Milo

January 19

BE STILL, MY SOUL

Katharina von Schlegel, 1697–?

English Translation-Jane L. Borthwick, 1813–1897

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)

Spiritual revivals throughout history have always been accompanied by an outburst of new song. This was especially true of the 16th century reformation movement when, following centuries of dormancy during the Middle Ages, congregational singing was rediscovered. However, by the 17th century the church was once more cold and non-evangelistic.

Again God lit the fires of revival in the latter half of that century with a movement known as the Pietistic Revival in Germany, which was similar to the Puritan and Wesleyan movements in England.

The Pietistic movement also gave birth to many rich German hymns, one of which incorporates the contributions of three persons. Katharina von Schlegel was the outstanding woman of this revival movement. Little 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, we do know that she contributed a number of lyrics to a collection of spiritual songs published in 1752. Approximately 100 years after it was written, this hymn text was translated into English by Jane Borthwick, a scholar noted for her fine work in translating German texts. This hymn tune is an arrangement of one movement from Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia.” Sibelius was Finland’s best-known composer, and his music is generally characterized by a strong nationalistic fervor.

God has used the talents of these three individuals from different lands to provide His people with a hymn that teaches so well the biblical truth that we all need to relearn daily: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength … ” (Isaiah 40:31).

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 ev’ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul—thy best, thy heav’nly Friend thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 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.   

   For Today:

Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 30:15; 40:31; Hebrews 10:35

Determine to live by the truth that “the Lord is on thy side!” Remember that “All now mysterious shall be bright at last—”

January 18
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY
John W. Peterson, 1921–
Alfred B. Smith, 1916–
Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. (Psalm 69:16)
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as the “Prince of Preachers” of the 19th century, labored for more than 20 years on his unrivaled commentary of the Psalms, a seven-volume work entitled The Treasury of David. “Only those who have meditated profoundly upon the Psalms,” wrote Spurgeon, “can have any adequate conception of the wealth they contain.” Meditate on this comment that Mr. Spurgeon made about the 23rd Psalm, the basis of this hymn:
The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “my.” He does not say, “The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as his flock.” If He is a shepherd to no one else, He is a shepherd to me. He cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me. The words are in the present tense. Whatever be the believer’s position, he is even now under the pastoral care of Jehovah.
Two well-known names in the field of gospel music, John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith, collaborated in 1958 to write this popular paraphrase of Psalm 23. Mr. Smith recalls the humorous touch that provided the initial inspiration for this song:
It was written after receiving a letter from one of the descendants of P. P. Bliss, telling of Bliss’s first country school teacher, Miss Murphy, whom he dearly loved. It told of her teaching the class (before they could read or write) to memorize the 23rd Psalm. When the part “surely goodness and mercy” was reached, little Philip thought it said, “surely good Miss Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life.” This little incident focused our thoughts on the phrase which became the heart and title of the song.
A pilgrim was I, and a wand’ring, in the cold night of sin I did roam, when Jesus the kind Shepherd found me, and now I am on my way home.
He restoreth my soul when I’m weary, He giveth me strength day by day; He leads me beside the still waters; He guards me each step of the way.
When I walk thru the dark lonesome valley, my Savior will walk with me there; and safely His great hand will lead me to the mansions He’s gone to prepare.
Chorus: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and I shall feast at the table spread for me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days, all the days of my life.

For Today:

Exodus 15:13; Psalm 16:11; 23; Revelation 19:9

Carry the truth of this musical message with you as you live in the joy and confidence of your heavenly Father’s love and care for you—

January 17

THE KING OF LOVE MY SHEPHERD IS

Henry W. Baker, 1821–1877

For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. (Psalm 95:7)

The beloved words of Psalm 23 have undoubtedly provided greater comfort and encouragement to God’s people through the years than any other portion of Scripture. In times of deep need, how eloquently these tender words from the psalmist David minister to our wounded spirits.

This psalm has also formed the textual basis for more sacred music than any other scriptural setting. But to many devout Christians the best-loved hymn based on Psalm 23 is this paraphrase by an English musician, Sir Henry Baker. In this text Baker skillfully combines thoughts of King David with lessons from the New Testament.

For example, the words from the third stanza are based on the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:5. The fourth stanza includes the phrase “Thy cross before to guide me.” Here the shepherd is identified as Christ by the inclusion of the cross symbolism.

