You don’t need to be religious to enjoy the words of these inspirational hymns, they are just poems put to music!

Inspirational hymns are listed alphabetically on authors surname

Hymns are usually remembered by the first line, so here is a list with the author to help find the one you may be looking for.

All Creatures Of Our God And King – St Francis of Assisi
All People That On Earth Do Dwell – William Kethe
Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound – John Newton
Be Thou My Vision, O Lord Of My Heart – Irish (Ancient)
Breathe On Me, Breath Of God – Edwin Hatch
Come, Holy Spirit, Come – Joseph Hart
For The Beauty Of The Earth – Folliott Sandford Pierpoint
For The Fruits Of His Creation – Fred Pratt Green
God Moves In A Mysterious Way – William Cowper
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty – Reginald Heber
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise – W. Chalmers Smith
Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us – James Edmeston
Morning Has Broken – Eleanor Farjeon
Now Thank We All Our God – Martin Rinkart
O Lord My God, When I In Awesome Wonder – Carl Boberg
O Lord Of Heaven And Earth And Sea – Christopher Wordsworth
Open My Eyes That I May See – Clara H. Scott
Our Father Hears Us When We Pray – John Burton
Praise And Thanksgiving – Albert Frederick Bayly
Praise Him, Praise Him, All His Children Praise Him! – Percy Dearmer
Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven – Henry Francis Lyte
Spirit Of The Living God – Daniel Iverson
Take My Life, And let It Be – Frances Ridley Havergal
We Plough The Fields And Scatter – Matthias Claudius
What If The Little Rain Should Say – William Cutter

A Inspirational Hymns

All Creatures Of Our God And King

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along
O praise Him, Hallelujah
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening, find a voice
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Thou flowing water, pure and clear
Make music for thy Lord to hear
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Thou fire so masterful and bright
That givest man both warmth and light
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfolds blessings on our way
O praise Him, Hallelujah
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow
Let them His glory also show
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

And ye that are of tender heart
Forgiving others, take your part
O sing ye, Hallelujah
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on Him cast your care
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

And thou, most kind and gentle death
Waiting to hush our latest breath
O praise Him, Hallelujah
Thou leadest home the child of God
And Christ our Lord the way has trod
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him, Hallelujah
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three in One
O praise Him, O praise Him
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

St Francis of Assisi 1162-1226
Translation William Henry Draper 1855-1933

B Inspirational Hymns

Praise and Thanksgiving,
Father, we offer,
For all things living
You have made good;
Harvest of sown fields,
Fruits of the orchard,
Hay from the mown fields,
Blossom and wood.

Lord, bless the labour
We bring to serve you,
That with our neighbour
We may be fed.
Sowing or tilling,
We would work with you;
Harvesting, milling,
For daily bread.

Father, providing
Food for your children,
Your wisdom guiding
Teaches us share
One with another,
So that, rejoicing
With us, our brother
May know we care.

Then will your blessing
Reach every people;
Each one confessing
Your gracious hand.
When you are reigning
No one will hunger:
Your love sustaining
Fruitful the land.

Albert Frederick Bayly 1901 – 1984

How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the world Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my Soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my Soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou are, how great Thou art

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, My God, how great Thou art

Carl Boberg 1859 – 1940
Wrote the poem the hymn was derived from

Our Father hears us when we pray;
A whisper He can hear;
He knows not only what we say,
But what we wish or fear.

‘Tis not enough to bend the knee,
And words of prayer to say;
The heart must with the lips agree,
Or else we do not pray.

Teach us, O Lord, to pray aright;
Thy grace to us impart,
That we in prayer may take delight,
And serve Thee with the heart.

John Burton 1803 -1877

C Inspirational Hymns

We plough the fields and scatter
The good seed on the land
But it is fed and watered
By God’s almighty hand
He sends the snow in winter
The warmth to swell the grain
The breezes and the sunshine
And soft refreshing rain

All good gifts around us
Are sent from Heaven above
Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord
For all His love

He only is the maker
Of all things near and far
He paints the wayside flower
He lights the evening star
The winds and waves obey Him
By Him the birds are fed
Much more to us, His children
He gives our daily bread

We thank thee then, O Father
For all things bright and good
The seed-time and the harvest
Our life, our health, our food
Accept the gifts we offer
For all thy love imparts
And, what thou most desirest
Our humble, thankful hearts

Matthias Claudius 1740 – 1815

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up his bright designs
And works His sovereign will

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense
But trust Him for His grace
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face

His purpose will ripen fast
Unfolding every hour
The bud may have a bitter taste
But sweet will be the flower

Blind belief is sure to err
And scan his work in vain
God is His own interpreter
And He will make it plain

William Cowper 1731 – 1800

What if the little rain should say
‘So small a drop as I
Can ne’er refresh the thirsty field
I’ll tarry in the sky.’

