It Is No Secret

 

Carl Stuart Hamblen was born into the family of a traveling Methodist preacher in 1908, in Kelleyville, Texas. His father, J. H. Hamblen founded the Evangelical Methodist Church denomination.

During his youth, Hamblen traveled throughout Texas with his father. He attended school between trips, preparing for a teaching career, and he completed college with a degree in education. He practiced singing while riding the range, often writing his own songs.

Hamblen’s career as a Country Western Gospel singer, composer, radio-movie personality, and master storyteller all began in 1926, on radio station on WBAP, Ft Worth, TX, and sister station WFAA, Dallas, TX, where he became radio broadcasting’s first singing cowboy. The next major turning point in his career happened in 1929 when he won a talent show in Abilene, Texas, and with the $100 cash prize in hand, he headed for Camden, New Jersey, to the Victor Talking Machine Company to seek his fortune.

Eventually he settled in California in 1931, where he began his radio career which ran for 20 years. He began hosting the popular Family Album in California, while also appearing in motion pictures and rodeos. For a while, he ventured into horse-racing as an owner. 

In 1934, he became the first artist signed by the American subsidiary of Decca Records. Hamblen did not cope well with the pressures of his high-profile career and sought relief in alcohol. Many times his drinking landed him in jail for public brawling and other destructive behavior. The Texas State Historical Association reports that Hamblen identified himself as the "original juvenile delinquent."

He met Rev. Billy Graham when Grahan appeared on Hamblen’s radio show. He was invited to attend a crusade and attended reluctantly.

Rev. Graham is reported to have said, “There is one man in this audience who is a big fake.” While many may have felt he was talking about them, Hamblen was sure he was talking about him.

Several days later he arrived at the Graham’s door. He was drunk and demanded the pastor pray for him. Rev. Graham said, “This is between you and God, and I’m not going to get in the middle of it.” The two men spoke, the gospel was shared, and about three hours later Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ.

Hamblen completely changed his life and ways, and he began to write Christian songs (with little success). He eventually lost his radio show when he refused to promote alcohol. He subsequently gave up gambling and horse racing and entered Christian broadcasting with his radio show, The Cowboy Church of the Air, which ran until 1952.

Sometime later, a friend of Hamblen asked him about the rumor going around Hollywood that Hamblen had changed his ways. Hamblen replied that it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too. The friend then replied that Hamblen should turn those lines into a song. That friend's name was John Wayne.

Hamblen tells the story this way: "I wrote the song one night, shortly after midnight. My wife and I had been visiting one of Hollywood's most famous movie stars. We had gone over to his home just to fill him in on some of the things that had happened in his recent absence.

"Somehow the discussion got around to how people can solve problems within themselves. I remember making a statement such as, 'It's no secret what God can do in a man's life.' About two hours later, as we were about to leave the actor's home he said, 'Stuart you ought to write a song about it is no secret what God can do. That is a beautiful thought.'"

"As we walked across the lawn, back to our house, I began to think about it. When we arrived at home, I walked into the living room and sat down at the organ.

“Our hall clock began to ‘chime’ the hour of midnight. I grabbed a pen and started writing, 'The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through' and on and on until the song was finished. I then turned and glanced at the hall clock. It was only 17 minutes after midnight. I couldn't believe it. I had never been able to write any musical composition in less than three or four hours. I thought the clock had stopped. I then looked and saw the big pendulum still swinging."

Hamblen married Suzy Daniels and they had two children. They were married 55 years.

Verse One

“The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through,

Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength, your courage to renew,

Do not be disheartened, I have news for you.”

Acts 5:42

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah."

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The disciples didn’t stop preaching for a moment. This challenges each of us as followers of Jesus. They continued where we may have stopped. We often find the threat of social rejection enough to make us keep quiet about who Jesus is and what He did for us. We need to have the apostles’ courage and determination to stand firm for Jesus Christ.

Spurgeon spoke of this kind of bold heart: “Now I charge every Christian here to be speaking boldly in Christ’s name, according as he has opportunity, and especially to take care of this tendency of our flesh to be afraid; which leads practically to endeavors to get off easily and to save ourselves from trouble. Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for Him who died lovingly for you.”

Verse Two

“There is no night for in His light, you never walk alone,

Always feel at home, wherever you may roam.

There is no power can conquer you, while God is on your side,

Take Him at His promise, don’t run away and hide.”

