Heely  said "Just a thought from an old organist /choirmaster: my
choir members say that a hymn is what you remember when you are lying on
a guerney outside of the operating room. A praise song is what you recover
to.

 I have choir members who have recalled the hymns they sang in
their minds while under the white sheet waiting for the operation in the
cold waiting

 area. Think about it; His Eye Is On The Sparrow 
or Lord, I Lift Your Name On High.   I know what I would
sing.

<a href="http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=50011#798715">
Here </a> is the story of what happened to me last Monday while doing
music therapy in a convalescent/rehab. center.  It strongly echoes
your point.

Genie