The Quick Story Of The Hymn: Nearer My God to Thee
The Hymn Nearer My God to Thee
“Nearer, My God, to Thee” is a Christian hymn with lyrics that express a heartfelt desire for a closer and more intimate relationship with God.
This cherished hymn is renowned for its poignant lyrics and soul-stirring melody.
Its verses beautifully convey the singer’s yearning for a deeper connection with God, a longing to feel His presence in a tangible way.
Through its words, the hymn becomes a heartfelt plea for God’s guidance, support, and solace, particularly in moments of hardship and despondency.
The title, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” encapsulates this central theme.
The music itself is a serene and contemplative melody that complements the introspective and reverent nature of the lyrics.
It is typically performed at a slow tempo, creating a reflective and meditative atmosphere.
For over a hundred years, the hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” has resonated with people around the world.
Its profound message has transcended language barriers, with translations available in numerous tongues.
The hymn continues to be cherished by various Christian denominations and is frequently sung at church services, funerals, and other religious gatherings.
In fact, hymnology students consider this hymn to be the finest ever written by a female composer.
Who Wrote the Hymn Nearer My God to Thee?
The hymn ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’ was written by English poet and hymnwriter Sarah Flower Adams.
It was first published in 1841 and has since become a widely recognized and beloved hymn in Christian worship.
The hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” recounts the narrative of Jacob‘s dream as described in Genesis 28:11–12.
It conveys that every life experience, whether positive or negative, has the potential to bring us closer to God, who offers us solace and fortitude.
The Life of Sarah Flower Adams
Sarah Fuller Flower Adams (1805–1848) was an English poet and hymnwriter. She was born on February 22, 1805, in Old Harlow, Essex, England. Sarah Fuller Flower was the younger daughter of Benjamin Flower, a radical editor, and Eliza Gould.
She lost her mother at just five years old, and her father, a liberal thinker, took an active role in raising her and her sister.
They all contributed to Unitarian Minister William Johnson Fox’s periodical, the Monthly Repository.
Later, her father passed away around 1825, and Sarah and her sister became members of the Fox household. They lived with Fox and pursued literary endeavors.
In 1834, she married William Bridges Adams, a polemicist and railway engineer. They established their home in Loughton, Essex.
Despite her marriage, Sarah continued her literary pursuits and her hymnwriting.
Sarah Fuller Flower Adams became a prominent figure in the Unitarian community of her time.
She was known not only for her hymnwriting but also for her contributions to literature and her advocacy for equal treatment of women and the working class.
She published several works, including a catechism for children titled “The Flock at the Fountain” in 1845.
Sarah was particularly known for her hymns, some of which were included in the chapel service.
Among these, her best-known hymn, “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” has become a beloved piece of Christian worship.
The hymn has gained significant popularity and remains a cherished piece of Christian worship to this day.
Unfortunately, while tending to her sister, Eliza Flower, Sarah also contracted tuberculosis.
Eliza passed away in 1846, and two years later, Sarah joined her. On August 14, 1848, at the age of 43, Sarah succumbed to the illness in London.
Read more about Sarah Fuller Flower Adams here!
The Story Behind the Hymn Nearer My God to Thee
Together with her husband and sister Eliza, Mrs. Sarah Adams was a member of the Unitarian South Place Chapel in Finsburg, a suburb of London.
In 1841, an important event unfolded when the Rev. William Johnson Fox paid Mrs. Sarah Adams a pastoral visit.
He was the minister of London’s South Place Unitarian Church. During their conversation, Rev. Fox expressed his pastoral challenge: finding a hymn that perfectly aligned with the theme of his upcoming Sunday sermon based on the account of “Jacob at Bethel in Genesis 28:20–22.”
Sarah’s elder sister, Eliza, was quick to encourage her. She suggested that Sarah write a hymn about Jacob’s dream herself.
Eliza even proposed that while Sarah provided the words, she would compose the music.
Taking this suggestion to heart, Sarah diligently studied the Bible account.
The lyrics of the poem sprang forth from her contemplation of Jacob’s night vision in the desert as he fled from his home and brother Esau.
In the Bible, after Jacob’s dream of a ladder reaching to heaven and seeing ascending and descending angels, Jacob named the place ‘Bethel’—’The House of God.’
This account profoundly moved Sarah. She spent the rest of the week envisioning Jacob, asleep on a stone pillow, as he dreamed.
With this divine inspiration derived from the Bible passage, Sarah penned the lyrics of the hymn, titled “Nearer, My God, to Thee.”