Romans 4:20

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: There are many precious promises of God, and faith requires all of His children to trust His Word, believe His promises, and have faith in the truth of Scripture. It is a great tribute to Abraham that Paul records that with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God . . . and we should seek to achieve an equivalent faith that stands firm on the promises of God . . .  Not one of us should stagger at the Lord’s promises within His Word, for what God has said He will carry out to completion, for God cannot lie and will never change His mind, and the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. He is faithful and trustworthy, and all His promise are “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

Studylight.org, Clarke’s Commentary: The religion of the Lord Jesus is not in word—in human eloquence, excellence of speech, or even in doctrines; but in power, in the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit; enlightening, quickening, converting, and sanctifying believers.

Refrain

“It is no secret what God can do.

What He’s done for others He’ll do for you.

With arms wide open He’ll pardon you,

It is no secret what God can do.”

 

Isaiah 55:7

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: He abounds in forgiveness. This is the conviction of those who are pardoned; this is the promise of inestimable worth which is made to all who are willing to return to God. On the grounds of this promise all may come to Him, and none who come shall be sent empty away.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: Repentance is not something a person must do before God will accept him or her. It is simply a description of what seeking the Lord looks like. In other words, cleaning up one’s life is not a precondition for acceptance by God. The person who genuinely seeks the Lord and calls on His name has come to grips with his or her sin and is willing to turn it over to the Lord.

Biblestudytools.com, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: The promise of pardon is absolute and unconditional, and is here observed as the motive to forsake sin, and not that as the condition of pardon; the design is to comfort those that are distressed with sin; God does and will pardon, and none but He can, and He has declared that He will; forgiveness is with Him, and it is published in the gospel, and there have been many instances of it. The Lord abundantly pardons.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wikipedia.org

Imdb.com

Hamblenmusic.com

DianaLeaghMatthews.com

Staugustine.com, Lindsay Terry

By His Grace . . . 

Living For Jesus

In 1915, C. Harold Lowden wrote a “light and summery” type of gospel song for children entitled “The Sunshine Song." Lowden shared: “It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to him that the music should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. In 1917, I came across a copy of it in my files and played it over. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words ‘Living for Jesus.’ The idea came to me that a deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate.

“After much thought and prayer, I decided to ask T. O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn’t have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music. Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks, he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today.”

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm was born on July 29, 1866, in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky. Despite his lack of formal education, he became a teacher at the age of 16. By the age of twenty-one, he was associate editor for his hometown newspaper, Franklin Advocate.

 At the age of 27, Chisholm had a Christian conversion experience during a revival in Franklin led by Henry Clay Morrison. Morrison persuaded Chisholm to move to Louisville where he became editor of the Pentecostal Herald. Following his ordination in 1903, Chisholm was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church for one year, before resigning due to poor health. After 1909 Chisholm began working as a life insurance agent in Winola Lake and later in Vineland, New Jersey.

By the time of his retirement he had written over 1,200 poems, 800 of which were published in a number of periodicals such as The Sunday School Times.

Carl Harold Lowden came from a musical family. His father is said to have played the trumpet while rocking Carl’s cradle and his mother played the organ. He was born in 1883, in Burlington, New Jersey. By age 12, Carl was selling compositions to Hall-Mack Company and conducting the church orchestra by the time he was a teenager.

Lowden was associated both with the Hall-Mack Company and with music publisher, John J. Hood. In 1913, he became music editor for the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now the United Church of Christ). Mr. Lowden taught music for several years at the Bible Institute of PA (now the Philadelphia College of Bible). He also served as the minister of music for the Linden Baptist Church in Camden, NJ, for 28 years.

Mr. Lowden composed a number of hymn tunes and edited many songbook collections during his lifetime. He died in 1963.

 Verse One

“Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.”

Colossian 1:9-12

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the Kingdom of light.”

Theologian-theology.com: Paul’s general purpose in writing the letter is that they would be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Paul thinks this knowledge of God’s will, will help the Colossians to live lives that are worthy of and pleasing to Christ. Specifically, the kind of life it will help them to live is one that is marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. This, then, is the life that Paul wants for the Colossians . . . a life marked by good works and growing knowledge of God. These two aspects of the Christian life are inseparable: knowledge of God moves one to do good things.

Verse Two

“Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.”

Psalm 143:10

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Christianity.com: David prays that he might be enlightened with the knowledge of God’s will; and this is the first work of the Spirit. A good man does not ask the way in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way. Not only show me what Thy will is but teach me how to do it. Those who have the Lord for their God, have His Spirit for their Guide; they are led by the Spirit. 

