Idle, Christopher Martin
b Bromley, Kent 1938. Eltham Coll, St Peter’s Coll Oxford (BA, English), Clifton Theol Coll Bristol; ordained in 1965 to a Barrow-in-Furness curacy. He spent 30 years in CofE parish ministry, some in rural Suffolk, mainly in inner London (Peckham, Poplar and Limehouse). Author of over 300 hymn texts, mainly Scripture based, collected in Light upon the River (1998) and Walking by the River (2008), Trees along the River (2018), and now appearing in some 300 books and other publications; see also the dedication of EP1 (p3) to his late wife Marjorie. He served on 5 editorial groups from Psalm Praise (1973) to Praise!; his writing includes ‘Grove’ booklets Hymns in Today’s Language (1982) and Real Hymns, Real Hymn Books (2000), and The Word we preach, the words we sing (Reform, 1998). He edited the quarterly News of Hymnody for 10 years, and briefly the Bulletin of the Hymn Society, on whose committee he served at various times between 1984 and 2006; and addressed British and American Hymn Socs. Until 1996 he often exchanged draft texts with Michael Perry (qv) for mutual criticism and encouragement. From 1995 he was engaged in educational work and writing from home in Peckham, SE London, until retirement in 2003; following his return to Bromley after a gap of 40 years, he has attended Holy Trinity Ch Bromley Common and Hayes Lane Baptist Ch. Owing much to the Proclamation Trust, he also belongs to the Anglican societies Crosslinks and Reform, together with CND and the Christian pacifist Fellowship of Reconciliation. A former governor of 4 primary schools, he has also written songs for school assemblies set to familiar tunes, and (in 2004) Grandpa’s Amazing Poems and Awful Pictures. His bungalow is smoke-free, alcohol-free, car-free, gun-free and TV-free. Nos.13, 18, 21, 23A, 24B, 27B, 28, 31, 35, 36, 37, 48, 50, 68, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 85, 89, 92, 95, 102, 108, 109, 114, 118, 119A, 121A, 125, 128, 131, 145B, 157, 176, 177, 193*, 313*, 333, 339, 388, 392, 420, 428, 450, 451, 463, 478, 506, 514, 537, 548, 551, 572, 594, 597, 620, 621, 622, 636, 668, 669, 693, 747, 763, 819, 914, 917, 920, 945, 954, 956, 968, 976, 1003, 1012, 1084, 1098, 1138, 1151, 1158, 1159, 1178, 1179, 1181, 1201, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1212, 1221, 1227, 1236, 1237, 1244, 1247, 5017, 5018, 5019, 5020.
Hymns
- The Christian Life - Guidance
- Psalms
- Psalms 12
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17
- Ecclesiastes 12:13
- 119A
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Christian Citizenship
- Psalms 95:7
- Matthew 6:10
- 1 Corinthians 1:24
- 920
- The Son
- The Son - His Ascension and Reign
- Acts 1:9-11
- Hebrews 12:14
- 1 Peter 3:22
- 478
- The Church
- The Church - Baptism
- Titus 3:5
- Ephesians 1:19-20
- Romans 6:1-14
- 636
- Psalms
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Families and Children
- Genesis 6:9
- Psalms 125:5
- Galatians 6:16
- 128
- The Son
- The Son - His Resurrection
- 1201
- The Future
- The Future - Heaven and Glory
- Luke 12:32
- Revelation 5:11-14
- Philippians 1:23
- 968
- The Gospel - Invitation and Warning
- The Gospel
- Revelation 22:17
- John 14:6
- John 6:37
- 668
- The Son
- The Son - His Return in Glory
- Isaiah 1:11-17
- Ecclesiastes 12:5
- John 4:14
- 506
- The Gospel - Invitation and Warning
- Psalms
- Exodus 15:2
- Psalms 100:3
- Genesis 1:1-10
- 95
- Psalms
- The Christian Life - Spiritual Warfare
- Psalms 3:5
- 2 Kings 19:35
- 2 Chronicles 32:21
- 35
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - The Earth and Harvest
- Genesis 2:19-20
- Ephesians 1:10
- Genesis 1:20-28
- 914
- Approaching God
- The Future
- The Future - Heaven and Glory
- 1098
- The Gospel
- The Gospel - New Birth and New Life
- Jeremiah 24:7
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
- 693
- CP11
- Children's
- 5020
- The Church
- The Church - Gifts and Ministries
- Luke 11:2
- Matthew 6:9
- James 2:5
- 594
