The best hymnody leaves little else for comment. When a writer of music intended to lead the people of God into worship manages to assemble, meaningfully and memorably, the great truths in a way that brings the simple and the wise together into adoration, he has accomplished a very great thing.
Recently, at the Christian community that my wife and call home—Indianapolis’ Church at the Crossing—these words came into our mouths. What more can one say?
Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was givenGod His own doth tend and nourish
In His holy courts they flourish
From all evil things He spares them
In His mighty arms He bears themNeither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever
Unto them His grace He showeth
And their sorrows all He knowethThough He giveth or He taketh
God His children ne’er forsaketh
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holyLo their very hairs He numbers
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressingPraise the Lord in joyful numbers
Your Protector never slumbers
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foe man must surrender.Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given
Canter Bridge 
Greetings from Wordwise Hymns. Your blog on Lina Sandell’s lovely hymn caught my eye because I posted an article on it this morning. There’s a sense, however, in which I take issue with your “what more can be said” comment. I think I know what you mean, and I agree. However, the best of our hymns contain profound insights that cause is to think deeply, and maybe say a lot more! God bless.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for posting to Canter Bridge and for providing me with the opportunity to become acquainted with your fascinating work at Wordwise Hymns. I’ve enjoyed just now browsing the site.
You make an unrefutable point. The hymns often *start* conversations rather than merely, as I might have suggested, *ending* them.
As I read back through the post in question in the light of your comment, I see that I was not very clear. My point was the breathless sense of astonishment that often comes from hearing or singing a great hymn. Beyond that, however, I agree with you that ‘the best of our hymns contain profound insights that cause is to think deeply, and maybe say a lot more!’
Your own fine website is evidence of the same!
Thanks, again, Bob for reading and commenting on Canter Bridge.
David