Be Still My Soul...

Sadly, we live in a day of cutesy little worship choruses, many of which consist of shallow lyrics, nearly devoid of any meaningful doctrinal truth. (The song whose chorus goes, “Yes, Lord, Yes, Lord, Yes, Yes, Lord” comes to mind – no offense meant if that particular song sends your heart soaring heavenward.) Consequently, I often find myself drawn to those “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19) whose timeless and time-tested words reach right down into my sin-sapped soul.

I found myself singing one such spiritual song just yesterday, the words of which are as follows... (Please read it slowly, intentionally, and let its words bring solace, serenity, and stillness to your soul as it has mine.)

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.

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 waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

4. 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.

I sure needed that both yesterday and today.

How about you?