Verse Three

“Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.”

2 Timothy 2:3

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Biblehib.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: As our trials increase, we need to grow stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. This is opposed to our being strong in our own strength. All Christians must be faithful to their Captain, and resolute in His cause . . . We must do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we have need of patience . . . Together with our prayers for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things, we must exhort and stir them up to consider what they hear or read.

Verse Four

“Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.”

Psalm 107:2

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: No Christian has the right to remain silent with regard to the salvation that has been conferred upon him through the gospel of Christ . . . God’s saints need to be vocal about their redemption. If it was required of ancient Israel that they should extol the wonders of God’s delivering them from Babylon, is it not equally binding upon the New Israel to proclaim the wonders of “salvation in Jesus Christ?”

I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wikipedia.org

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Umcdiscipleship.org, Dr. Hawn

Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories

BlueletterBible.org

By His Grace . . . 

 

Victory in Jesus

 

The hymn “Victory in Jesus” holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians. It's powerful message and catchy tune have resonated with people for decades. The song was written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, a gospel songwriter, in the early 20th century. It speaks of the redemptive power of Jesus and the victory one can experience through Him.

Bartlett was born in Waynesville, Missouri, in 1885. He grew up in Sabastian County, Arkansas, and was educated as a music teacher at Hall-Moody Institute in Tennessee and William Jewell College in Missouri. In 1917, he married Joan Tatum.  The couple had two children together.

Bartlett began his career as a publisher for the Central Music Company in Arkansas. In 1918, he established Hartford Music Company, which became one of the first publishing companies for Southern Gospel music.  He served as company president from 1918 until 1935. 

In addition to establishing the music company, he also established a shape note school, the Hartford Music Institute in 1921 and began publishing a monthly quartet magazine, The Herald of Song. As a publisher, his hymn book was in demand, selling over 15,000 copies across the county.

He felt his calling was to publish hymns and teach aspiring singers how to sight-read. He traveled the south, holding singing school and singing conventions. These and similar schools trained aspiring musicians in vocal technique, sight reading, and conducting, and were influential in the development of church music for much of the remainder of the century.

But in 1939 at age 53, his world changed drastically. Bartlett suffered a paralyzing stroke that left him unable to walk or even speak and for the most part, he was bedridden. Many felt the stroke ended his teaching ministry, yet it was during these dark days that Bartlett would write his best-known hymn, Victory in Jesus.

While looking back over his life he began to think back to the night he was born again and the rich life he had since that night. He picked up a pen and began writing with the following words: “I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory, how He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me.” Realizing that the love of God had sustained him and brought him to where he was that day, he is quoted as saying he felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to add another verse. He wrote, “I heard about His healing, of His saving power revealing, how He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see.”

When he completed the song, he looked back over it and saw it was a story of redeeming power from start to finish. He wanted the song to be joyous. And while written during the darkest period of his life he chose to make the melody full of happiness and enthusiasm.

Verse One

“I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary, to save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning,

Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.”

Acts 2:38

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized. Every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Studylight.org, A. C. Hervey, Pulpit Commentary: We have in this short verse the summary of Christian doctrine as regards man and God. Repentance and faith on the part of man; forgiveness of sins, or justification, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, or sanctification, on the part of God.

 Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Biblehub.com, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers: The Apostle will not be ashamed of his mission, even in the metropolis of the world. He cannot be ashamed of a [plan] so beneficent and so grand. The gospel that he preaches is that mighty agency which God Himself has set in motion, and the object of which is the salvation of all who put their faith in it, to whatever nation or race they may belong.

Verse Two

“I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing,

How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;

And then I cried, ‘Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,’

And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory.”

Ephesians 3:7

“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of His power.”

Biblestudytools.com: The power of God is seen in working grace in the hearts of men, thereby making them believers in Christ; and it is also displayed in the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on men, which is called being endued with a power from on high; thereby making men . . . ministers of Christ; and likewise in assisting them in their work, and in carrying them through it, and in making them successful in it, to the conversion of sinners, and the edification of saints.

Psalm 20:6

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to His anointed. He answers him from His heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand.”

