Saturday, June 16, 2007

Be Still My Soul


I don't think that I can find the language to tell you how much I love this hymn. Oh, what words! Apparently, three people contributed to its enriching our lives today: A German woman named Katharina von Schlegal wrote the words in the eighteenth century; one hundred years later a woman named Jane Borthwick translated it into English; and its tune was contributed by Finland's Sibelius, from one of the movements in his "Finlandia." Its rich classical flavor certainly does touch the hearts of many folks, mine included.


The truths found here bring comfort and that is why it is the favorite of many a person. It has been a balm for many a grief-stricken heart. It is SO hard for me to pick one verse as I usually do. Each of the four stanzas that I'm familiar with is so PRECIOUS. The Cyber Hymnal has a fifth stanza that I've never seen before; I'm not sure why it's left out of most of my references and hymnal. At any rate, go there and meditate on it and have a wonderful Lord's Day.


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.

2 comments:

Vicki said...

Oh, oh! This is also one of my favorites, too! It soothes my soul. Talk about a balm for the grief-stricken heart. Just beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Calm as baby’s breath

as peaceful as the storm’s eye

Clouds spread and drawn with rough strokes of stratospheric winds

a warm and windy tropical day.