Glory to God ‎#819

819. Be Still, My Soul

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,
who through all changes faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2 Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
to guide the future surely as 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.

3 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 blessed we shall meet at last.

Text Information

• First Line: Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side
• Title: Be Still, My Soul
• Author: Katharina von Schlegel (1752)
• Translator: Jane Laurie Borthwick (1855, alt.)
• Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Psalm 27
  ;
  Psalm 37:3-5
  ;
  Psalm 46:10
  ;
  Psalm 107:28-30
  ;
  Psalm 118:8
  ;
  Proverbs 3:5
  ;
  Isaiah 30:15
  ;
  Mark 4:37-41
  ;
  1 Thessalonians 4:17
  ;
  Hebrews 10:34
  ;
  Revelation 7:17
  ;
  Revelation 21:4
• Topic: Christ's Return; Guidance; Hope; Living and Dying in Christ; Love of God for Us; Providence

Tune Information

• Name: FINLANDIA
• Composer: Jean Sibelius (1899)
• Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Arr. The Hymnal, 1933, alt.
• Copyright: Arr. © 1933, ren. 1961 Presbyterian Board of Christian Education (admin. Westminster John Knox Press)

Text Information:

This meditative text seems to be rooted in Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” while also reaching forward to 1 Thessalonians 4:17b, “we will be with the Lord forever.” Much of the appeal of this hymn comes from its tune, named for the tone poem on which it is based.