Author Description
Songs of Praise was first published in 1925, and is still an immensely popular hymnbook, particularly in schools. The compilation falls into two parts: Book 1 contains hymns grouped by subject and theme, together with a selection of verses, canticles and doxologies; Book 2 contains general hymns listed alphabetically by first line.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume serves as a comprehensive liturgical resource designed to organize and standardize the selection of hymns for communal worship and educational settings. The editors, Percy Dearmer and Ralph Vaughan Williams, utilized their expertise in ecclesiastical music and theology to curate a collection that balances thematic relevance with historical breadth. The text functions as a structured reference tool, categorizing sacred verse to facilitate ease of use for clergy, educators, and congregations.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A thematic classification of hymns for liturgical and educational use
- A secondary alphabetical index of hymns by first line
- A collection of canticles, doxologies, and supplemental verses
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide musical notation or scores in this specific edition
- The volume does not offer historical commentary or critical analysis of the compositions
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this collection as a foundational resource in the history of twentieth-century hymnody. Readers frequently note the practical utility of the dual-indexing system for organizing worship services.
Page Count:
224
Publication Date:
1963-03-26
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192312014
ISBN-13:
9780192312013
Musicology
Religious Music
Christian Liturgy
Reference
Hymnal