Michael R. Hicks takes you on a personal, spiritual journey through twelve heartfelt instrumental arrangements of hymns. His love for the hymns rings true through his musical interpretations of these special melodies, ranging from tender solo piano performances to fully orchestrated arrangements. Enjoy Hymn Creations!
1. Come Ye Children Of The Lord
I love the excitement of this hymn’s message and the grandeur of its anthem melody. In my mind’s eye, I see thousands upon thousands gathering from every corner of the earth to rejoice in the great blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. How Gentle God’s Commands
The night before hiking Mt. Sinai with a study abroad group, our instructor took us to the base of the mountain where we could see a sky filled with stars. God’s majestic, yet gentle ways allow me to choose to follow Him, just as the universe follows His commands.
3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Whenever I hear this song, I think of waterfalls. Namely, Hanakapi'ai Falls in Kauai. Watching the water flowing freely over the tropical cliff and cascading down the mountain into a cool pool is a perfect symbol when considering the goodness and love of God, the “Fount of every blessing.”
…streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
4. Green Hill
I’ve been to what many consider to be Golgatha, or “place of the skull”. It’s actually not very green at all. But if the color green, which symbolizes life, is a reference to the gift Jesus gave us on the cross and in the tomb, I feel it’s fitting imagery.
Oh dearly, dearly has he loved
and we must love him too.
5. Amazing Grace
A celebration for the gift the Lord has given a “wretch like me”. Words cannot express how grateful I am for such mercy, love and grace.
6. Dearest Children God Is Near You
This arrangement is dedicated to those moments with our children who, despite the crayons on the wall and the spills on the floor, teach us more about ourselves and the child inside each of us.
7. Jesus The Very Thought of Thee
While studying in the Holy Land, I spent 10 days on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. What a beautiful setting to let the “sweetness” of my thoughts of Jesus fill my soul. There are few times in my life I have ever felt more peace.
8. We Thank Thee
This arrangement is a tribute to those who have sacrificed so much for the Lord and his kingdom, and who have passed the baton on to you and me.
9. Come Follow Me
I think of my grandparents, who are in the twilight of their lives, reflecting on the joys they have experienced by heeding this “simple phrase”. What a great legacy they have left for their posterity.
10. Rejoice The Lord Is King
I remember standing and singing this hymn at church as a kid and falling in love with the melody, message, and feeling inside my heart as our organist masterfully played her accompaniment. She knew how to push that organ to its maximum capacity.
11. I Need Thee Every Hour
At the birth of my first child, this hymn was in my wife’s thoughts. As I have often thought back to that special experience of welcoming our new daughter into the world, I imagine this arrangement as the soundtrack for that sacred moment.
12. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
This is my favorite hymn. This arrangement is a solo piano version of a vocal arrangement I did several years back. It is my testimony of the Lord without uttering a word.
He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend,
He lives, and loves me to the end.
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