Hymn of the Week: Be Still, My Soul

Classical music lovers will recognize the author of the music of this hymn as Jean Sibelius, as the tune comes from Finlandia. The author was an 18th century woman from Germany [the words were originally written in German] named Katharina von Schlegel.

The main message of the song is in its title: Be still, my soul. There will be grief and pain; dearest friends will depart; the future is uncertain. Many other things will distress the soul—nevertheless, the Lord is on your side! Leave to God to order and provide. He will guide the future. He will love you and soothe your sorrows and fears.

The day will come when God's children will be forever with Him. If you are one of His, be still and rest in this. He is in control. He loves you and will take care of you.

If you are not one of His children, I hope and pray that you will become one!

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.