 12 - “The Church of Christ in Every Age” Singing the Mission of the Church by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 13 - “Take Me to the Water to be Baptized” Singing Baptism by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 14 - “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” Singing the Eucharist by C. Michael Hawn with Theological Introduction by Geoffrey C. Moore
• Chapter 15 - The Music of Congregational Song by Beverly A. Howard
• Chapter 16 - An Introduction to the Study of Congregational Song: A Historical Overview with Resources for Further Research by Martin V. Clarke and C. Michael Hawn
• Contributors
• Glossary
• Additional Online Resources