In what could actually be considered a historic moment Grammy-Award winner Chris Tomlin and renowned songwriter Ben Fielding have resurrected an extraordinary artifact—the oldest known Christian hymn. Discovered in the Egyptian sands of Oxyrhynchus in 1918, the artifact known as “P.Oxy 1786” is an astonishing 1,800-year-old hymn containing both ancient lyrics and original musical notations. These sacred words have now been reborn into an epic, powerful worship anthem titled “The First Hymn.”

LYRICS: 

“Let all be silent: The shining stars not sound forth, All rushing rivers stilled, As we sing our hymn To the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, As all Powers cry out in answer, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Might, praise, and glory forever to our God. The only Giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen.”

Accompanying the song is a feature-length documentary directed by historian Dr. John Dickson, tracing the hymn’s incredible journey from an ancient Egyptian artifact to a vibrant modern-day anthem. The documentary premieres in Los Angeles on April 14 at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology and streams worldwide starting April 15 on wonder. watch. Fans and history enthusiasts can experience Tomlin and Fielding’s powerful live performance during the Washington D.C. premiere at the Museum of the Bible on the 15th.

“The First Hymn is a sacred gift passed down from the early Church—some of whom literally gave their lives for this song and for the gospel,” shared Tomlin. “Now, 1,800 years later, we stand in a long line of brave and bold believers, singing alongside them.

“This song reminds us of the history of our faith—it’s not a trend, it’s not a fad, and it’s certainly not 30 minutes old. It’s ancient, it’s historical, and it’s eternal. The worship of the one true God—the giver of all good gifts—has echoed through generations.” Tomlin adds, “I am incredibly grateful and humbled to join my friend Ben Fielding and the Undeceptions Documentary Team in honoring those who came before us and helping bring this powerful hymn back to life—and back into the voice of the Church.”

Tomlin, celebrated globally with 21 number-one hits and over seven billion streams, describes this latest project as profoundly meaningful. In a recent conversation with Logan Sekulow, Tomlin also reflected on another deeply personal and powerful event: his annual Good Friday concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, now in its ninth year.

“It’s probably my favorite thing… and I look forward to it every year. I’m so grateful,” Tomlin expressed. He continued passionately, “It has to remember the cross, to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and to remember the hope that we have.”

The Good Friday concert at Bridgestone Arena has evolved beyond a typical worship gathering. It is now a profound moment of spiritual reflection, unity, and renewed faith, gathering thousands in a collective acknowledgment of the reason behind their faith. Tomlin summarized its significance beautifully, declaring, “It’s a place where the church remembers why we gather.”

Tomlin enthusiastically invites those near Nashville to join this transformative experience. “There’s a few seats left. Not many. But if you’re around Nashville, you got to be there. It’s so special.” Logan Sekulow, having witnessed the event firsthand, describes it as “an incredibly powerful experience.”

Annually, “Good Friday Nashville” passionately supports foster care and adoption through “For Others,” the impactful non-profit organization founded by Tomlin and his wife Lauren. It stands as the largest ticketed Christian event at Bridgestone Arena, reflecting Tomlin’s steadfast commitment to worship and meaningful community service.

“The First Hymn” is available now across all digital platforms and features a captivating music video filmed live at Tomlin’s electrifying concert in his home state of Texas. Audiences were thrilled as Fielding joined Tomlin on stage for this groundbreaking musical debut.

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