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In Heavenly Love Abiding

In Heavenly Love Abiding

Words: Anna Laetitia Waring (b. Apr. 19, 1823; d. May 10, 1910)
Music: Seasons, by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (b. Feb. 3, 1809; d. Nov. 4, 1847)

Note: Anna Waring called this 1850 hymn “Safety in God.” It now takes the first line as a title. You can see more about the author on the Wordwise link below. The Cyber Hymnal offers no fewer than eight tunes for this fine hymn. I’m most familiar with Mendelssohn’s Seasons. An old 1865 hymnal concludes the hymn with a lovely and most fitting doxology (also using Mendelssohn’s tune).

To Thee be praise forever, Thou glorious King of kings!
Thy wondrous love and favour each ransomed spirit sings:
We’ll celebrate Thy glory with all the saints above,
And shout the joyful story of Thy redeeming love.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

The original hymn was captioned by this verse:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Ps. 23:4

As mentioned in other posts, there are many hymns based on Psalm 23. This one is more of a devotional meditation on the psalm,  than a translation. It has much to recommend it.

In (1), the author speaks of abiding in the love of the Lord. This theme is addressed in Christ’s Upper Room Discourse. There we learn that the secret of “abiding” in fellowship with the Lord is a walk of obedience to His Word. Such a faithful walk nourishes a sense of contentment and peace, even when life’s storms assail us.

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

Jn. 15:9-10

(1) In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear;
And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me–and can I be dismayed?

(2) makes a more direct reference to the Shepherd-care of the Lord. He is beside us to guide us, and in His presence we are well provided for. We can have the confidence that He knows the way ahead, and we are safe if we stay close by the Shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”

Ps. 23:1-3

(2) Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waking, His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

In the Shepherd’s presence, and under His watchful eye, we are assured of rich spiritual nourishment, wise guidance, and strong protection. His tender care of the weak and helpless is a frequent theme of the Word of God (cf. Ps. 25:9; 73:24; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18).

Even in a wilderness, God is able to “prepare a table before [us]” (Ps. 23:5). Compare this assured declaration with the question of the unbelieving Israelites in Ps. 78:19, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” Unbelief says, “Can God?” Faith says, “God can!”

In times of trouble, consider the thoughts found in (3). There is grace to help us, “green pastures” to nourish us “which yet [we] have not seen.” Things may look barren and forbidding in the midst of trial, but the Lord’s mercy and grace are still available. “Darkest clouds” will be replace by “bright skies” in His own good time.

A transient valley of shade lies between two lofty hills, Mount Calvary (foreshadowed in Psalm 22), and the heavenly Mount Zion (foreshadowed in Psalm 24; cf. Heb. 12:22-23). But, in company with our all-sufficient risen Saviour, we need have no fear of the journey from the cross to the crown.

The line “My Saviour has my treasure” may refer to treasures in heaven being laid up for the believer (cf. Matt. 6:19-21; I Pet. 1:3-4), or it may simply be a poetic way of saying that the Lord Jesus has the heart’s devotion of the author.

(3) Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free.
My Saviour has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

Questions:

  1. What is the most comforting and encouraging thought for you in this hymn?
  2. What other hymns based on Psalm 23 do you know and love?

Links:

Today in 1864 – Emily Crawford Born

,

Emily May Grimes went to South Africa as a missionary in 1893. In 1904, she married Dr. T. W. W. Crawford of the Christian Missionary Society in Kikuyu, British East Africa. She has given us the hymn Speak, Lord, in the Stillness (also called The Quiet Hour). It was first published in 1920. (You can also read about the composer of the tune, Harold Green.)

Speak, Lord, in the stillness
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen,
In expectancy.

Speak, O blessèd Master,
In this quiet hour,
Let me see Thy face, Lord,
Feel Thy touch of power.

For the words Thou speakest,
“They are life” indeed;
Living Bread from heaven,
Now my spirit feed!

(2) Today in 1910 – Anna Waring Died

Likely the most familiar and beloved poetical passage in all the Bible is the Shepherd Psalm, Psalm 23. Not surprisingly, many hymn writers have made use of all or part of it, either in direct quotation, or paraphrase, or drawing upon its themes. Hymns such as He Leadeth Me, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, and Surely Goodness and Mercy are among them. One resource lists 39 songs based on the psalm, another lists 27.

