When new members are publicly received into a church during a morning worship service, it is quite common that to welcome them, people will sing together the familiar hymn, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.” While that 1772 text is quite appropriate for such an occasion, that’s not exactly the setting which the 18th century author had in mind. By one count, the hymn has appeared in at least 2200 hymnals! And it has been said that more church services have been concluded with the singing of “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” and “God Be With You” than with all other hymns combined. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but this song is quite appropriate for use on other purposes than just a closing hymn. One of the greatest blessings that Christians have on earth is the fellowship and association of God’s people to give us encouragement as we try to live here in preparation for heaven. And this song so beautifully pictures the blessings of this relationship based on brotherly love, as it says, “Blest Be the Tie That Binds.”
John Fawcett (1740-1817) grew up in a poor family in Yorkshire, England, and lived his entire life in small towns (probably more like villages) in the Yorkshire moors in England. There were no railways in those days, mail was very slow, and the only way of moving around was on foot or horseback over very poor, barely-formed roads. News would travel slowly from London to a place like Hebden Bridge (his village in Yorkshire).