Tom Lennie reflects on hymn use in Scottish churches and the Edinburgh concert showcasing NEW SCOTTISH HYMNS

Take up His yoke where freedom reigns
In love He chastens those He trains
Joy has its root, and grace its key
In patience and humility

Hallelujah! Christ arose
Bearing the wounds He gladly chose
Emblems of pain transformed by grace
Sins cancelled out, joy in their place

I was especially charmed by "Were I To The Cross", carried by a jaunty jig rhythm and an irresistibly catchy melody which I can't for the life of me get out of my head. A delightful paraphrase of Psalm 139, Emily and Greg first performed the song with The New Scottish Folk Sessions on BBC's Songs Of Praise back in 2008.

"How Can It Be" is essentially a revision of Charles Wesley's famed "And Can It Be" - revamped for this project despite Wesley's own plea that his songs not be "mended. . . Let them stand just as they are", he insisted, ". . .we may not be held accountable for the nonsense or doggerel of other men!" Despite such clear instruction being bypassed, I can't help thinking Wesley might have approved de Blieck's reflective adaptation - a beautiful version.

Attention was drawn to the spiritual intensity and striking poetic eloquence contained in "Fill Thou My Life" - penned by aforementioned Horatius Bonar - which the team then delivered with infectious new melody. Perhaps lesser known in Scottish hymnal history is Ayrshire-born James Montgomery (he lived most of his life in England) but his six-verse communion hymn "According To Thy Gracious Word" was offered in suitably subdued, pensive mode, Ellyn's vocals rising formidably to the challenge.

Steph Macleod

Various other songs added well to the mix, many of them surplus to the CD. These included the congregationally worshipful "One Church One Voice", picked from the grassroots Scottish collective 'Satellite' disc; also David Lyon's inspirational "God Most High", sung by Yvonne, which gem also appears on his own 'Faithful' recording; and a trio of songs from Steph Macleod. These comprised "Lord Have Mercy" (from his debut CD 'Light In The Darkest Of Nights'), a fully stripped-down take of "Amazing Grace" - Steph's favourite hymn, relating his own poignant testimony - and a rootsy blues cut of "Power In The Blood", where emotion oozed from Steph's vocals and Graham's deft fiddle interchangeably.

All hymn lyrics were highlighted by their projection onto a screen above the stage, allowing their significance and poetic beauty to be better appreciated. The hope of New Scottish Arts is that some of these songs will have strong enough appeal for them - or others from the Church's vast hymnal heritage - to be introduced to congregations across the land in aid of worshipping God in all his glory and majesty. Certainly this is intended as an ongoing project, with new hymns and re-interpretations continually coming to the fore. May it prove so to be.