A hymn from 1850, by Anna Laetitia Waring, provides a beautiful paraphrase, or devotional meditation on the 23rd Psalm. A paraphrase of Scripture restates the sense of a passage in other words, or expresses the meaning in another way. That is what we have with In Heavenly Love Abiding, which the author entitled “Safety in God.”

Anna Waring was born into a Quaker home in Wales, but at the age of 19 she joined the Church of England. In her youth, she mastered Hebrew, and made it a lifelong practice to read from Psalms in the original language each day. She published two books of hymns. Though reportedly shy and retiring, she had a great burden for those in prison. In addition to regularly visiting men and women behind bars in Bristol, England, she supported the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society.

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear.
And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waking, His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He’s taking, and I will walk with Him.

 From 1854 comes Anna Waring’s thoughtful song, My Heart Is Resting, O My God. It is a lengthy hymn (eleven stanzas). You can see the full text in the Cyber Hymnal, but here are three stanzas:

My heart is resting, O my God—
I will give thanks and sing;
My heart is at the secret source
Of every precious thing.
Now the frail vessel Thou hast made
No hand but Thine shall fill—
For the waters of the Earth have failed,
And I am thirsty still.

I thirst for springs of heavenly life,
And here all day they rise—
I seek the treasure of Thy love,
And close at hand it lies.
And a new song is in my mouth
To long loved music set—
Glory to Thee for all the grace
I have not tasted yet.

Glory to Thee for strength withheld,
For want and weakness known—
And the fear that sends me to Thy breast
For what is most my own.
I have a heritage of joy
That yet I must not see;
But the hand that bled to make it mine
Is keeping it for me.

(3) Today in 1952 – Arthur Patten Died

In 1920, American Congregational pastor and author, Arthur Bardwell Patten (1864-1952), gave us a hymn suited to Mother’s Day that parallels the older hymn, Faith of Our Fathers. (The tune St. Catherine is used for both.)

Faith of our mothers, living still
In cradle song and bedtime prayer;
In nursery lore and fireside love,
Thy presence still pervades the air:
Faith of our mothers, living faith!
We will be true to thee to death.

Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
Fount of our childhood’s trust and grace,
Oh, may thy consecration prove
Source of a finer, nobler race:
Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
For youthful longing, youthful doubt,
How blurred our vision, blind our way,
Thy providential care without:
Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

Today in 1864 – Emily Crawford Born

,

Emily May Grimes went to South Africa as a missionary in 1893. In 1904, she married Dr. T. W. W. Crawford of the Christian Missionary Society in Kikuyu, British East Africa. She has given us the hymn Speak, Lord, in the Stillness (also called The Quiet Hour). It was first published in 1920.

Speak, Lord, in the stillness
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen,
In expectancy.

Speak, O blessèd Master,
In this quiet hour,
Let me see Thy face, Lord,
Feel Thy touch of power.

For the words Thou speakest,
“They are life” indeed;
Living Bread from heaven,
Now my spirit feed!

(2) Today in 1910 – Anna Waring Died

Likely the most familiar and beloved poetical passage in all the Bible is the Shepherd Psalm, Psalm 23. Not surprisingly, many hymn writers have made use of all or part of it, either in direct quotation, or paraphrase, or drawing upon its themes. Hymns such as He Leadeth Me, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, and Surely Goodness and Mercy are among them. One resource lists 39 songs based on the psalm, another lists 27.

A hymn from 1850, by Anna Laetitia Waring, provides a beautiful paraphrase, or devotional meditation on the 23rd Psalm. A paraphrase of Scripture restates the sense of a passage in other words, or expresses the meaning in another way. That is what we have with In Heavenly Love Abiding, which the author entitled “Safety in God.”

Anna Waring was born into a Quaker home in Wales, but at the age of 19 she joined the Church of England. In her youth, she mastered Hebrew, and made it a lifelong practice to read from Psalms in the original language each day. She published two books of hymns. Though reportedly shy and retiring, she had a great burden for those in prison. In addition to regularly visiting men and women behind bars in Bristol, England, she supported the Discharged Prisoners Aid Society.

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear.
And safe in such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waking, His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He’s taking, and I will walk with Him.

