Be Still, My Soul

I love hymns. I grew up surrounded by their melodies and their beautiful lyrics still play in my mind throughout the day. So much so that singing hymns has become part of my son's bedtime routine. (He has no interest in the usual baby lullabies I've tried out, but he knows all the words to Great is Thy Faithfulness, How Great Thou Art, How Deep the Father's Love, The Lord Bless Thee and many more.)

Much of the past year has been tough. We have never been more aware of our frailty and of the suffering that exists in the world. Again and again we found ourselves stretched, hurting and at times struggling. Alongside my current bible study in 1 Peter, I have found myself returning again and again to one particular hymn. Its words, rich with gospel truth and eternal perspective, are like a sweet balm:

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, though 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 sorrows 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 blessed we shall meet at last.