Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on 

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
 
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;

Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,

So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.

Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine

Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.


Words: Katharina von Schlegel (1697-1768)
 Music: Jean Sibelius (Finlandia)


The author wrote this hymn in 1752 drawing from the Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God, I will exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth". Aren't the words so beautiful and meaning full to our lives today.


And for those familiar with the composer Jean Sibelius (Finland), the melody now used for this hymn comes from part of one of his compositions "Finlandia (1899)".  It is a most wonderful moving piece of classical music and interestedly written as a protest of Russian censorship and represents Finland's national resistances o Russia's advancing empire.

Comments

  1. I love this hymn - it is so beautiful and restive. I also love the music - it is a very moving piece in every way. I love hymns that take words of Scripture as they are and use them. I think it also helps us remember portions of the Bible!

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  2. These words speak so powerfully into my situation right now. Bless you for sharing! I love this hymn, and hymns in general. And Psalm 46 is a favourite, too.

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