Be Still, My Soul
In a week full of midterms, quizzes and papers it is necessary for me to embrace the lesson in Katarina von Schlegel’s hymn based on Psalm 131:1-3. The words of this hymn from the 1700’s are as fresh today as they were 300 years ago.
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 hast’ning 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.
I have to agree with Dave Powlison that “most of the noise in our souls is generated by our attempts to control the uncontrollable.” The process of learning to quiet my soul must be an active choice. I am saying “Sssssshhhh” to my desires, fears, opinions, anxieties, agendas, and irritabilities. I must continually focus on my enduring hope: all that God promises to do in and through Jesus Christ.
Be still, my soul!
October 14th, 2004 at 9:45 am
I absolutely love this hymn.
Came across it because it played as soundtrack for an Alias episode, of all things, but the recording I have of it is absolutely beautiful.
Thanks for reminding me of it this morning.
October 14th, 2004 at 2:47 pm
the tune I grew up singing this to is “Finlandia” by Sibelius. Simply stunning.
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:09 am
I came across a recording of this on the recently released :”Free”, by Libera (italics)– (an upbeat boys choir, in England). Boys sops. singing it; absolutely glorious, and yes, to Finlandia. I’d never really heard the hymn lyrics, before (only the music); it is now my favorite hymn. I would like to know more about the woman who wrote this: She had such immeasurable spiritual strength and hope! Can you pass on any references about her to me? I did a search to get this hit; have no idea where I’m posting!
Thanks,
L.
October 8th, 2006 at 11:40 am
be stil and know that i am god what fabulous thoughts and a faubulous song be still my soul thank our father for inspirations and people who follow those inspirations and bless thousand
June 18th, 2007 at 12:16 am
I have long loved this hymn - I ran a search because I wanted a specific recording of it - my grandmother just died, and these words have been running through my head.