One of Charles Wesley’s most loved hymns is “O for a Thousand Tongues.” He wrote this hymn in 1739 on the one-year anniversary of his conversion to Christ. In the opening line, Wesley wished for a thousand tongues with which to sing praises to Christ.

Wesley’s hymns did much to revolutionize and energize congregational singing in churches of his era, a transition that has continued through today. One wonders if Wesley was inspired by the “congregational” singing found in the heavenly visions of the book of Revelation. Groups of living creatures, elders, and angels lift their voices to sing praises to God in heaven (Revelation 4–5).

Make sure to add your voice to the voices of others—whether ten voices or a thousand—on a regular basis as you lift up praises to God in worship.

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of His grace!
Charles Wesley