Our Refuge and Hope

Sometimes it's easy to become discouraged when times are difficult. Economic troubles fill the news. The Presidential Campaign can be a source of anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Hurricanes and other natural disasters give evidence that "the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time." (Romans 8:22) Death & illness of loved ones cause heartache & pain.

A beautiful hymn written almost 300 years ago has been playing through my mind these past few days. In spite of its age, it is as relevant as the morning headlines. And interestingly enough, it was written in an effort to give the church more contemporary music to sing in its day!

Isaac Watts is often known as the "father of the English hymn." The church had been only singing slow & ponderous metrical versions of the Psalms. It was considered an insult to use any words other than direct scripture in praise to God. Isaac Watts was troubled by the condition of the congregational singing. He said "The singing of God's praise is the part of worship nearest heaven, but its performance among us is the worst on earth." Challenged to write something better, he began paraphrasing the Psalms in the language & style of the New Testament, and at the age of twenty-five he published a hymnbook titled The Psalms of David in the Language of the New Testament.

Additionally, those days were a time of great unrest. In 1714, England's Queen Anne was dying and she had no children to succeed her on the throne. Although her reign had brought new freedom and tolerance (Isaac's father had been imprisoned under the previous ruler but had been freed by Queen Anne), there was much anxiety and concern regarding who the new ruler would be and what that new regime would bring forth.

Isaac Watts wrote this hymn based on Psalm 90. God is not limited by time and earthly events and He will be our refuge.

SOURCE:
1. A Song for All Seasons: 25 Hymn Stories Honoring God, Home, and Country
by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications 2003
2. Amazing Grace: 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel, 2002
3. The Complete Book of Hymns: Inspiring Stories about 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale, 2006

What a timely message for today! As you listen to this hymn, really ponder the beautiful words below.

O GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

WORDS: Isaac Watts, 1719 (John Wesley changed the first lines from "Our God" to "O God" in 1738.)
MUSIC: William Croft, 1708

Be sure to visit Amy's for more songs for your Saturday!