I (Britta) didn’t get married until I was 28, and I spent a lot of time in my 20’s wrestling with what God had planned for my life, if it wasn’t marriage and kids. This hymn was a huge comfort to me, a reminder of God’s faithfulness in every circumstance, a promise that God is in control and his plan is best. (In my case, that meant becoming an Architect and Designer, which eventually led me here to Word & Wonder!)

When I did eventually get married, I walked down the aisle to this hymn. Then it was a statement that I would always trust God with my life, whatever it might hold. I cry with joy every time I sing the last verse and hope for the day when we will be forever with the Lord, when all disappointment, grief, and fear will be gone.

Can you imagine that day?
Is it hard for you to wait on the Lord right now?

Lyrics

Verse 1
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heav’nly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Verse 2
Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
to guide the future as he has the past;
your hope, your 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 lived below.

Verse 3
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.

Scripture Reference: Psalm 46
Text: Katharina A. von Schlegel (1752), translated by Jane Borthwick (1855)
Music: FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius (1899)
Meter: 10.10.10.10.10.10
Copyright: Public Domain

This hymn is featured in our Hymn of the week playlist!