CHRISTIAN LIFE >> FAITH & TRUST
SDAH 513
In heavenly love abiding, No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me, And can I be dismayed?
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: In Heavenly Love Abiding
First published in Anna Laetitia Waring’s Hymns and Meditations(1850) under the title “Safety in God,” this hymn draws its gentle confidence from Psalm 23, especially the promise, “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Waring, born in Wales in 1823 and raised a Quaker, became a devoted student of Hebrew so she could read the Old Testament in its original language. After joining the Church of England, she spent much of her later life in Bristol, where she served faithfully with the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society, personally visiting and encouraging inmates. Her hymns reflect quiet trust learned through Scripture and compassionate ministry. The tune NYLAND, arranged in 1927 by renowned Welsh musician David Evans, carries her text with serene beauty, reminding believers that God’s unfailing love surrounds us, guides us, and removes every fear.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This was the ninth hymn in the author’s Hymns and Meditations by A. L. W., 1850, titled “Safety in God” and headed “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Ps. 23:4). She based the hymn on the general tenor of Psalm 23.
Anna Laetita Waring was born April 19, 1823, at Neath, Glamorgan-shire, Wales, and brought up as a Quaker. Very early in life she began writing hymns, publishing the above volume of 19 at the age of 27. Later editions of the book brought the total to 39 hymns. In order to be able to read the Old Testament in the original, she diligently became a Hebrew scholar sacraments, she was baptized and joined the Church of England in 1842. Moving to Clifton in Bristol in later life, she was active in giving of her time and energy to the Discharge Prisoners’ Aid Society, herself visiting the prisoners at Bristol. She died in Bristol on May 10, 1910.
The Finnish tune NYLAND (see SDAH 67) was arranged in 1927 by David Evans (1874-1948; see Biographies), one if the most distinguished musicians in the history of Wales.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
In heavenly love abiding, No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me, And can I be dismayed?
2
Wherever He may guide me, No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, And I will walk with Him.
3
Green pastures are before me, Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, My path to life is free;
My Savior has my treasure, And He will walk with me.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) John 15:10; Ps 125:2 (b) Ps 23:1, 3 (c) Ps 23:2, 4
Author
Anna Waring (1823-1910)
Year Published
1850
Copyright
Music from the Revised Church Hymnary 1927 by permission of Oxford University Press.
Hymn Tune
NYLAND
Metrical Number
7.6.7.6.D.
Arranged
David Evans, 1927 (1874-1948)
Tune Source
Finnish Hymn