- 5019
- The Father - His Covenant
- Psalms
- Psalms 79:5
- Psalms 78:3-7
- 1 Samuel 16:1-13
- 89
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Freedom in Christ
- John 8:31-36
- Luke 4:18
- John 20:28
- 747
- The Church
- The Church - Gifts and Ministries
- 1204
- Psalms
- Approaching God - The Lord's Day
- Exodus 15:2
- Isaiah 12:2
- Hebrews 13:6
- 118
- Approaching God
- Approaching God - Adoration and Thanksgiving
- Luke 2:14
- Hebrews 12:2
- Luke 19:38
- 176
- The Church
- The Church - Evangelism and Mission
- Revelation 21:1
- Revelation 22:20
- John 3:16
- 620
- The Father
- The Father - His Providence
- 1158
- Approaching God
- Approaching God - The Eternal Trinity
- Genesis 15:1
- Psalms 42:8
- John 14:6
- 157
- The Church
- The Church - Evangelism and Mission
- Jeremiah 23:3
- Psalms 87:1-3
- Psalms 48:8-14
- 621
- The Father - His Covenant
- Psalms
- Numbers 30:1-2
- Jeremiah 50:34
- Psalms 51:16
- 50
- The Father
- The Father - His Providence
- 1205
- The Christian Life
- The Son
- The Son - His Name and Praise
- 1084
- Approaching God
- Approaching God - Adoration and Thanksgiving
- Daniel 12:2-3
- Psalms 148:2
- Genesis 1:1-5
- 177
- The Church
- The Church - Evangelism and Mission
- Revelation 22:20
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
- Joel 3:10
- 622
- The Church
- The Church - Character and Privileges
- 1212
- Psalms
- Psalms 4:8
- Exodus 10:2
- Exodus 13:14
- 48
- The Son
- The Son - His Life and Ministry
- 1179
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- The Son - His Resurrection
- 1178
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- Psalms 34:22
- Revelation 12:10
- Colossians 3:1-2
- 420
- The Christian Life - Humbling and Restoration
- Psalms
- Acts 4:29
- Job 13:24
- Psalms 13
- 13
- The Bible
- The Bible - Authority and Sufficiency
- Psalms 95:7-8
- Luke 11:28
- Proverbs 5:21
- 548
- The Gospel - Invitation and Warning
- Psalms
- Proverbs 28:9
- Job 30:12
- Psalms 28:1
- 109
- The Father - His Providence
- Psalms
- Exodus 15:2
- Deuteronomy 6:5
- 1 Samuel 30:6
- 18
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- Psalms
- Job 17:15
- Psalms 9:11
- 2 Kings 19:15
- 121A
- The Gospel - New Birth and New Life
- Psalms
- Hosea 10:12
- Exodus 34:6-7
- Joel 2:13
- 145B
- The Son
- The Son - His Resurrection
- Job 19:25
- Isaiah 40:6-8
- Matthew 24:35
- 463
- Christ's Lordship over all of life - Christian Stewardship
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- 1012
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- Philippians 1:6
- Matthew 11:28
- Philippians 1:10-11
- 763
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- Colossians 1:20
- 1 John 1:7-9
- Revelation 1:7
- 428
- The Father - His Providence
- Psalms
- Acts 23:12-22
- Deuteronomy 32:4
- Numbers 6:25
- 31
- Psalms
- Numbers 6:25
- 2 Samuel 6:2
- Nehemiah 1:1-4
- 80
- The Church
- The Church - Character and Privileges
- 1 Peter 2:3
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 572
- The Father - His Character
- Psalms
- 1 Chronicles 15:16
- Exodus 19:16-19
- Exodus 20:1-21
- 68
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Suffering and Trial
- 1244
- The Son
- The Son - His Name and Praise
- Revelation 1:5-6
- Psalms 85:10
- John 16:13-15
- 313
- The Christian Life - Peace and Joy
- Psalms
- Psalms 23:6
- Psalms 27
- Micah 7:8
- 27B
- The Father - His Covenant
- Psalms
- Exodus 10:2
- Exodus 13:14
- Deuteronomy 6:20
- 78
- The Gospel - Invitation and Warning
- The Gospel
- Proverbs 3:13-15
- Philippians 3:14
- Revelation 5:12
- 669
- The Church - The Life of Prayer
- Psalms
- Zephaniah 2:14
- Zechariah 2:10
- Psalms 42:3
- 102
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Those in Need
- 1209
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Facing Death
- 1203
- The Son - His Ascension and Reign
- Psalms
- Psalms 37:4
- Deuteronomy 9:3
- Psalms 21:3
- 21
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- Psalms
- Jeremiah 17:13
- Hebrews 13:8
