Be Still My Soul

The text to this hymn was written by Katharina von Schlegel, a woman about whom little is know.  She probably dedicated herself to a religious life in the Protestant equivalent of a convent setting.  One fact is certain: she knew her scriptures well, both the Old and the New Testaments.  In her hymn, she wove together in a creative and remarkable way a whole series of scriptural themes and references to biblical events.

The opening line of the hymn was suggested by Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."

"Bear thy cross of grief or pain" of course refers to the Savior's journey to Calvary, when he bore his cross. (See John 19:17)

"Leave to thy God to order and provide" reflects the spirit of many scriptures, including Psalm 37:7: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him."

"All now mysterious shall be bright at last" relates to many biblical passages (1 Corinthians 2: 7-16 is just one example) and also to Latter-day Saint scriptures such as 1 Nephi 10:19: "The mysteries of God shall be unfolded to them, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

"The waves and winds still know/His voice" recalls the story of Jesus stilling the waves on Galilee.  (Matthew 8:23-27)

The spirit of the entire third verse may be compared with such scriptures as 1 Thess. 4:17: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air."

The tune is written by Jean Sibelius.

(Karen Lynn Davidson)

I loved singing with you ladies yesterday, the feeling, the music, the spirit still lingers in my soul.

Our book for next month is Dead Wake by Erik Larson.  The book for April will be The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.  Our next lunch will be in Diane's home on March 30th at 12:30.