Be Still My Soul

Sacred Songs / Hymns

Brief biography of hymn-writer Katharine von Schlegel and history of spiritual revival hymn "Be Still, My Soul" to the tune of tone poem 'Finlandia' by Jean Sibelius.

This old but popular revival hymn among Christians, "Be Still My Soul," is hymn written by Katharine von Schlegel (1697-c.1768), and translated into English by Jane L. Borthwick (1813-1897). The music was composed by Jean Sibelius, from his music 'Finlandia,' one of his best-known composition he is famous for.  The scripture reference of this hymn is found in 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."

Following centuries of stagnation in the Christian Church evangelism during the Middle Ages, congregational singing was discovered once again in the latter part of the 17th century when spiritual evangelism re-started with a movement known as the Pietistic revival in Germany. This movement was similar to the Puritan and Wesleyan movements in England.  

A pastor of a Lutheran Church in Berlin, Philipp Jacob Spener, was the leader of this German movement. He was not a hymn-writer himself but he greatly encouraged singing which provided immense revival in hymnody in Germany during that time.  The hymns from this movement were characterized with profound and rich Christian experience, genuine piety and faithfulness in the Scriptures.

The hymn-writer, Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel (born on October 22, 1697), was the outstanding figure of this spiritual revival. Little is known of her other than she was a Lutheran. It can also can be deduced from her surname that she was of aristocratic birth. She may have been a canoness of an evangelical women's seminary. Schlegel contributed a number of lyrics to a collection of spiritual songs published. Although she wrote many additional verses for this hymn, most hymnals use just three stanzas. She died about 1768.    

Be Still, My Soul was translated into English approximately 100 years after it was written by Jane L. Borthwick, a devoted religious and social worker in the Free Church of Scotland. She was born in Edinburgh on April 9, 1813, a noble supporter of home and foreign missions.

The music of Be Still, My Soul was taken from one of the movements of a tone poem of "Finlandia," composed in 1899 by Finland's best-known composer Jean Sibelius, whose music is characterized by a nationalistic spirit along with poetry, evoking his homelands majestic charm.    

 

Verse 1 of "Be Still, My Soul"

Be still, my soul – the Lord is on thy side!

Bear patiently the cross of grief and 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.

 

Lyrics and Music

CyberHymnal

  

Resource:

101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications (1982)

"Be Still, My Soul"
by Catharina von Schlegel, 1697-?
Translated by Jane Borthwick, 1813-1897

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Be still, my soul, though 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 sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

4. 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 blessed we shall meet at last.

Hymn #651
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 46:10
Author: Catharine Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, 1752, cento
Translated by: Jane Borthwick, 1855
Titled: "Stille, mein Wille"
Composer: Jean Sibelius, b. 1865, arr.
Tune: "Finlandia"

Video Credit:

YouTube: Be Still My Soul  (Seaandra79)

(c) September 29, 2009. Tel. Wayfarer Psalms. All rights reserved.