What if each shining beam of noon
Should in its fountain stay
Because its feeble light alone
Could not create a day

Doth not each rain-drop help to form
The cool refreshing showers?
And every ray of light to warm
And beautify the flowers?

And thus the good each child may do
Is help to all the rest
Then let us active be and true
And do our little best

William Cutter 1801 – 1867

D Inspirational Hymns

Praise Him, praise Him, all His children praise Him!
He is love, He is love.
Praise Him, praise Him, all His children praise Him!
He is love, He is love.

Thank Him, Thank Him, all His children thank Him!
He is love, He is love.
Thank Him, Thank Him, all His children thank Him!
He is love, He is love.

Love Him, love Him, all His children love Him!
He is love, He is love.
Love Him, love Him, all His children love Him!
He is love, He is love.

Percy Dearmer 1867 – 1936

E Inspirational Hymns

Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us
O’er the world’s tempestuous sea
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us
For we have no help but thee
Yet possessing every blessing
If our God our Father be

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us
All our weakness thou dost know
Thou didst treat this earth before us
Thou didst feel its keenest woe
Tempted, taunted, yet undaunted
Through the desert thou didst go

Spirit of our God, descending
Fill our hearts with Heavenly joy
Love with every passion blending
Pleasure that can never cloy
Thus provided, pardoned, guided
Nothing can our peace destroy

James Edmeston 1791 – 1867

F Inspirational Hymns

Morning has broken
Like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken
Like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them, springing
Fresh from the word

Sweet the rain’s new fall
Sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall
On the first grass
Praise for the sweetness
Of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness
Where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight
Mine is the morning
Born of the one light
Eden saw play
Praise with elation
Praise every morning
God’s re-creation
Of the new day

Eleanor Farjeon 1881 – 1965

G Inspirational Hymns

For the fruits of His creation,
Thanks be to God;
For His gifts to every nation,
Thanks be to God;
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safe-keeping,
Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour,
God’s will is done;
In the help we give our neighbour,
God’s will is done;
In our world-wide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.

For the harvests of His Spirit,
Thanks be to God;
For the good we all inherit,
Thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.

Fred Pratt Green 1903 – 2000

H Inspirational Hymns

Come, Holy Spirit, come;
Let Thy bright beams arise,
Dispel the darkness from our minds
And open all our eyes.

Revive our drooping faith,
Our doubts and fears remove,
And kindle in our hearts the flame
Of never-dying love.

‘Tis Thine to cleanse the heart,
To sanctify the Soul,
To pour fresh life in every part,
And new create the whole.

Dwell therefore in our hearts,
Our minds from bondage free;
Then shall we know and praise and love
The Father, Son, and Thee.

Joseph Hart 1712 – 1768

Breathe on me, Breath of God
Fill me with life anew
That I may love what thou dost love
And do what thou wouldst do

Breathe on me, Breathe of God
Until my heart is pure
Until with thee I will one will
To do and to endure

Breathe on me, Breath of God
Till I am wholly thine
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with thy fire divine

Breathe on me, Breath of God
So shall I never die
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity

Edwin Hatch 1835 – 1889

Affirming The Classics
I Breathe The Breath Of God by Trina Graves

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of thy love
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from thee

Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as thou shalt choose

Take my will, and make it thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is thine own
It shall be thy royal throne

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At thy feet its treasure-store
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee

Frances Ridley Havergal 1836 – 1879

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and Seraphim falling down before thee
Who wert, and art, and evermore shall be

Holy, holy, holy, though the darkness hide thee
Through the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
Perfect in power, in love, and purity

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity

Reginald Heber 1783 – 1826

I Inspirational Hymns

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all

Irish (Ancient)
English Methodist version (1964)

Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me
Break me, melt me
Mould me, fill me
Spirit of the living God
Fall afresh on me

Spirit of the living God
Move among us all
Make us one in heart and mind
Make us one in love
Humble, caring, self-less, sharing
Spirit of the living God
Fill our lives with love

