Be Still, My Soul
Katherine von Schlegel 1697-?
English Translation - Jane L. Borthwick, 1813-1897
In the early 17th Century, the church in Germany found itself cold, dormant, and having no evangelistic impact in the land. But in the latter half of the century God lit the fires of revival and the Piestic Revival in Germany was born, very similar to the Puritan and Weslyan movements in England. Out of this revival many rich theological songs were composed and congregational singing rediscovered.
Katherine von Schlegel was one of the gloriously regenerated souls as a result of this revival movement. Not much is known of her other than that she was a Lutheran and may have been the canoness of an evangelical women's seminary in Germany. However, Katherine is accredited for contributing a great number of lyrics to a collection of spiritual songs published in 1752.
Approximately 100 years after it was written, Jane Borthwick, a scholar noted for her fine work in translating German texts, translated this wonderful hymn into the English language.
Undoubtedly, since its inception by Ms. von Schlegel this has been a hymn of great encouragement and perspective to believers throughout the ages. It places before us the tension between difficult trials and faith in an omnipotent and sovereign God who is our faithful, loving, and caring Friend.
Verse 1
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.
Devotional thought: Christ's call to every would-be disciple is to lay down his life, take up his cross, and follow Him. Disciples are not promised the pleasure and ease of this world, but persecution and pruning trials under the loving and sovereign hand of a faithful Father. However, the character of God is to be the believers’ sure foundation in these times, knowing that He only gives what is best to His children (James 5:17, Rom.8:32). Our best is always those things that lead us to be more like Christ.
Verse 2
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 winds and waves still know His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Devotional thought: Why should we take confidence in the Lord? This verse tells us many reasons why our Lord is to be our confidence:
- Just as the Lord in His providence has allowed trials in life to take place, He is also sovereign in directing the future of our lives. (Jer.29:11)
- Though we do not necessarily understand why God in His providence is allowing hardships, we can be confident that we will have whatever the Lord has promised in and through the trial. (Heb.10:35-36)
- Our omniscient Lord is not unaware of the violent storms of our lives; He actually walks with us through them and is in full control over them by the word of His power.
Verse 3
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.
Devotional thought: The believer has a true hope: a confident expectation of receiving something good! This hope is founded in the understanding that the issues of this life (disappointment, grief, fear, and sorrow) are only for a moment. Yet greater still...we shall be forever with the Lord. No more sin, no more sorrow, no more battle with the enemy; only the wonders of glorying in the uninhibited presence of the One who loved us through it all.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for faithfully abiding with us through the difficulties of life and for orchestrating them to shape us into what you would have us to be. We thank you, Lord, for a hope that is founded in You, the faithful One, and that Your promise is that we would be with You, where You are. So we pray for strength as we look forward with great anticipation to Your coming. Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.
