But that does not exhaust their usefulness. The very act of singing draws together those who sing and instructs them. Lutherans expect the words of hymns and anthems to convey a theologically significant message. Typically, we sing a hymn then move to the next part of the service without reflection. But hymn texts merit greater attention.
Hymns are efforts at spiritual formation, at guided response.
H ymn texts can provide the basis for personal reflection and meditation. In her book Common Hymnsense, Marshall leads readers through hymns, familiar and new, carefully pointing out what can be learned. Such close reading reveals the thinness of some hymns texts and the rich depth of others. Let Us Eat, Marshall highlights the intertwining of images from Jesus' life and death with the church's celebration of the Lord's Supper. The hymn offers the image of a splendid feast, shared by all, pointing us to the time when God's reign will be complete.