At a time when astronauts are exploring the vast reaches of space, it is good for us to be reminded that God is the one who keeps it all going.

Catherine Arnott Cameron was born March 27, 1927, in Canada, but is now an American citizen. She is associate professor of social psychology at the University of La Verne, La Verne, California. According to her, “The hymn was written over a period of several months at a time when I was experiencing a new sense of direction, growth, and creativity in my life. I wrote it to go with the tune AUSTRIA, by Haydn” (see SDAH 423). It was first published in Contemporary Worship-1, 1969; several alterations were made before its inclusion in Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978.

This is one of the texts sent out by the committee to some 30 Seventh-day Adventist composers, with the request for an original tune. HENISEE was chosen for its modern sound, in keeping with the contemporary concerns of the poem. Regarding the writing of this tune the composer said, “The inspiration behind writing HENISEE came from the hymn ‘Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart’ (see SDAH 27). I wanted to write a tune that would be so inspirational that people would enjoy it and want to sing it often.” t RG Eurydice Valenis Osterman, born in 1950, is the daughter of the late Francis A. Osterman, one of the first graduates of the ministerial course at Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama.

Eurydice began formal music training at age 6, and during high school was active in playing for church and evangelistic meetings. At Andrews University she wrote songs for and accompanied a ladies trio and composed a major organ work for her senior recital. After graduating with a B.A. in 1972 and an M.A. in 1975, she taught music at Mount Vernon Academy, Mount Vernon, Ohio, and at Berean Elementary School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At this writing she is a teacher in the Music Department at Oakwood College, where she is conductor of the college choir. From Andrews University have come awards for her choral piece “Alleluia,” 1982, and for an arrangement of the spiritual “O What a Beautiful City,” 1983. She teaches and travels with the choir, and is in demand for lectures and workshops relating to church music.
She also arranged for SDAH the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me,” No. 624.

📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.