I contemplate myself blessed to be raised in church throughout a time after we sang the outdated hymns, one in all which was “He Hideth My Soul.” The deep theological which means of those superb songs helped lay a basis of religion for me.
With the recognition of CCM and the rise of recent worship songs, many aged hymns have been put aside or almost forgotten. Whereas I like new music and absolutely help singing God a brand new track, I do know that, on the similar time, historical past issues. The outdated hymns could use troublesome language, virtually international to us right this moment, however after we really interact with them, we will study a lot from older saints of the religion who lived in a separate time however adopted the identical God.
The hymn “He Hideth My Soul” speaks to the common expertise and wish of each believer. We will nonetheless study from this track right this moment.
What’s the Historical past of the Hymn “He Hideth My Soul”?
Frances Jane Crosby was born in New York in 1820. At simply six weeks outdated, she turned blind from medical malpractice, however her lack of sight didn’t maintain her from rising spiritually or writing about it. She turned one of the vital prolific hymn writers in historical past, composing greater than 8,000 hymns. Her blindness taught her to depend on God’s grace, and she or he poetically wrote about his love. A few of her most well-known hymns embrace “Blessed Assurance,” “To God Be the Glory,” and “Rescue the Perishing.” She might categorical deep theological truths in easy and accessible language, and this capability helped her hymns be embraced throughout many denominations.
In 1890, Fanny Crosby wrote “He Hideth My Soul,” which turned one in all her hottest hymns. Composer William J. Kirkpatrick set her lyrics to music. Kirkpatrick usually labored with Crosby. “He Hideth My Soul” attracts from Scripture and references God’s safety and salvation.
What are the Lyrics to “He Hideth My Soul”?
Take a while to learn and mirror on the theological richness and inspiring phrases of the hymn:
Verse 1:
An exquisite Savior is Jesus my Lord,
An exquisite Savior to me;
He hideth my soul within the cleft of the rock,
The place rivers of delight I see.Refrain:
He hideth my soul within the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life within the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.Verse 2:
An exquisite Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away;
He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me power as my day.(Refrain)
Verse 3:
With numberless blessings every second He crowns,
And crammed with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, “Oh, glory to God
For such a Redeemer as mine!”(Refrain)
Verse 4:
When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise
To fulfill Him in clouds of the sky,
His excellent salvation, His great love,
I am going to shout with the thousands and thousands on excessive.
What are the Key Themes of “He Hideth My Soul”?
The hymn’s central theme is God’s safety. Within the first verse and the refrain, Crosby writes, “He hideth my soul within the cleft of the rock,” a reference to Exodus 33 wherein Moses converses with God after confronting the Israelites about their disobedience. God guarantees to personally accompany Moses on the journey to the Promised Land. In response, Moses asks the Lord to point out him his glory. Nevertheless, if Moses seemed immediately at God, he would die. God hid Moses “within the cleft of a rock” and shielded Moses along with his hand so he wouldn’t die whereas Yahweh handed by.
Fanny Crosby used this second as a metaphor for a way God’s presence gives a protected shelter for his individuals, defending them from hazard. Psalm 91 talks about dwelling “within the shelter of the Most Excessive” and resting “within the shadow of the Almighty.” The psalm continues with the surety of deliverance from assault. “He’ll cowl you along with his feathers, and below his wings you’ll discover refuge; his faithfulness will probably be your defend and rampart.” The theme of safety continues by the hymn’s refrain, together with being hid within the cleft of the rock and God masking his individuals along with his hand.
A second main theme is God’s grace. Crosby writes how “He taketh my burden away” and “He giveth me power as my day,” underscoring God’s energy to maintain the believer’s life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul information how God informed him, “My grace is enough for you, for my energy is made excellent in weak point.” Jesus followers discover forgiveness, grace, and power in relationship with the Father by the Son by the Spirit. The hymn’s third verse continues this theme, the place the soul is “crammed along with his fullness divine, mirroring Paul’s writing in Ephesians 3:19, talking of being crammed with “all of the fullness of God.” The believer doesn’t face life’s challenges alone however is consistently strengthened and renewed by God.
Lastly, Crosby weaves the theme of refuge all through the hymn. She writes how Christ is the disciple’s solely supply of security and salvation. Within the final verse, she seems to be ahead to the long run hope of assembly Christ within the sky and shouting for pleasure in his “excellent salvation.”
How Does the Hymn Mirror Belief in God?
Christians can belief in God’s safety, and “He Hideth My Soul” encourages believers to lean on God’s presence, particularly in occasions of hassle. Simply as God hid Moses within the rock and shielded him along with his hand, Crosby describes how a believer is secured by God and shielded from any threats that will come up. As David declares in Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” Referring to this psalm, when God hides believers within the rock, it’s himself. He hides us inside his particular person.