Sir Henry William Baker is highly regarded by students of hymnody for his work as the editor-in-chief of one of the most monumental hymnals ever published, Hymns, Ancient and Modern, a book which sold more than 60 million copies after it was published in 1861.

See how these words can direct you again to the love of the Good Shepherd.

The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever. Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me. In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me;

Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me. Thou spread’st a table in my sight; Thine unction grace bestoweth; and O what transport of delight from Thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never: Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house for ever!  

    For Today:

Psalm 23; John 10:9; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 Peter 2:25

Take time to read and meditate again on the 23rd Psalm. Reflect on the tender love and care that an earthly shepherd has for his sheep. Relate this to your heavenly Shepherd’s guidance and care for your life. Let this musical message help you—

January 16

GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

William Cowper, 1731–1800

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments… (Romans 11:33)

Good when He gives, supremely good, nor less when He denies. Even crosses from His sovereign hand are blessings in disguise. —Unknown

The hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” has been acclaimed as one of the finest songs ever written on the theme of God’s providence. This label is made all the more amazing by the fact that the hymn text was written by an English poet who lived a lifetime of mental distress.

William Cowper’s emotional upsets included an 18-month stay in an insane asylum and later several attempted suicides. During his time in the asylum, Cowper began reading the Bible. At the age of 33 he had a genuine conversion experience.

Yet he was periodically haunted by deep depressions, voices, and visions, and the overwhelming thought that God had forsaken him and would doom him to hell. But between these times of mental melancholia, William Cowper was a gifted writer. Several of his secular works achieved great literary fame.

For nearly two decades he worked closely with John Newton in Olney, England, and eventually their combined talents produced the famous Olney Hymns hymnal. In this ambitious collection of 349 hymns, 67 were written by Cowper, including such favorites as “O For a Closer Walk With God” and “There Is a Fountain.” “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” was originally titled “Conflict: Light Shining Out Of Darkness.”

It is thought to be Cowper’s final hymn text and a reflection of God’s leading throughout his own lifetime. There is even speculation that it was written following a failed attempt at suicidal drowning.

Regardless of the original motivation for their writing, these words have since been used to bring much comfort to God’s people for nearly two centuries:

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His foot-steps in the sea and rides upon the storm. You fearful saints, fresh courage take:

The clouds you so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;

behind a frowning providence faith sees a smiling face. Blind unbelief is sure to err and scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

     For Today:

Proverbs 23:30; Matthew 11:25, 26; 2 Corinthians 1:9

Pause to thank God for the various and perhaps unusual ways He has directed your life to this very moment. Resolve to trust Him more fully in the days ahead. Sing this hymn as you remember that—

January 15

GOD LEADS US ALONG

Words and Music by George A. Young, 19th century You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And being with You, I desire nothing on earth. (Psalm 73:24, 25)

The more clearly we see the sovereignty of God and depend on His providential care, the less perplexed we will be by life’s calamities. He does not lead me year by year, nor even day by day; But step by step my path unfolds; my Lord directs the way. —Unknown

The author and composer of “God Leads Us Along” was an obscure preacher and carpenter who spent a lifetime humbly serving God in small rural areas. Often the salary was meager and life was difficult for his family.

Through it all, however, George Young and his wife never wavered in their loyalty to God and His service. The story is told that after much struggle and effort, the George Young family was finally able to move into their own small home, which they had built themselves.

Their joy seemed complete. But then, while Young was away holding meetings in another area, hoodlums who disliked the preacher’s gospel message set fire to the house, leaving nothing but a heap of ashes. It is thought that out of that tragic experience, George Young completed this hymn, which reaffirms so well the words of Job 35:10: “God my Maker, who gives songs in the night.”

The words of this hymn have since been a source of great comfort and encouragement to countless numbers of God’s people as they experienced the “night” times of their lives:

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along;

sometimes in the valley, in the darkest of night, God leads His dear children along. Tho sorrows befall us and Satan oppose, God leads His dear children along; thru grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along.

Chorus: Some thru the waters, some thru the flood, some thru the fire, but all thru the blood; some thru great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.    

  For Today:

Deuteronomy 1:30, 33; Joshua 3:4; Isaiah 58:11; Matthew 6:34

Determine for this day and for this new year to trust God more fully—regardless of the circumstances that may come your way. Sing this musical truth as a helpful reminder—