Biblehub.com, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: With the saving strength . . . That is, He will interpose with that saving strength. Literally, “with the strength of salvation.” The answer to the prayer will be manifest in the strength or power put forth by Him to save . . . The right hand is the instrument by which we mainly execute our purposes; and by constant use it becomes in fact more fully developed and is stronger than the left hand. Hence, it is used to denote “strength.”

Verse Three

“I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,

And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing and the old redemption story—

And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.”

John 14:2

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Biblehub.com, Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible: This Christ says partly to reconcile the minds of His disciples to His departure from them, and partly to strengthen their hope of following Him thither; in which “are many mansions”; abiding or dwelling places; mansions of love, peace, joy, and rest, which always remain: and there are “many” of them . . . it denotes fulness and sufficiency of room for all His people; for the many ordained to eternal life.

Ephesians 1:13-14

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of His glory.”

RedeemingGod.com: Paul writes that as a result of their belief, they were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit . . . it is to guarantee that we are genuine, it shows ownership, who we belong to, it shows that we are approved, and it provides us with protection or security.

Refrain

“Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!

He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;

He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him—

He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood."

Ephesians 1:7

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Bibleref.com: This verse transitions to payment Jesus made for us “through His blood.” Paul is referring to Christ’s death on the cross as the sufficient payment for the sins of all who believe. What did this redemption cover? It paid to release us from the eternal penalty and the earthly power of our own sins.  This freedom was not “free,” since it is paid for by Christ’s death; it cost Him everything. As a result, for the believer, the ultimate price has already been paid. This is grace: the ability to become a child of God, because God provided a free way to know Him by faith.

“Victory In Jesus” is more than just a song; it is a constant reminder of God’s grace and mercy in each of our lives. The lyrics serve as a powerful testimony of how Jesus can save and transform even the most broken and lost individuals.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Bbackstorysongs.com

DianaleaghMatthews.com

Oldtimemusic.com, Judy Gibson

Follow-jesus-camp.blogspot.com

William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, The Complete Book of Hymns

En.wikipedia.org

Thedailyhatch.org

 By His Grace . . .

 

Be Still My Soul

 

​Three different people played a part in bringing together this beautiful hymn. Katharina von Schlegel, a notable woman of the Pietism Revival, wrote the words, originally in German. One hundred years later the hymn was translated into English by Jane Borthwick. And Finland's greatest-composer, Jean Sibelius, gave it a tune from his "FINLANDIA" composition. God used three people from three countries to put together a hymn that teaches us that God is in control and to wait on Him.

This hymn represents multitude periods of history from when it was first written to its final arrival in the United States in the early 1900s. It is always amazing when a hymn from different periods of time finds life and purpose in the present.

Germany, in the late 1600s and early 1700s was largely Lutheran and was experiencing a religious revival known as the Pietistic Revival. Philipp Jacob Spener was the leader of this movement, which encouraged small Bible study groups, personal works of righteousness and congregational hymn singing. The Pietists also encouraged laymen in the church to express their devotion by writing hymn texts that were subjective, emotional and more expressive than traditional Orthodox Church music had been to that time.

Katharina’s last name, von Schlegel, indicates that she was likely born to an aristocratic family. She was Lutheran and may have been canonist of an evangelical women’s seminary, but apart from that, not much is known of Katharina. One fact though is certain: She knew her Scriptures well, both the Old and the New Testaments.

She was born in Köthen, Germany, in 1697, twelve years after Johann Sebastian Bach 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 from the time Katharina was 20 years old until she was 25. Some believe that Katharina was also attached to the court and therefore may have known the brilliant organist and composer.

Katharina was a poetess, and her first known published work was “Stille, mein Wille, dein Jesus hilft siegen” in 1752. In her hymn, she wove together in a creative and remarkable way a whole series of scriptural themes and references to biblical events.

No record survives of the specific event(s) that inspired her to compose this deeply moving hymn. But such specifics aren’t necessary since we all experience the kind of devastating losses she writes about. And when they come, we often find ourselves enduring an internal hurricane of disorienting grief, in desperate need of the peaceful shelter of hope. And the gift Katharina has bequeathed to us — in the four verses most English hymnals contain (she wrote six) — is this profound poetic reminder of the one shelter for our sorrowful, storm-tossed souls: the faithfulness of God.

One hundred years after its first publication in the German language, “Stille, mein Wille, dein, Jesus hilft siegen” 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.” This hymn was originally sung to several other tunes, none of which were a lasting combination.