Daniel Iverson 1890 – 1977

K Inspirational Hymns

All people that on earth do dwell
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice
Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell
Come ye before Him and rejoice

Know that the Lord is God indeed
Without our aid He did us make
We are His folk, He doth us feed
And for His sheep He doth us take

O enter then His gates with praise
Approach with joy His courts unto
Praise, laud and bless His name always
For it is seemly so to do

For why? The Lord our God is good
His mercy is for ever sure
His truth at all times firmly stood
And shall from age to age endure

William Kethe – 1594

L Inspirational Hymns

Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven
To His feet they tribute bring
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven
Who like thee His praise should sing
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King

Praise Him for His grace and favour
To our fathers in distress
Praise Him, still the same for ever
Slow to chide, and swift to bless
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness

Father-like He tends and spares us
Well our feeble frame He knows
In His hands He gently bears us
Rescues us from all our foes
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows

Angels in the height, adore Him
Ye behold Him face to face
Sun and moon, bow down before Him
Dwellers all in time and space
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace

Henry Francis Lyte 1793 – 1847

N Inspirational Hymns

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace those fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease
I shall possess, within the veil
A life of joy and peace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine

John Newton 1775 – 1807

Other verse added later

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun

Unknown Source

Affirming The Classics
Amazing Grace: Awakened Senses by Trina Graves

P Inspirational Hymnss

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Gracious God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light
Gracious God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise

For the joy of ear and eye
For the heart and mind’s delight
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight
Gracious God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise

For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth, and friends above
Pleasures pure and undefiled
Gracious God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise

For each perfect gift of thine
To our race so freely given
Graces human and divine
Flowers of each and buds of heaven
Gracious God, to thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise

Folliott Sandford Pierpoint 1835 – 1917

Another Version

For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth, and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all , to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the church that everymore
Lifteth holy hands above
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

For thyself, best gift divine
To our race so freely given
For that great, great love of thine
Peace on earth and joy in heaven
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise

Unknown Source

R Inspirational Hymns

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices
Who wondrous things hath done
In Whom His world rejoices
Who from our mother’s arms
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love
And still is ours today

O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us
With ever joyful hearts
And blessed peace to cheer us
And keep us in His grace
And guide us when perplexed
And free us from all ills
In this world and the next

All praise and thanks to God
The Father now be given
The Son, and Him Who reigns
With Them in highest heaven
The One eternal God
Whom earth and heaven adore
For thus it was, is now
And shall be evermore

Martin Rinkart 1586-1649
Translated Catherine Winkworth 1829-1878

S Inspirational Hymns

Open my eyes that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set my free

Silently now I wait for Thee
Ready, my God, Thy will to see
Open my eyes, illumine me
Spirit Divine

Open my ears that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear
And while the wave-notes fall on my ear
Everything false will disappear

Open my mouth and let me bear
Tidings of mercy everywhere
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share

Open my mind, that I may read
More of Thy love in word and deed
What shall I fear while yet Thou doest lead?
Only for light from Thee I plead

Clara H. Scott 1841 – 1897

Affirming The Classics
My Eyes Are Open by Trina Graves

Immortal, invisible, God only wise
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light
Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might
They justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love

To all life thou givest, to both great and small
In all life thou livest, the true life of all
We blossom and fourish as leaves on the tree
And wither and perish; but naught changeth thee

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light
Thine Angels adore thee, all veiling their sight
All laud we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee

Immortal, invisible, God only wise
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise

W. Chalmers Smith 1824 – 1908

Affirming The Classics
Immortal And Visible by Trina Graves

W Inspirational Hymns

O Lord of Heaven and earth and sea,
To Thee all praise and glory be;
How shall we show our love to Thee,
Who givest all?

The golden sunshine, vernal air,
Sweet flowers and fruits Thy love declare;
Where harvests ripen, Thou art there,
Who givest all.

For peaceful homes and healthful days,
For all the blessings earth displays,
We owe Thee thankfulness and praise,
Who givest all.

Thou didst not spare Thine only Son,
But gav’st him for a world undone,
And freely with that blessed One
Thou givest all.

Thou giv’st the Spirit’s blessed dower,
Spirit of life, and love, and power,
And dost His sevenfold graces shower
Upon us all.

For Souls redeemed, for sins forgiven,
For means of grace and hopes of Heaven,
Father, all praise to Thee be given,
Who givest all.

Christopher Wordsworth 1807 1885

Christmas Hymns
Affirming The Classics
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