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Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.
Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.
Still, still with Thee, as to each newborn morning,
A fresh and solemn splendor still is given,
So does this blessèd consciousness, awaking,
Breathe each day nearness unto Thee and Heaven.
So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,
When the soul waketh and life’s shadows flee;
O in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,
Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee.
Harriet B. Stowe, the author of this hymn, rose each morning at 4:30 to meet with her Lord before the day began. She enjoyed watching the sunrise, listening to the birds, and sensing the all-encompassing presence of God. She was meditating on Psalm 139:17-18, one day, and was inspired to write this beautiful piece of hymn.
“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
The tune is by Felix Mendelssohn called Consolation. A very peaceful piece that in my opinion really captures and represents the lyrics of the hymns. It’s as if it’s consoling us that even in this fallen, sinful world, we will always be able to see the beauty and awesome creation of Our Maker. And even more, that no matter how ugly the world has become, it is still upheld by Our Creator’s hand. And most of all even when all that fails, we may only be comforted by the fact that we are still with Him.
This tune is usually used as the quiet time tune before church service starts in my church in Singapore. I love the tranquility that it brings, the moment of solemnness when each and everyone of the congregation keep still and prepare their hearts for their Lord. Really a tune that reminds us that He is still with us and will always be with us.
I actually wrote my comment about this hymn before elsewhere, but I think since I miss this hymn so much, and it really describes what I am experiencing right now, I guess it’s just appropriate that I post this here. Anyway, comparing the experience almost 2 years ago and now, I think the hymns has more impact for me now. Probably even more in the future (:
Life has not been smooth and straight. That’s just how it is supposed to be, else how can we ever learn to live? But I am glad, that in whatever circumstances, whether I am healthy or terribly sick, whether I am joyful or in sorrow, and when all else in the world fails, there is One that never changes.
Thank be to God
