Scottish hymnody

The hymns written and sung by Scottish Christians have been generally more rugged, strenuous and theologically nuanced than those of their co-religionists south of the Border, reflecting the harsher nature of their physical landscape, the greater seriousness and intensity of their faith, and the intellectual calibre of their ministry. Scottish hymn writers may not have had the smooth elegance or artistic accomplishment of their English counterparts — JJ ended its entry on them with the foolishly dismissive reflection that ‘Scotland has produced a long series of minor poets’ (IX. Appendix, p. 1032) — but they have made up for this in evangelical fervour and theological depth. In addition,...