 From 1854 comes Anna Waring’s thoughtful song, My Heart Is Resting, O My God. It is a lengthy hymn (eleven stanzas). You can see the full text in the Cyber Hymnal, but here are three stanzas:

My heart is resting, O my God—
I will give thanks and sing;
My heart is at the secret source
Of every precious thing.
Now the frail vessel Thou hast made
No hand but Thine shall fill—
For the waters of the Earth have failed,
And I am thirsty still.

I thirst for springs of heavenly life,
And here all day they rise—
I seek the treasure of Thy love,
And close at hand it lies.
And a new song is in my mouth
To long loved music set—
Glory to Thee for all the grace
I have not tasted yet.

Glory to Thee for strength withheld,
For want and weakness known—
And the fear that sends me to Thy breast
For what is most my own.
I have a heritage of joy
That yet I must not see;
But the hand that bled to make it mine
Is keeping it for me.

(3) Today in 1952 – Arthur Patten Died

In 1920, American Congregational pastor and author, Arthur Bardwell Patten (1864-1952), gave us a hymn suited to Mother’s Day that parallels the older hymn, Faith of Our Fathers. (The tune St. Catherine is used for both.)

Faith of our mothers, living still
In cradle song and bedtime prayer;
In nursery lore and fireside love,
Thy presence still pervades the air:
Faith of our mothers, living faith!
We will be true to thee to death.

Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
Fount of our childhood’s trust and grace,
Oh, may thy consecration prove
Source of a finer, nobler race:
Faith of our mothers, loving faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
For youthful longing, youthful doubt,
How blurred our vision, blind our way,
Thy providential care without:
Faith of our mothers, guiding faith,
We will be true to thee till death.

Alternate Hymn Tunes

,

Alternate hymn tunes can refresh old lyrics. Have you ever tried singing a hymn to a tune other than the one used in your hymn book? If this is done carefully–and not too often–it can have a useful purpose.

What do you do if a hymn is unfamiliar? By using an already familiar tune, you can enable your congregation to sing and enjoy the unfamiliar piece. Well-known hymns benefit also. The difference in phrasing provided by another melody can lead to a fresh look at the lyrics. Suddenly, the words will take on new significance.

If you try this a few times, you may also discover that many people “like” a particular hymn because of the tune. (Ask for “favourites,” and try singing one to a different tune and you will see!) While it is fine to enjoy the melody, that is not our first priority. The tune is like the frame of a picture. It does its job when it enhances the words and enables us to understand them better. If another tune will facilitate this, that is a good thing.

At the back of many hymn books is something called a “Metrical Index,” a listing of tunes according to the lines of poetry they will accommodate. It can be used to select a different tune for a particular set of words.

For now, here are several hymns with suggested tune changes for you to try as alternate hymn tunes. (Many tunes have their own names, and many hymn books list them for you.)

  • “How Firm a Foundation.” In most books, this great hymn is combined with a tune called “Foundation.” But try it to “Portuguese Hymn” (the tune used for “O Come, All Ye Faithful”).
  • “In Heavenly Love Abiding” is a paraphrase of the 23rd Psalm using the tune “Seasons.” Try using “Aurelia” (“The Church’s One Foundation”).
  • “O Jesus, I Have Promised” (tune: “Angel’s Story”) is another hymn that works well with “Aurelia” (“The Church’s One Foundation”).
  • “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” (tune unnamed) works extremely well with “Hyfrydol,” (“Jesus, what a Friend for sinners”). So much so that some newer books set it to the latter tune.
  • O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” uses “Passion Chorale.” If your congregation is not accustomed to Bach, you might try “Aurelia” for this too (“The Church’s One Foundation”).
  • “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Instead of the tune “Converse,” try “Holy Manna” (“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship”), or “Beecher,” (“Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling”), or “Blaenwern.” (The latter is a little trickier to find.)
  • “Arise, My Soul, Arise!” uses a fine tune (“Towner”) which is somewhat difficult to sing. Instead, you could try “Darwall” (“Rejoice, the Lord is King”).
  • “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” uses the tune “Morecambe.” Try it with the tune “Eventide” (“Abide with Me”).
  • “Jesus Loves Even Me” (tune unnamed) is worth trying to the tune “Slane” (“Be Thou My Vision”).
  • “And Can It Be” uses the tune “Sagina.” Try it to “Sweet Hour” (“Sweet Hour of Prayer”).
  • “Come Thou Almighty King” was originally sung to the tune for “God Save the Queen” (“God Save the King” in that day). It works well.