The story
In the ancient ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, archaeologists unearthed a papyrus scrap containing the earliest known Christian hymn, complete with both its lyrics and musical notation. Analyzed at Oxford University, this discovery challenges traditional views of church history by revealing the rich musical practices of early believers. Hosted by Australian historian John Dickson, The First Hymn is a feature-length documentary that follows an ancient song from its desert origins to its rediscovery today. As the story unfolds, composers Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding reimagine the melody for modern worship, leading to a live concert performance.