The New Testomony writers additionally emphasize how believers are hidden in Christ. By way of being “in Christ,” Christians are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ephesians 1:3 reminds Jesus’ followers they’re blessed with each religious blessing within the heavenly realms by unity with Christ.
The hymn makes use of the imagery from Exodus 33, the place God additionally shelters along with his hand. God not solely hides believers inside himself (Christ) but in addition covers and shelters them along with his hand. This lively picture suggests one thing private. God isn’t distant however current and shut, guiding his individuals as they stroll by life.
With this in thoughts, believers can belief God’s presence and safety in attempting occasions. God’s presence turns into a safe hiding place for many who search him. Hidden in God and along with his lively steering and safety, believers can relaxation assured and belief his safety. Because the Bible additionally says, no weapon shaped towards God’s individuals will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Within the second verse, Crosby writes, “He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,” expressing her confidence in God to maintain. In Isaiah 41:10, God additionally assures Judah, “Don’t worry, for I’m with you; don’t be dismayed, for I’m your God. I’ll strengthen and show you how to; I’ll uphold you with my righteous proper hand.”
Christians can belief the omnipotent and all-loving God to meet his promise to guard his individuals.
Why is “He Hideth My Soul” Fashionable in Christian Worship?
Everybody has troublesome occasions of their lives. Whether or not grief, trials, or outright persecution, it turns into troublesome to endure in religion throughout onerous seasons. The Bible isn’t silent about this. Even Jesus promised how hassle would come for many who observe him, however he has already overcome the world (John 16:33). And he stated this earlier than his demise and resurrection! Fanny Crosby’s hymn touches on these common themes, and due to this fact individuals proceed to return to it in Christian worship. From the outset, Crosby factors the believer to Christ’s safety. God’s individuals discover encouragement and peace singing the track.
The hymn additionally emphasizes God’s faithfulness and presence. Throughout troublesome occasions, individuals can really feel that God is distant or absent. They even really feel deserted. The themes of this hymn remind believers that God’s presence is at all times close to and that he’s trustworthy. Folks want this message in occasions of uncertainty, oppression, sickness, or the demise of a liked one. The hymn brings our focus the place it belongs: God’s faithfulness. “You’ll maintain in excellent peace these whose minds are steadfast, as a result of they belief I you” (Isaiah 26:3).
“He Hideth My Soul” has been broadly adopted in numerous church settings, from being included in conventional hymnals to extra intimate devotional moments. The singable melody resonates with individuals and provides to the attraction. In private devotion, Christians use the lyrics throughout occasions of prayer or meditation. The hymn helps individuals nonetheless their hearts and search God’s peace and presence. The hymn’s promise of shelter can be utilized with scriptures like Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and power, an ever current assist in hassle.”
What Can Christians Be taught from “He Hideth My Soul”?
“He Hideth My Soul” gives us worthwhile classes right this moment. By way of its superb lyrics and {powerful} music, the hymn factors us to God’s faithfulness and safety. We will look by biblical examples to assist study these classes.
Once we really feel threatened, we expertise worry. And the three pure reactions to worry are flight, battle, or freeze. But God gives a fourth selection, solely obtainable by him. “Be nonetheless and know I’m God.” (Psalm 46:10) By way of the facility of the Spirit, we will reject worry and select to cling to the Prince of Peace, trusting him to personally assist and defend us.
As one of many primary messages, “He Hideth My Soul” communicates how God turns into a refuge for these dealing with hardship. David usually sought refuge when fleeing from King Saul. In Psalm 57:1, David writes, “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy, for in you I take refuge. I’ll take refuge within the shadow of your wings till the catastrophe has handed.” Once we cope with onerous conditions, we frequently first hunt down worldly organizations or powers for assist. Nevertheless, solely God can save and assist, and we should rework our minds to run to Christ first. He has the knowledge to point out us one of the best path ahead, usually in methods we don’t count on.
One other instance is Daniel, who relied on God throughout his time within the lion’s den. Even in such hazard, Daniel trusted in God’s safety. Daniel 6:22 says, “My God despatched his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They haven’t harm me.” Simply as God shielded Daniel from hungry lions, we will take braveness throughout troublesome and harmful moments and discover peace, trusting God hasn’t modified. He’ll proceed to guard his individuals right this moment.
Troublesome trials additionally exhaust us. Even after we bear up below them and attempt to do what’s proper, we develop drained. Ache and stress put on us down. “He Hideth My Soul” reminds us that God offers us power in each state of affairs. As Isaiah 40:29 says, “He offers power to the weary and will increase the facility of the weak.” All of us really feel this weariness, and God particularly guarantees to help those that really feel weak. Paul tells us how God’s power was made full by the apostle’s weak point (2 Corinthians 12:9). Once we are weak, God reveals his power by us to beat and endure.
Crosby herself discovered power in her incapacity. Being blind, many would have anticipated much less from her. However with God as her assist, Crosby excelled in writing and expressing deep truths concerning the God she liked.
Peace.
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