Essays
His Song In The Night
HIS SONG IN THE NIGHT
As with Israel in ancient days, the church of our day continues to turn to songs in times of trouble. ONE CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF GOD MADE US THIS WAY. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are delightful instruments that minister to us all hours of the day and night. They speak to us (Eph.5:19), instructing and admonishing us (Col.3:16). In researching the origin of that cherished hymn, Be With Me, Lord, I was amazed to discover that the melody of that song came to L. O. Sanderson (a faithful brother in Christ) in the wee hours of the night. He noted that “it came to him" about two o’clock on a Tuesday morning. Incredible as it may sound, T. O. Chishom, a dear friend who often collaborated with Sanderson in providing the words to his melodies, wrote him days later revealing that words of a poem/song came to him - - shortly after the midnight hour on that same Tuesday morning. It is a truly incredible account of the birth of perhaps one of the greatest songs in the history of our fellowship. Dr. Ken Davis, who chaired the music department at Harding University for many years, opined that Be With Me, Lord, was L. O. Sanderson’s best hymn and also the best ever written from those associated with the restoration movement.
The sacred psalms come to us from many sources. David wrote 74 and Asaph wrote twelve (Ps.50 and Ps.73-83). The sons of Korah also authored eleven (Ps.42, 44-49, 84-85 and 87-88). King Solomon wrote two (Ps.72 and Ps.127); Moses wrote one (Ps.90); and Ethan wrote one (Ps.89). Several other psalms remain anonymous. Of the many psalms written by the sons of Korah, one has become near and dear to us: Psalm 42 - As The Deer - song #71 in our current hymnal. I can't sing this hymn without thinking about our dear brother Burdette Stewart - - how he loved this psalm!! I’m referencing this particular song because there’s a line in this psalm that states: The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night (Ps.42:8). The “His” refers to HIM - - The Lord.
Have you ever considered how thoughts we focus upon throughout the day might also work to nourish our mind in the night. Being neither a sleep specialist nor a psychologist, I don’t claim to comprehend the world of REM sleep, but I find it assuring to ponder this possibility: what we spiritually feed on throughout the day will continue to feed us during the night. Let’s put this to the test. Let’s fill our waking hours with scripture-filled songs like: Be Still, My Soul and Be With Me, Lord and Be Thou My Vision and let us see if this will help us sleep more peacefully.
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things (Philp.4:8).
Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ
