Feb 22, 2013
Facing Trials? Here’s Hope (“Be Still My Soul” worship video)
Hammered By A Trial
That was me, last night. Out of the blue — a zinger.
My heart sank, my peace vanished, my faith shrank.
So I bowed my head, asked my Father to help me, and then remembered this hymn I had recently stumbled upon.
I had bookmarked it on YouTube, so I clicked on the link, and listened.
Powerful
It was written by Katharina von Schlegel in the 1700’s. We know little about her background, except that the “von” in her name means she had aristocratic roots.
But the lyrics show that she knew God, she experienced trials, and she ate and drank Bible. The song is based on Psalm 46:10 —
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Here are some of the lines God used to encourage me —
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Trials often make me think God is against me. But because Jesus paid my debt, God is always and forever for me. Even right now in this trial.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Everything, even this trial, is ultimately ordered by God. He has promised to order everything in my life to bring me the all-satisfying joy of knowing Christ (2Cor 4:16-17), and to provide everything I need in the meantime (Phil 4:19).
When I thought about that, and trusted His ordering and providing, my heart strengthened.
Listen For Yourself
Here’s the video. Put everything else aside, ask for God to strengthen you, sing this hymn to yourself, and let me know what God does in your heart. (I include complete lyrics below.)
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmxvZ-MCxTk
The Lyrics
The video you just watched did not include all the verses. Here are the complete lyrics —
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.
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.
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.
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 blessèd we shall meet at last.
Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.
What Did God Do In Your Heart?
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And here are some related posts you might find helpful –
- Feeling Discouraged Or Hopeless?
- Asking Why? Here’s God’s Loving Purpose For Every Trial
- Does God Ordain Every Trial?
- Hold On To God’s Promises (4-min worship video)
Thank you for writing this! It really encouraged my heart. Also, thank you for adding some information on who it is by. That is interesting!!
Thank you again!!
Have a blessed week!!:)
You are so welcome, Anna — and I’m glad you found the background information helpful. Thanks for letting me know.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Love the little phrase “thy Jesus can repay from His own fullness all He takes away.
All we have and have lost has all been sovereignly ordained by God. What a glorious Father.
What a comfort that gives.
Great hymn.
I loved that line, too. Thanks for highlighting it.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Thank you for posting this Christian song; it’s good to hear and good for my heart and my soul…..I’ve forgetten my problems and have of peace of mind…..god bless
You are so welcome, Princess Edrose. I am glad this song strengthened your faith in Christ and brought you comfort.
thanks for the hymn it gave me courage to trust god and be patient whilst waiting for answered prayer requests. bless u steve.
So glad to hear it, Chrissy! Thank you for letting me know.
Steve
Thank you so much for this video post…don’t know if you know, but the video on your blog does not pop up when you click on it to view. However, I went to Youtube and found it. I have been very encouraged by a song called “Be Still” by Kari Jobe. It is similar to Katarina VonSchelgel’s hymn. Maybe you would be encouraged by it too. Also, a phrase that I believe Katarina said summarizes for me the struggle I face with fighting my fight for faith. It is: “Lord, I am willing to accept what You give, relinquish what You take and lack what You withhold.” I find that in one of those ways that God is trying to work in my life (giving, taking or not giving) I am actually not willing to accept what He has sovereignly decided to do in my life. In that very place is where I need to humble myself and with His enablement come to the place where I am willing to accept whatever He has decided to do. It is in that very place that I need to fight. Thank you so much for your articles. My husband and I have been much strengthened and encouraged by many of them. I have been going through a very difficult time and am thankful to God for your practical, easy to understand and true perspective. God bless you! Stacy
Hi Stacy,
Thanks for letting me know about the problem with the video. I replaced it with another video of the same song.
I am sorry to hear about the difficult time you have been going through, but I am encouraged to hear about how the Father is working in your heart.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller