“O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.” Psalm 51:15
A hymn should contain sound truth, poetic form and structure, and a touch too of divine inspiration. In this psalm, which tells of David’s repentance, the truth is right and the psalm is poetically constructed. Moreover, in reading it we are aware of the depth of David’s repentance, for it touches spiritual reality. Hence it draws forth a response from our spirits.
One basic requirement for any creative work for God is that it must command such a response in us. It must bring us into touch with divine reality. A hymn on consecration should excite in us a desire to consecrate ourselves to God. A hymn of worship should stir the heart to adoration. A hymn of thanksgiving should give words to our gratitude. David lived a real life. When he was happy, he leaped for joy. When he was sad, he wept. And when he was forgiven, his lips were opened to show forth the praise of God.
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