Hymn 651 - Be Still, My Soul

We continue in the season of Epiphany where the LORD reveals to sinners that Jesus is the Savior that God promised us and that we desperately need. This week we study the hymn "Be Still, My Soul" (Hymn 651 in The Lutheran Hymnal), written by Catharina von Schlegel in the eighteenth century. She wrote this as a poem that was later set to music, first to one melody and finally in 1927 was joined to the tune Finlandia, making a beautiful pair. This is the only hymn in our hymnal that was written by her.  

The hymn is based on Psalm 46:10-11: "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge." The hymn contemplates the troubles that we face in this world of sin and that Jesus calls His followers to "deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow" Him (Matthew 16:24). 

Even though we face many temptations, trials of faith, and loss, the hymnwriter directs our hearts and minds to the promises and power of our God and Savior. While this is not directly an Epiphany hymn, this is especially fitting in the Epiphany season. Jesus shows His power over sickness, nature, the demons, and even over death. Through all of this and more, Jesus is revealed to us as the true God and as the world's promised Savior. 

The final two verses comfort us in the loss of Christian loved ones, reminding us that Jesus has conquered death, once and for all. He "Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). With all these promises from our Savior Jesus, we can say: "Be still, my soul" trusting in Jesus who is with us and who is our Refuge and Strength!

Join us as we study this hymn which comforts us in the trouble and sorrow of this earthly life through the assurance of Jesus and His work for us!