Ten Best Hymns
Ten Worst Hymns

by First Things

This information comes from the First Things website, March 2015.

The editors and staff of First Things magazine, sitting around the office one afternoon, put together a list of the Ten Best and Ten Worst Hymns that appear in Catholic parishes. We present their list, with (almost) no further editorial comment.

Ten Best Hymns

1. My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
     [Resignation]
2. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today
     [[Lyra Davidica -or- Easter Hymn]
3. O God, beyond All Praising
     [Thaxted]
4. The King of Love My Shepherd Is
     [Saint Columba]
5. O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
     [Passion Chorale]
6. Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
     [Lasst uns erfreuen]
7. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
     [Hyfrydol]
8. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
     [Rockingham]
9. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
     [Saint Denio]
10. Holy, Holy, Holy
      [Nicæa]

Ten Worst Hymns

1. Sons of God, Hear His Holy Word
   – James Thiem
2. Gather Us In
   – Marty Haugen
3. City of God
   – Dan Schutte
4. Here I Am, Lord
   – Dan Schutte
5. We Remember
   – Marty Haugen
6. Sing a New Song
   – Dan Schutte
7. Pan de Vida
   – Bob Hurd and Pia Moriarty
8. On Eagle's Wings
   – Michael Joncas
9. I Am the Bread of Life
   – Suzanne Toolan
10. Pescador de Hombres
    – Cesáreo Gabaráin

It's interesting to note that among the hymn suggestions on our Liturgical Planning Pages we have recommended all of the first list and none of the second list.

Article assembled 16 June 2015