“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” – Psalm 28:7
Frances “Fanny” J. Crosby was one of the most powerful hymn writers in the history of the church. It is hard to find a hymnal anywhere that does not contain at least one of her hymns. She is said to have written over 8,000 hymns and 1,000 poems in her life. She had a gift with words that allowed her to share her faith through beautiful and powerful lyrics. Her music moves the soul and lifts a person’s thoughts to heaven.
Fanny Crosby was known as the Queen of Gospel Song Writers. She wrote so many songs that publishers often would reject her songs because they thought they had too many of her hymns in their collections. She often had to use a pseudonym so that she could continue publishing her beautiful words. Amongst her many songs were, Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior, Rescue the Perishing, All the Way My Savior Leads Me, and Blessed Assurance. Her contributions to the world of music still influence worship in churches some 100 years after her death.
Crosby had an exceptional gift. Her ability to write powerful words and music has helped congregations sing praise to God in truly mighty ways. Beyond her gift for writing is the fact that she overcame a significant obstacle in her life. As a baby, Fanny developed an infection in her eye. A local doctor tried an ill-advised remedy on her eyes. This treatment caused Fanny Crosby to lose her eyesight.
Fanny Crosby, The Queen of Gospel Song Writers, was blind from the time she was six weeks old. When asked if she would like to see again, Crosby quickly answered, “No.” She had come to believe that her blindness was a gift that gave her the ability to focus on God and not the many distractions around her. She later would say how happy she was that “When I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior.”
Although Fanny Crosby did not have eyes to see, she had a heart and a mind that could visualize God. Her gift has given words to the thoughts, prayers and hopes of congregations as they sing.
I hope you will take some time to read the words of Fanny Crosby’s hymns. Her faith is evident in her words. Her love of God leaps off the pages. Her gratitude for who God is and what God has done for us is evident in her lyrics. Although she could not see the paper and ink that conveyed her words, her commitment to using her gifts helped the world to sing gratitude for a God who loves his world so dearly.
Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done, and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; but purer, and higher and greater will be our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath done!
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
