In connection with the release of Selah's new release Greatest Hymns Vols. 1& 2, along with Reba McEntire's new release Sing it Now and Lauren Talley's The Gospel, my top 10 lists of my favorite modernized hymns was due for a part 3. I've yet again enjoyed listening and worshiping along with my favorite modernized hymns in compiling a fresh list. Also drawing from Audrey Assad's album Inheritance and Keith and Kristyn Getty's latest album Facing a Task Unfinished, this list is comprised of ten more of my favorite modern hymns, encompassing both reinvented classics and some recently written hymns for the Church.

I didn't grow up as a Christian or listening to hymns in my youth; I wasn't saved until after college in my twenties. As a result, I have an emotional connection to the truth of hymns. The truth of the words cut very close to my heart. I did live my life clinging to something other than Jesus. I did have idols in my life other than Jesus. I can sing these songs with abandon, partly because I regret that I lived any of my life without knowing these truths. These songs are all a great way to sing Scripture and worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth.

"He Will Hold Me Fast" 
by Keith & Kristyn Getty, from Facing a Task Unfinished
I am comforted by the biblical promise in the lyrics: "For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast, Justice has been satisfied, He will hold me fast, Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast, Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last."

"O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" 
by Audrey Assad feat. Fernando Ortega, from Inheritance
This beautiful rendition of this hymn of the faith is highlighted by the lyrics "O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free! Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me! Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love, leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!"

"Softly and Tenderly" 
by Reba McEntire feat. Kelly Clarkson & Trisha Yearwood, from Sing it Now
When you sing along with this great hymn of the faith, make sure you are in prayer that you are submitting yourself to God. Jesus is ever true to His Word. What He spoke on earth, He affirms in heaven. The Word is a message of grace. We can all take comfort in the truth expressed in this song: "come home, come home, ye who are weary come home. Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling 'o sinner, come home!'"

"O The Blood" 
by Selah, from Greatest Hymns Vols. 1 & 2
This modern hymn was originally written and recorded by Gateway Worship's Kari Jobe, and this version by Selah will bring you to the Throne Room of Heaven in worship: "O the blood of Jesus washes me, O the blood of Jesus shed for me. What a sacrifice that saved my life, yes, the blood it is my victory."

"Give Me Jesus" 
by Highroad, from Somewhere I'm Going
This old spiritual has also been recently recorded by Fernando Ortega and Jeremy Camp. I'm moved every time I sing the last verse: "When I come to die, when I come to die, oh, when I come to die, give me Jesus. Give me Jesus, you can have all this world, give me Jesus."

"O Church Arise" 
by Keith & Kristyn Getty from Facing a Task Unfinished
You'll want to rise and join in with the church and sing the refrain: "Arise, shine for your light has come, arise, shine for the Risen Son, lift your eyes, we are His radiant bride, arise, o church arise!"

"In Christ Alone" 
by Lauren Talley from Songs in the Night 
This song for the church from Keith Getty and Stuart Townend has my favorite closing verse of any song: "No guilt in life, no fear in death: this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home, here in the power of Christ I'll stand."

"How Deep the Father's Love for Us" 
by WorshipMob 
An Easter favorite by Stuart Townend, I am moved every time I think about being one of the scoffers in the song: "Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished."

"O How I Love Jesus" 
by Reba McEntire from Sing it Now
Reba provides a stirring and reverent rendition of this hymn of the faith: "It tells me of a Savior's love, who died to set me free, it tells me of His precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea."

"O Children Come" 
by Keith & Kristyn Getty from Facing a Task Unfinished 
The lyrics of the song encompasses the takeaway message: "Lay down all your bitterness, turn from sin's toil and distress, find His grace and perfect rest-- o children come!" Amen to that!