The following Sunday, the congregation sang her creation for the first time.
Later in 1841, the hymn was published with the original tune composed by Eliza Flower in Fox’s compilation of Hymns and Anthems.
The Lyrics of the Hymn
1. Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee! 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 the 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! Click Here for The Full Lyrics
The author initially composed the hymn with five stanzas. But Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. later added a sixth verse to the hymn, which reads as follows:
6. There in my Father's home, safe and at rest, There in my Saviour's love, perfectly blest; Age after age to be, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee!
What Is the Meaning of the Hymn Nearer My God to Thee?
The hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” conveys a deep longing for a closer, more intimate relationship with God.
It reflects a profound sense of spiritual yearning and a desire to feel God’s presence, even in the face of challenges and adversity.
The first stanza expresses a willingness to draw nearer to God, even if it means facing difficulties or bearing a metaphorical cross.
The singer’s devotion is unwavering, and their song is a continuous plea to be closer to the Divine.
The second stanza acknowledges moments of darkness and difficulty in life, comparing them to a wanderer in the night.
Despite these challenges, the singer still dreams of being nearer to God, finding solace and strength in that closeness.
The third stanza introduces the idea of a path leading to heaven, indicating a hope for divine guidance and intervention.
The singer trusts that everything sent by God is an act of mercy, and they envision angels beckoning them closer to the Divine.
The fourth stanza speaks of finding praise and gratitude in one’s thoughts, even amidst sorrow and hardships.
It references the biblical place Bethel, where Jacob had a significant spiritual experience, suggesting that even in moments of grief, the singer will find a way to raise their spirit toward God.
The fifth stanza imagines a scenario of transcendent joy, where earthly concerns like the sun, moon, and stars are forgotten as the singer soars upward.
In this moment, the singer’s song remains a continuous expression of the desire to be closer to God.
Overall, the hymn’s meaning lies in its profound expression of a yearning for spiritual closeness and an unwavering devotion to God, regardless of life’s challenges or circumstances.
It is a testament to the enduring human desire for a deeper connection with the divine.
The Tunes to the Hymn
This hymn, “Nearer, my God, to thee,” initially found its musical setting through Adams’s sister, the accomplished composer Eliza Flower.
It was included in William Johnson Fox’s compilation, Hymns and Anthems.
“In the United Kingdom, the hymn is typically linked with the 1861 hymn tune “Horbury” by John Bacchus Dykes.
He named the tune after a village near Wakefield, England, where he had found “peace and comfort”.
In other parts of the world, the hymn is commonly sung to the tune ‘Bethany,’ composed by Lowell Mason in 1856.”
It’s worth noting that the well-known tune (Bethany) commonly associated with these lyrics in this country was specially composed as a new musical arrangement for this text in 1856 by Lowell Mason (1792–1872).
This rendition made its first appearance in the 1859 Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, which was edited by Edward A. Park and Austin Phelps in Andover, MA.
However, the British Methodists have a preference for the tune “Propior Deo” (Nearer to God), composed by Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan) in 1872.
This tune, while not as widely recognized, holds its own significance.
Additionally, Sullivan wrote a second setting of the hymn to a tune known as “St. Edmund”. It’s also worth mentioning that Mason’s tune has found its place in the British repertoire.
Final Note
The hymn “Nearer, My God, to Thee” expresses a deep longing for a closer and more intimate relationship with God.
It conveys the desire to draw near to God’s presence, seeking solace, comfort, and guidance.
The lyrics convey the idea of finding refuge and peace in God, especially in times of trouble or distress.
The hymn emphasizes the belief that drawing nearer to God brings a sense of closeness and connection that provides strength and assurance.
The hymn also reflects a sense of trust and reliance on God’s providence. It acknowledges human frailty and the need for divine support.
The hymn’s popularity and enduring relevance lie in its universal message of finding comfort, strength, and spiritual closeness in times of both joy and adversity.
It resonates with people across cultures and generations, making it a cherished piece of Christian worship.
The addition of the sixth verse by Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. further extends the hymn’s meaning, expressing a deepening of the spiritual connection over time.
Ultimately, “Nearer, My God, to Thee” is a timeless piece that continues to inspire and uplift believers in their faith journey.
Its message of drawing closer to God remains a source of solace and inspiration for countless individuals around the world.
Overall, it’s a heartfelt expression of one’s spiritual journey towards deeper communion with the Divine.
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