When we’re troubled and need answers, it’s hard to wait. That’s one of the dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit, sometimes very appropriately translated “long-suffering.” It might be when we’re struggling with a serious illness. It might be in the wake of a family tragedy. It might be when we see evil growing stronger around us. These are times when we need patience to wait on the Lord, not only for an end to the situation that has brought us distress, but also for some understanding of the Lord’s purposes in having allowed this to come into our life. And these times also require perseverance to endure if it continues, and also if the Lord does not see fit to show us His purposes.
Job is held out to us as a model of patience. Despite the overwhelming anguish and pain of his losses and afflictions, he did not turn away from the Lord as so many others have done in similar times. Rather, even while the physical and emotional pain was so intense, he turned to the Lord. His patience is acknowledged as a trait of godliness in James 5:11. Notice in the next verse, we’re pointed to the Lord who is compassionate and merciful. It was from Him that Job sought patience. And it’s to Him that we must turn as well.
We have a number of passages in the Bible that commend people who “wait on the Lord.” And while that phrase is not there at the end of Psalm 46, the need for that patience is certainly evident. The early verses of the Psalm speak of the earth giving way and mountains falling into the sea. The text goes on to tell of nations raging and kingdoms tottering. The entire mood of the Psalm speaks of troubling times. The music for the Psalm would be dark and heavy. But then in the final verses the music would become bright with the hope that comes from hearing the Lord Himself speak.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” It is with confidence in His promise that we will be able to wait for the day in which He brings that to pass. What will it look like – and feel like – in the life of someone who believes that to be true? Such persons will have patience, knowing that however hard their problems may be at the moment, the Lord will sustain them, will remain near them, and will at the right time turn all of our woes into rejoicing.
The hymn Be Still, My Soul, exemplifies something we find from time to time in the Scriptures. Most Psalms address the Lord, or one another, or the unbelieving world around us. But in this instance, we are addressing ourselves, quieting our own hearts. We are reminding ourselves of what we know to be true, but need to grasp more tightly. It’s as if we were to grab ourselves by the shoulders and say, “Hey, self, don’t forget that the Lord is in control of this and has promised that He will cause all things to work for good and for His glory. So calm down. Be still and trust Him!” It has been reported that Eric Liddell (of “Chariots of Fire” fame) asked that this hymn be read to him as he was near death.
We don’t know very much about Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, the woman who composed the poem which was the basis of the hymn. She was born near Köthen in Germany on October 22 in 1697, twelve years after Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born 80 miles away in Eisenach. Though Bach was not born in her town, he did serve six years in the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen as Kapellmeister, or director of music, from the time Katharina was 20 years old until she was 25. Some believe that Katharina was also attached to the ducal court and therefore may have known that brilliant organist and composer.
Some hymnologists have suggested that she may have become a Lutheran nun. This was the time of German pietism, similar in many ways to the Wesleyan revival in England. Movements born in great passion often deteriorate over time as the fires wane and concern for “the way we have always done it” intensifies. That was true of the Lutheran Church in Germany a century after its founding. It had become infected with a cold scholasticism, much like the deteriorated condition with the Anglicanism in the British Isles. Philipp Jacob Spener (1635-1705) led the German pietistic movement. Though not a hymn writer himself, he inspired a revival in German hymnody characterized by faithfulness to Scripture, personal experience, and deep emotional expression.
Katharina von Schlegel is thought to be the leading female hymn writer of this period. She was a poetess, and her first known published work was “Stille, mein Wille, dein Jesus hilft siegen” (“Silence, my will, your Jesus helps to win”) in the 1752 song book “Neue Sammlung geistlicher Lieder.” Katharina wrote at least 20 hymns, and several were published in 1774 in a collection of spiritual songs called “Köthenische Lieder.” One hundred years after its first publication in the German language, “Stille, mein Wille” was translated into English by Jane L. Borthwick in Scotland and published in “Hymns from the Land of Luther, Series 2,” which Jane and her sister, Sarah Borthwick Findlater, jointly prepared, titled in English, “Be Still, My Soul.” It was in 1927 that the words were joined to the music we know.
The tune FINLANDIA complements this stirring poem wonderfully. The melody comes from a symphonic tone poem by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) by the name of Finlandia, Op. 26. Sibelius wrote it as a patriotic offering in 1899. This composition was performed as the final of seven pieces as the music to accompany a series of tableaus, each reflecting portions of Finnish history. Out of agitated and tumultuous opening music, symbolizing the struggles of the Finnish people, emerges the serenity of the hymn-like melody we know as FINLANDIA, symbolizing hope and resolution. Though it is not the official national anthem of Finland, it is virtually so in the minds and hearts of many Finns.
The Peace Celebrations of 1899 provided the political backdrop for the composition as well as a subtle protest by the composer against the rising censorship from Russia felt in the nearby Scandinavian countries. The censorship was so intense that the composition could not be programmed publicly under its formal title Finlandia, as the Russian Empire would deem that too patriotic. In order to please the Russian censors, other titles were devised such as “Happy Feelings at the Awakening of Finnish Spring.” Finally, David Evans (1874-1948), a Welsh Oxford-trained organist-choirmaster and music professor, matched the translation with the tune for the Revised Church Hymnary (London, 1927). This pairing was brought to the United States where it has become so well known.
In stanza 1, we find comfort knowing that the Lord is with us, whatever “the cross of grief or pain” we may encounter. He is trustworthy to provide all we need as our “heav’nly Friend,” all the way “through thorny ways” to “a joyful end.” What a joy to know that because He “is on your side,” your soul can indeed be still.
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.
In stanza 2, we look to an uncertain future with unshakable “hope” and “confidence.” This is not just wishful thinking; it is grounded in the trust we have in a Savior who has proven His goodness and power over “the waves and winds” of the Sea of Galilee. And those forces of nature “still know His voice.” He still rules over them.
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 dwelt below.
In stanza 3, we face the pain of sorrow we have all known at the loss of a friend or loved one. But these can be the times when we sense Jesus’ nearness most deeply. It’s in such a “vale of tears” that we come to know “His love, His heart,” the one who is gentle and lowly (Matthew 11:29), as He “comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.” So be still!
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shall you better know His love, His heart,
who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul: your Jesus can repay
From His own fullness what He takes away.
In stanza 4, we look ahead to the time when all our sorrows will be over, and that’s when we’re home with the Lord, a time that grows closer every day. Look at all the things named just in this one stanza which will be forever gone: disappointment, grief, fear, sorrow, change, and tears. Then we will find “love’s purest joys restored” when “all safe and blessed we shall meet at last,” not only meet one another, but meet Jesus face to face!
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.
Here’s an anthem arrangement of the hymn by Diane Bish, performed with the choir at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.