Chris Tomlin Resurrects 1,800 Year Old Hymn Found in Egyptian Desert for Stunning New Documentary

Ancient Christian Hymn From Egyptian Papyrus Brought Back to Life in New Documentary by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding

A groundbreaking new documentary titled The First Hymn is set to hit theaters across the United States on March 24 and 26, 2026, telling the extraordinary story of the oldest known Christian hymn ever discovered.

The film, distributed by Fathom Entertainment and produced by the team behind the Undeceptions podcast, follows historian and professor John Dickson as he traces an ancient papyrus fragment unearthed in the ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. The fragment, dating back approximately 1,800 years, contains the earliest known Christian hymn complete with both lyrics and musical notation.

Grammy Award winning worship artist Chris Tomlin and world renowned Australian songwriter Ben Fielding joined forces with Dickson to transform the ancient text into a modern worship song for a new generation of believers.

These lyrics are literally 1,800 years old.

Chris Tomlin said of the discovery.

It's not my song, it belongs to the Church.

Tomlin added, emphasizing the hymn's universal significance to all Christians.

Ben Fielding echoed the sentiment, stating:

Our hope is to give back to the modern church the very hymn that echoed through the halls of the early church.

The papyrus was analyzed at Oxford University, and the discovery challenges traditional views of church history by revealing the rich musical worship practices of early believers. The ancient Greek hymn predates the next known notated Christian work by six centuries.

Tomlin also reflected on the weight of what the hymn represents:

The First Hymn is a precious gift from early believers, some who literally gave their life for the Gospel.

The documentary features a live concert performance of the reimagined song and includes an exclusive bonus introduction filmed by Tomlin and Fielding for cinema audiences. The hymn also appears on Tomlin's latest album. Tickets are available through Fathom Entertainment and participating theater box offices.

1,800 Year Old Egyptian Hymn Gets Modern Worship Treatment in Theaters This March

The studio recording of the song begins with an Egyptian vocalist singing along with a guitar part that echoes the original melody of the hymn. It then transitions into a new melody crafted by Tomlin and Fielding, available both as a live version recorded at a stadium style concert and one sung with a choir.

Additional information about the film is available at thefirsthymnmovie.com.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is exactly what the Church needs right now. While the world tries to bury our history and erase our roots, God keeps revealing proof that we have been worshipping Him since the very beginning. An 1,800 year old hymn, written by believers who were willing to die for the Gospel, now being sung on stages in 2026. That is the unbroken chain of faith the enemy cannot destroy. Chris Tomlin is right: this song does not belong to any one person. It belongs to the Church, the whole Church, across every denomination, every nation, every century. Let the world hear it.

Take Action

• Buy tickets to see The First Hymn in theaters on March 24 or 26 at Fathom Entertainment and bring your family, your small group, your church youth group.
• Share the documentary trailer with your congregation and on social media to spread the word about our ancient Christian heritage.
• Visit thefirsthymnmovie.com to learn more about the Oxyrhynchus papyrus and the story behind the oldest known Christian hymn.
• Support persecuted Christians who, like the early believers who wrote this hymn, risk their lives for the Gospel. Donate at www.TheShepherdsShield.org or Open Doors USA.
• Listen to Chris Tomlin's latest album featuring "The First Hymn" and add it to your worship playlist. Let this ancient prayer become part of your daily devotion.