Ancient Hymn Revived by Contemporary Worship Artists
An ancient hymn from the third century, discovered on Egyptian papyrus, has been brought back to life by renowned Christian artists Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding. This modern adaptation, released just in time for Easter, is part of a project called The First Hymn Project.
The song, unveiled globally last Friday, is accompanied by a documentary that provides scholarly insights, which started streaming on Monday. As reported by Baptist Press, the hymn dates back to around 250 AD. It was found a century ago amidst Egyptian ruins and is currently preserved at Oxford University.
John Dickson, a distinguished professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, identified the hymn’s significance, noting its articulation of the Trinity well before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. “It’s clear evidence that Christians were singing their Trinitarian beliefs from an early period,” Dickson stated.
Though about 20% of the hymn’s original text and melody are missing, the surviving fragments highlight profound themes. The hymn praises God as “the only giver of all good gifts,” contrasting pagan descriptions of Zeus.
Faced with the challenge of modernizing the hymn, Dickson teamed up with Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding. Tomlin, described by Time magazine as perhaps the world’s most sung artist, collaborated with Fielding, a Grammy-winning songwriter known for hits like “What A Beautiful Name.” Together, they merged Dickson’s translation of the Greek text with a modern musical reinterpretation.
Fielding explained, “We knew that for the song to work well in a contemporary church setting, we would need to reinterpret the music, in particular, the melody.”
The final recording starts with an Egyptian Coptic Christian rendition. Dickson suggested the original tune might have been a popular melody among third-century pagans, possibly even used in worship songs for gods like Zeus, making it provocative for its time. “If you’re a believer in Zeus, this is very confronting,” Dickson remarked.
For Fielding, the project offered a unique connection to early Christians’ experiences. “I had no idea that such a significant discovery lay quietly in England,” he said, reflecting on the hymn’s historical significance.
The hymn, originally about 35 words long in Greek, is translated by Dickson as: “Let all be silent, the shining stars not sound forth, all rushing rivers be stilled as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, as all powers cry out in answer, Amen, Amen, might, praise and glory forever to our God, the only giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen,” according to The News-Enterprise.
The project also includes a documentary with insights from theologians and scholars. Special screenings and concerts will take place at Biola University in La Mirada, California, and the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.
Fielding found inspiration in the hymn’s reflection of third-century Christians’ resilience and faith despite persecution, noting their commitment to praising God amid uncertainty.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