Borthwick, born in the 1800s, was a member of the Free Church of Scotland and second only to Catherine Winkworth in bringing the riches of German hymn heritage to the English language. Her translation included five of the original six stanzas, appearing in “Hymns from the Land of Luther, second series” (1855).

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 with a revision in 1900. 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.

Sibelius was born in Finland in 1865. He later changed his name to reflect the French form of Johann and was known thereafter as Jean Sibelius. He was also the composer for many orchestral works, including seven symphonies.

In the early 1900s, David Evans, 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 when it was used in the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. for The Hymnal (1933).

Verse One

“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.”

 

Psalm 118:6

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable's Expository Notes: The writer gave personal testimony to God’s deliverance of him in answer to prayer . . . Since God was with him, he did not need to fear what other people might do to him. Furthermore, the Lord would be his helper, so he could expect to prevail over his adversaries. Therefore, it is better to trust in Yahweh than to place one’s confidence in men, even the most powerful of men . . . The LORD is on my side: The never-ending mercy of God was shown by God’s open favor and help to the one who called upon Him. Knowing God was on his side, he could live free from the fear of man, knowing what can man do to me?

 Verse Two

“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.”

Psalm 29:3

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waves.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: The psalmist here sets forth God’s dominion in the kingdom of nature. In the thunder, and lightning, and storm, we may see and hear His glory. Let our hearts be thereby filled with great, and high, and honorable thoughts of God, in the holy adoring of whom, the power of Godliness so much consists. O Lord our God, Thou art very great! The power of the lightning equals the terror of the thunder. The fear caused by these effects of the Divine power, should remind us of the mighty power of God, of man’s weakness, and of the defenseless and desperate condition of the wicked in the day of judgment. But the effects of the Divine Word upon the world of men, under the power of the Holy Spirit, are far greater than those of thunderstorms in the nature world . . . If we have heard God’s voice and have fled for refuge to the hope set before us, let us remember that children need not fear their Father’s voice, when He speaks in anger to His enemies. While those tremble who are without shelter, let those who abide in His appointed refuge bless Him for their security, looking forward to the day of judgment without dismay, safe as Noah in the ark.

Verse Three

“Be still, my soul: when 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 sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay,

From His own fullness all He takes away.”

Psalm 56:8

“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: The Scriptures are filled with lovely examples of the tender compassion that God extends to the people of Israel and to those that are part of the Body of Christ corporately . . . Is there a more beautiful illustration of the Lord’s great tenderness and His gracious mercies towards each of His children, to you and to me, than is seen in the intimacy that is glimpsed in this lovely Psalm? For we read that the Lord takes account of all our sadness and all our pain, all our weariness and all our wanderings, all the salty teardrops that flow from our eyes and all the silent groans that rend the inner parts of our secret being. Indeed, we read in this precious verse that He has collected every single teardrop that has wet our lashes and recorded every single silent groan of our hurting heart, and He has placed each single tear in His bottle of remembrance and recorded each hurt in His book, because of His great love for each of His own . . . Remember, He has scheduled every day of our lives and knows the tears that will result from the afflictions of His people. Our times are in His Hands and we have a God who knows and loves and cares for everything that causes His children pain. Not even in these times of deep sadness and distress, we can, like Our Savior, gain a closer intimacy with our Father through the things that we suffer in obedience to His Will.

Verse Four

“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.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Dailyverse.knowing-Jesus.com: There cannot be a clearer picture of what takes place when the trumpet call of God blasts out at the end of the Church age. The Lord Jesus Himself will come down from heaven with a loud word of command. There will be an archangel’s voice and the trumpet call of God . . . Let us occupy in the work that God has prepared for us to do and encourage one another as we see the day getting closer. But let us also remain alert and ready for that wonderful day when the trump of God sounds, and we are taken as He promised, to be with the Lord forever.

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: The manner in which Jesus will gather us to Himself is impressive. But the main point is that whatever the state of the Christians (dead or alive) at the Lord’s coming, they will always be with the Lord. This is the great reward of heaven – to be with Jesus. Death can’t break our unity with Jesus or with other Christians.

This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became famous in the 1924 Olympics for refusing to run on the Sabbath. He later became a missionary in China and was imprisoned during World War II. He is said to have taught this hymn to others in the prison camp where he died.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

Collegeoftheopenbible.com

Broadcast-portal.lds.org

Umcdiscipleship.org, C. Michael Hawn

Thetabernaclechoir.org

By His Grace . . .