Chris Tomlin's 'First Hymn,' resurrects the oldest hymn ever found

Chris Tomlin's 'First Hymn,' resurrects the oldest hymn ever found

(RNS) — In the 1890s, a pair of British archaeologists began digging in an ancient rubbish heap at the edge of the ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, looking for a glimpse into the city’s past. They’d eventually find tens of thousands of documents, written on papyrus and preserved in the desert for centuries, ranging from official documents to personal letters. Among them was a fragment about 11 inches long and 2 inches wide that detailed shipments of…

Chris Tomlin's New Song Resurrects World's Oldest Known Hymn

In the 1890s, a pair of British archaeologists began digging in an ancient rubbish heap at the edge of the ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, looking for a glimpse into the city’s past. They’d eventually find tens of thousands of documents, written on papyrus and preserved in the desert for centuries, ranging from official documents to personal letters. Among them was a fragment about 11 inches long and 2 inches wide that detailed shipments of grain o…

The Oldest Christian Hymn Ever Found Is Being Sung Again after 1,800 Years - Michael Foust

An 1,800-year-old Christian hymn discovered in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt—complete with original lyrics and musical notation—has inspired both a new documentary, The First Hymn, and a contemporary worship song by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding. Celebrated as the oldest known Christian song, the hymn affirms early belief in the Trinity and unites modern worshippers with the voices of the early church.