We’ve been singing “Be still, my soul, the Lord is on your side” for the last three Sundays as we stream worship. Our original plan was only to sing it Sunday the 15
th
responding to Pastor Reggie’s sermon, Be Still and Know You Are Broken. However, it has become a very effective theme while we are dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak, especially the closing line “Be still, my soul: the waves and wind still know, God’s voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.”
The tune, Finlandia, comes down to us originally from Finland. Written by Jean Sibelius, it became a rallying cry of the Finnish people at the turn of the last century while Finland tried to throw off Russian oppression.
Because this is such a good tune, it has attracted use to sing other poems as well. For today I want to point out ELW #887:
This is my song, O God of all the nations;
a song of PEACE (my emphasis) for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is,
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
But other hearts in other lands are beating
With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
As we continue social distancing, we do well to remember other people in other countries are dealing with just as much, and more disruption than we are. Pray for the health care workers in Spain and Italy; they’re in a situation we are trying desperately to avoid in NYC. So, for today let this be our song, a song of peace for their land and for mine.
Tom Paulson,
Director of Music & Worship
