While there have been a number of books concerned with the hymns of the Christian church, there are not many that combine real originality with intellectual integrity. Yet it is exactly this combination that makes Christian Hymns Observed, Erik Routley's final statement on Christian hymnody, such a valuable addition to the literature. Simply because he studied the subject for fifty years, he could open the book with the statement "hymns are delightful and dangerous things," and then close it with these words: "But where a hymn in a service of worship beckons to the worshiper at his or her best and causes that worshiper to feel or say, 'That is what I wanted to say, but I am grateful to whoever put the words in my mouth,' then it has done its work." Erik Routley has indeed done his work. This short book will be cherished for years to come by those who want a fresh and yet comprehensive approach to the subject of Christian hymnody. - Foreword.