Читать книгу Best Loved Hymns and Readings - Martin Manser - Страница 17

Katharina Amalia von Schlegel was the canoness of a women’s seminary in post-Reformation Germany and a leading figure in the Pietist movement. This hymn became a great favourite among English speakers after being translated by Jane Laurie Borthwick (1813-97), a dedicated member of the Free Church of Scotland. It owes much of its success to its setting to Sibelius’ music Finlandia.

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 blessed we shall meet at last.

Katharina Amalia von Schlegel (1697-1768)