Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024): The supreme hymnwriter of his generation
By 
Christopher Idle2024-08-15T08:02:00
Evangelical hymnwriter Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, rose to pre-eminence by the sheer quality of his writing, says fellow hymnodist, Christopher Idle. This “gospel-hearted bishop” was keen not to be outdone by more liberal writers
On any given Sunday, we are quite likely to be asked to sing one of the 400 hymns written by Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith (TDS), who died peacefully at Cambridge on Monday, aged 97. Again, the chances are that it will be ‘Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord’.
We might also be singing ‘Lord for the years your love has kept and guided’ (music by Timothy’s great friend Michael Baughen). Or an enterprising pastor or music leader might squeeze one of TDS’s Christmas hymns (he wrote a new one every Christmas for over 50 years) into our carol services. Timothy’s ‘Holy Child’ and ‘The darkness turns to dawn’ are surely worthy to stand alongside the Victorian classics – though King’s College Cambridge may take another hundred years to discover them.
Related articles
-
OpinionThe virus of antisemitism was all over Glastonbury. Where is the Church?
A festival that claims to champion peace and progressivism became a stage for antisemitic chants, says David Hoffbrand, and too many Christians are looking the other way
-
OpinionCory Asbury is right. Our worship needs heart surgery
Worship artists make ungodly compromises in order to be successful in Christian music. That’s according to Cory Asbury, the writer of ‘Reckless Love’ who recently criticised artists for acting in ways which are “antithetical to the way of Jesus”. Scottish songwriter Andrew Mitchell, who himself stepped away from the Christian music industry in the US explains why he agrees with Asbury’s comments
-
Real Life‘Healing from trauma has been a long journey. Now I’ve written a book to help others’
Tracey-Jane Campbell was a successful music artist. But behind closed doors, she was struggling to come to terms with childhood trauma and abuse. Now, she wants to help others
More from Obituaries
-
OpinionJimmy Swaggart (1935-2025): The complex case of the TV evangelist who fell from grace
US evangelist, Jimmy Swaggert, has died aged 90. He leaves behind a complex legacy, that includes scandal as well as service to the gospel. Sin should not be excused, says Billy Hallowell, but grace can be extended in remembrance too
-
OpinionYou’ll never walk alone: a player’s tribute to Diogo Jota and André Silva
Professional footballer and founder of Ballers in God, John Bostock, pays tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who tragically died in a motorcar accident in Spain
-
OpinionWalter Brueggemann (1933-2025): A theological giant of the 20th century
Walter Brueggemann was one of the most influential theologians of his generation. Through his prolific writing and prophetic insight, this American scholar invited the Church to see scripture with fresh eyes, says Lee Camp
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2025 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud