Be Still My Soul

This hymn comes to us from three different nations, three different people, who lived in three different time periods. The text was written by Katharina von Schegel in 1752 in Germany, and translated into English by Jane Borthwick in Scotland in 1855. The melody comes from the piece Finlandia, written by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in 1899. This melody is as well-known within the church as the tune to other hymns, such as We Rest on Thee, which was sung by Jim Elliot and his fellow missionaries immediately prior to their martyrdom in the Ecuadorian jungle in 1956.

“Be Still My Soul” encourages us to trust God’s faithfulness and favor toward us, even in life’s darkest circumstances. He leads us “through thorny ways” that we experience now “to a joyful end” both in this life and the next. He is our “best, [our] heavenly Friend” who causes all things to work together for the good of his people (Romans 8:32). Verse four reminds us of our final destination, when sorrow is “forgot, love’s purest joys restored.” It is a certain knowledge of the future that enables us to face our trials with peace and confidence.

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Be Still My Soul

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 every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

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.

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 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.

Text: Katharina von Schlegel, 1752
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1855
Tune: FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius, 1899