The Choice of Words

OK, so why do we insist on changing the words to old hymns?  I mean, what is the point of changing some of the words in our classic songs?  Is it because we’re more intelligent or poetic than the author?  Because we know the intent of the use of our word versus the word choice of the one who wrote the song?

One Sunday the choice for the opening hymn in church was “Holy, Holy, Holy” by Reginald Heber (1783-1826).  According to Wikipedia, “Reginald Heber was an English clergyman, traveler, man of letters and hymn-writer who, after working as a country parson for 16 years, served as the Anglican Bishop of Calcutta until his sudden death at the age of 42.” He was also an admirer of John Newton and William Cowper and wrote 57 hymns himself.  He was, one would presume, a man who chose his words carefully.  So when he writes the stanza,

“Holy, Holy, Holy! Tho’ the darkness hide Thee. 

Tho’ the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.”

Did he not purposely choose each of those words for a reason?  Most poets are careful about words.

This is a hymn I have been familiar with and sung as a child many years prior to my conversion. Why would anyone change the term “sinful man” to “sinfulness” as was done in The Christian Life Hymnal (Hendrickson Publisher, Inc. c.2006) ?  What is the purpose?  I admit I’m stymied.  Are those who arbitrarily change the wording of our Hymns feel the same responsibility to change the text of our Bibles as well?

I believe the term “sinfulness” as used in the Christian Life Hymnal to be ambiguous and relates to no one in particular whereas “sinful man” as originally written by Heber is a pointed reference to personal sin.   

Perhaps the “word changers” feel threatened by too personal an application?