Be Still, My Soul
124

Text: Katharina von Schlegel (b. 1697);
translated by Jane Borthwick (1813–1897)
Music: Jean Sibelius (1865–1957)
Tune name: FINLANDIA

This hymn that frankly acknowledges the presence of grief and pain in our lives is a welcome addition to the 1985 Latter- day Saint hymnal. Because we know that we agreed to undergo a period of testing, to come to an earth where trials and misfortune were almost certain to be a part of our experience, we can overcome temporary discouragement and look to a future of “purest joys restored” with the same serenity as did the writer of this hymn almost four hundred years ago.

Katharina von Schlegel is a woman about whom little is known. She probably dedicated herself to a religious life in the Protestant equivalent of a convent setting. One fact is certain: she knew her scriptures well, both the Old and the New Testaments. In her hymn, she wove together in a creative and remarkable way a whole series of scriptural themes and references to biblical events.

The opening line of the hymn was suggested by Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

“Bear thy cross of grief or pain” of course refers to the Savior’s journey to Calvary, when he bore his cross (see John 19:17).

“Leave to thy God to order and provide” reflects the spirit of many scriptures, including Psalm 37:7: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.”

“All now mysterious shall be bright at last” relates to many biblical passages (1 Corinthians 2:7–16 is just one example) and also to Latter- day Saint scriptures such as 1 Nephi 10:19: “The mysteries of God shall be unfolded to them, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”

“The waves and winds still know / His voice” recalls the story of Jesus stilling the waves on Galilee (see Matthew 8:23–27).

The spirit of the entire third verse may be compared with such scriptures as 1 Thessalonians 4:17: “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.”

The tune, FINLANDIA, is named for the tone poem by Sibelius from which the melody is taken. “Finlandia” is familiar to many Latter- day Saints particularly because it has been performed and recorded many times by the Tabernacle Choir. The Choir’s 1996 release, Around the World: A Musical Journey of Best-Loved Favorites, includes a performance of “Finlandia.”