Alan Williams is the first in a new series of articles for this year:
I asked my daughter which hymn she liked best of all and she paused in her reading for a few seconds and answered, ‘In the Bleak Mid-Winter,’ and she seemed to return to her reading.
Perhaps half a minute later she said, ‘I like the tune but the words seem to draw me in - you know what I mean?’
‘What is your favourite hymn and why?’ seemed to be implied.
‘God be in my head,’ I answered.
Here is the hymn, which is usually sung to a very simple and beautiful tune by Walford Davies. The words are anonymous, and come from a Sarum Missal, of around 1558. I have added some of my thoughts:-
God be in my head,
And in my understanding. |
This is a plea, not a command |
God be in my eyes,
And in my looking. |
I recently had an eye operation and there is a possibility I may drive again.
I did pray during my surgery. |
God be in my mouth,
And in my speaking. |
True - I should have less to say. |
God be in my heart,
And in my thinking. |
This is a request for God to help me care more. |
God be at my end,
And at my departing. |
Are we ever ALONE?
The idea of being ALONE seems to be the height of suffering. Jesus said, ‘My God, my God - why hast thou forsaken me,’ for Jesus had to experience this feeling of being ALONE. |
Thank you, Alan, for sharing this with us. Have you got a favourite hymn you would like to write about? Please send your thoughts to someone on the Magazine Committee. |