- Psalms 102:27
- 131
- Psalms
- Approaching God - Morning and Evening
- Proverbs 11:28
- Deuteronomy 32:4
- Job 21:7-13
- 92
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Governments and Nations
- Ephesians 3:17
- Genesis 4:8-9
- Ephesians 2:14
- 954
- The Church - Evangelism and Mission
- Psalms
- The Christian Life - Spiritual Warfare
- Psalms 36:5
- Exodus 39
- Psalms 57:5-11
- 108
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Governments and Nations
- John 12:46
- Psalms 73:25
- Matthew 20:25-28
- 956
- The Father - His Love
- Psalms
- Ruth 2:12
- Psalms 36:9
- Psalms 57:1
- 36
- Psalms
- The Christian Life - Spiritual Warfare
- Psalms 29:9
- Zechariah 4:14
- Psalms 2:1-2
- 83
- The Christian Life - Suffering and Trial
- Psalms
- Psalms 115:2
- Joel 2:17
- Micah 7:10
- 79
- The Christian Life - Humbling and Restoration
- Psalms
- Psalms 138:2
- Genesis 15:1
- Deuteronomy 32:4
- 28
- The Son
- The Son - His Name and Praise
- 1003
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Those in Need
- Deuteronomy 15:7-11
- John 10:10-11
- Isaiah 53:3
- 945
- The Son
- The Son - His Life and Ministry
- 1159
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Perseverance
- 1151
- The Bible
- The Bible - Authority and Sufficiency
- Joshua 1:7-8
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17
- Ecclesiastes 12:13
- 551
- The Church
- The Church - Gifts and Ministries
- Philippians 3:14
- 1 Peter 5:10
- Ephesians 3:17-19
- 597
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - The Earth and Harvest
- Hebrews 6:7
- Acts 14:17
- Genesis 2:4-6
- 917
- Approaching God
- Approaching God - Adoration and Thanksgiving
- Psalms 72:19
- Habakkuk 3:3
- Revelation 4:8
- 193
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Humbling and Restoration
- 1236
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- 1210
- The Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit - His Presence in the Church
- Romans 8:9
- John 14:26
- John 15:26
- 537
- The Church
- The Church - Gifts and Ministries
- 1247
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- Psalms
- Exodus 34:6
- Psalms 23
- Psalms 95:7
- 23A
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- 1227
- 5017
- The Son
- The Son - His Name and Praise
- John 16:33
- 1 Corinthians 1:27
- Luke 1:37
- 333
- The Future
- The Future - Heaven and Glory
- Ezekiel 47:1-12
- Joel 2:31
- Revelation 1:8
- 976
- The Son - His Ascension and Reign
- Psalms
- Genesis 1:1-10
- Exodus 9:29
- Deuteronomy 10:14
- 24B
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Zeal in Service
- 1211
- The Christian Life - Peace and Joy
- Psalms
- 2 Kings 6:17
- John 16:33
- Psalms 12:5
- 125
- The Father - His Covenant
- Psalms
- Exodus 2:23-25
- Psalms 95:1-2
- Exodus 19:16-19
- 81
- The Gospel
- The Gospel - New Birth and New Life
- 1237
- The Son
- The Son - His Name and Praise
- John 9:5
- John 12:35-36
- 1 John 1:5-7
- 339
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life - Families and Children
- 1221
- The Church
- The Church - Fellowship
- 1181
- The Christian Life
- The Christian Life - Holiness
- Romans 12:2
- Colossians 3:2
- Philippians 2:5-11
- 819
- The Father - His Covenant
- Psalms
- Psalms 11:4
- Exodus 14:21-22
- Exodus 17:1-7
- 114
- The Son
- The Son - His Life and Ministry
- John 1:1-5
- John 1:14
- John 1:45
- 392
- The Christian Life - Submission and Trust
- Psalms
- Jonah 2:9
- Job 21:7-13
- Psalms 6:1
- 37
- Christ's Lordship Over All of Life
- The Christian Life
- The Son
- 1 Kings 18
- 1138
- The Son
- The Son - His Return in Glory
- 1 Peter 5:8-9
- Luke 18:8
- Romans 8:19-23
- 514
- Psalms
- John 1:14
- Ezra 9:6-15
- Ezra 9:8-9
- 85
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- Luke 23:46
- Galatians 3:13
- Acts 5:30
- 450
- The Son
- The Son - His Suffering and Death
- Psalms 119:176
- Romans 4:25
- John 10:17-18
- 451
- The Son
- The Son - His Birth and Childhood
- 2 Corinthians 9:15
- Isaiah 60:6
- Micah 5:2
- 388
- 5018