Hymn of the Month “Be Still My Soul”
Friends, June’s hymn of the month is “Be Still My Soul”.
This hymn comes from three different nations people. The text was written by Katharina von Schegel in 1752 in Germany, and translated into English by Jane Borthwick in Scotland in 1855. The melody comes from the piece Finlandia, written by Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, in 1899. (The same music is also used for “We Rest on Thee”, sung by Jim Elliot and his fellow missionaries just prior to their martyrdom in the Ecuadorian jungle in 1956.)
This hymn was reportedly the favourite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath (see the movie Chariots of Fire). Liddell later became a missionary in China, and was interned there by the Japanese during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp (where he ministered powerfully and eventually died).
The hymn struck me most memorably at church on the first Sunday after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It was a great comfort to many on that day, just as when we sung it last year at the funeral of Chris Dixon, our dear sister in Christ.
“Be Still My Soul” encourages us to trust God’s faithfulness, even in darkest circumstances. It uses the tactic often seen in the Psalms of talking oneself back into faith in God. Yes, he leads us “through thorny ways”, but only “to a joyful end”, both in this life and the next. Jesus is our “best […] heavenly Friend”. He still rules the wind and the waves as he did in Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). He is with us through death’s dark vale (Psalm 23).
Verse 4 points us to the new creation where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (Revelation 21:1-7). This vision of the future can help us face our trials with confidence.
1. Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief and pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
2. Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake,
all now mysterious shall be clear at last.
Be still, my soul: the tempests still obey
his voice, who ruled them once on Galilee.
3. Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,
then you shall better know his love, his heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrow, calm your fears.
Be still, my soul: for Jesus can repay
from his own fullness all he takes away.
4. Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
when we shall be for ever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
sorrow forgotten, love’s pure joy restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and bless-ed we shall meet at last.
Warmly in Christ,
Sandy Grant