Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926)
"There are three reasons for spending time with this book. First, as with any hymnal or good collection of hymns, it makes excellent devotional material, especially when reading the text is combined with reading the biblical passage that inspired it. Dudley-Smith's turns of phrase can open up a passage, a doctrine, an experience of the spirit for reflection and greater understanding . . . Second, many of us are better arrangers than composers of music for our choirs. For those, he names many less familiar tunes that can serve as raw materials. And third, those who are gifted as hymn writers can find here many clues to the methods of this master of the craft." - Roger G. Miller, The Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts, USA
"And how good it is that a convinced Evangelical is still writing real hymns! Not for him the false (or forced) rhymes, crammed syllables and tired phrases of so many worship songs. Dudley-Smith's lyrics still retain the poetic virtues of shape, structure, and scansion . . . And you know you are in the hands of a skilled practitioner when you can take his words on your lips without embarrassment. Timothy Dudley-Smith instinctively understands this. His hymns deserve to last, and many surely will . . . He is a gift to the church." - Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham, Praxis News of Worship Summer 07
