I Cried Today
As I cradled a snoozing fragile Henry. As I remembered the spirted Aunty Thel. As we sang this hymn. I cried. I felt a connection with a line here and a phrase there and a haunting tune whispered in a melodic tune.
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 fulness, 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 blesséd we shall meet at last.
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 fulness, 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 blesséd we shall meet at last.
posted by Jeff at 12:57 pm
3 Comments:
Thanks Jeff. Somehow I managed to read your post at the perfect time. I had just posted something on my blog that spoke of the sadness I am feeling at leaving Utopia. That Hymn was a timely reminder for me that 'God doth undertake to guide the future as he has the past.'
It is one of my favourite hymns and hymn tunes (Finlandia by Sibelius). I always associate it with funerals and grief, so it catches in my throat too.
It has that now-uncommon sentiment of welcoming death which is difficult to comprehend in this death-denying culture.
It also expresses an enviable confidence in God.
Thank you for reminding us to "Be still."
Loved it Jeff.
Post a Comment
<< Home