Sarah Flower Adams' (1805-1848) pastor asked her and her sister to help him prepare a hymnal, and the two responded eagerly, writing thirteen texts and sixty-two new tunes! As the sisters were completing their work, their pastor mentioned he was planning a sermon on Jacob's dream of a ladder ascending to heaven and he needed an appropriate hymn. Adams soon completed the five stanzas of "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Her own life was a difficult one which included many losses, not the least of which was her own mother who died when Sarah was only five years old. She learned, as we have learned, that our steps along life's path, even those steps which are difficult or painful or filled with loss, only draw us nearer to God as He carries us through such times, also ministering to us with His holy angels who strengthen us in our weakness. "For are they [angels] not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:16)
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
2. Though like a wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
3. There let the way appear steps unto heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
5. Or if on joyful wing, cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.
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