Post by Murph on Aug 15, 2023 7:01:41 GMT -6
Be Still, My Soul: Old Lyrics with Timeless Truths
Lately, the words of this classic hymn have echoed in my head. The stirring melody by Jean Sebelius has become the theme music for my summer. Be Still My Soul. As Chris Anderson argues in his book, Theology That Sticks, the great hymns of the faith often remind us of the truths of God’s Word far longer than any book we read or sermon we hear. Let’s walk through the lyrics of Be Still My Soul and discover what Scripture passages German hymnwriter Kathrina von Schlegel (and translator Jane Borthwick) reference throughout this hymn.
1. God, Sovereign and Faithful
(1) 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 heav’nly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Similar to many of the psalms, the hymnwriter talks to herself. She commands her soul to be still (Psalm 42:11; 43:5). Why? Because God is there at her side (Psalm 118:6). He is in control and has power to provide what she needs (Psalm 23:1). God is that friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Like Christ, we must look to the joy set before us as we endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Every step of our journey, God is sovereign and faithful.
rootedthinking.com/2023/08/08/be-still-my-soul-old-lyrics-with-timeless-truths/