Lyrics:
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en
though it be a cross that raiseth me
Still
all my song would be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
Though
like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness
be over me, my rest a stone
Yet
in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
There
let the way appear steps unto heav'n
All
that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n
Angels
to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
Then
with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out
of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise
So
by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
Or
if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,
Sun,
moon, and stars forgot, upwards I fly,
Still
all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer,
my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
History:
Among
many, I found this short description of the hymn:
Sarah Flower Adams was a British actress who received praise for
her performance in an 1837 production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
After health problems disrupted her plans to continue with theater,
she found comfort in writing poems and hymns.
Her most notable hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came about
in 1841 when Adam’s pastor was looking for a hymn for the following
week’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, which is referred to by many as
“Jacob’s ladder,” or “Jacob’s dream.” Adams offered to
write the hymn and completed it within a week to go along with the
pastor’s sermon. The hymn was originally set to music written by
her sister, Eliza Flower, but another hymn-tune called “BETHANY,”
written by Lowell Mason in 1856, has become most widely recognized
and is most familiar to listeners today. (Source,
warning it is a Mormon site).
Performed
by Jean Watson
Nearer,
My God To Thee (youtube)
A
few thoughts
B1 The poem concerns Jacob and is written in Genesis
28:10-22.
B2 Jacob had problems with Esau, his brother, who wanted to kill him.
Jacob had been sent away from home to go to his relatives.
B3 He stopped at Bethel at night to sleep.
B4 He had a dream. God was giving Jacob a message, which was recorded
for us in Genesis 28:13-15.
B5 It was so life changing that Jacob made a vow (Genesis 28:20-22),
which he did fulfill (Genesis
35:7).
B6 Times may be sad, even heartbreaking, but God is aware and still
taking care of us. His promises are sure.
C1 John 16:33 NIV "I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the world."
C2 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all
comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive
from God.
C3 Matthew 28:20 NIV and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age."
C4 Luke 6:21 NIV Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be
satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
C5 James 1:12 NET Happy is the one who endures testing, because
when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life
that God promised to those who love him.
C6 Psalm 23:4 NET Even when I must walk through the darkest
valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your
staff reassure me.
C7 Luke 4:18 NKJV The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He
has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to
heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And
recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are
oppressed.
