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.
Refrain:
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
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.
Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer, My God, To Thee Video
Nearer, My God, To Thee Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Nearer, My God, To Thee by Acapeldridge: A Deep Dive into the Hymn's Meaning and Biblical Accuracy
Introduction:
"Nearer, My God, To Thee" is a timeless hymn that has touched the hearts of believers for generations. Acapeldridge, a renowned a cappella group, has beautifully performed this hymn, adding a fresh and soul-stirring rendition to its rich history.
Main Key Messages of the Song:
Chronologically analyzing the lines of "Nearer, My God, To Thee," we can identify several key messages that the song conveys:
1. Drawing closer to God:
The repeated phrase "Nearer, my God, to Thee" emphasizes the desire to draw closer to God, to be in His presence, and to experience a deeper relationship with Him. It reflects the longing of the soul to be near the Almighty.
2. Trusting God in times of adversity:
The line "E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me" acknowledges that sometimes the path to drawing nearer to God may involve facing crosses or trials. Yet, even in the midst of adversity, the song encourages believers to trust in God and find solace in His presence.
3. Finding rest in God:
The verse "Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone" portrays a state of despair and weariness. However, it also highlights the hope of finding rest and solace in God, even in the darkest of times.
4. God's guidance and provision:
The verse "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" acknowledges God's guidance and provision along the journey of drawing nearer to Him. It suggests that God will provide the necessary steps and even send His angels to guide and lead believers closer to Him.
5. Worshiping God in all circumstances:
The line "Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise" encourages believers to worship God in all circumstances, whether in moments of joy or in times of grief. It emphasizes the power of worship as a means to draw closer to God.
6. Eternal bliss with God:
The final verse "There in my Father's home, safe and at rest, There in my Savior's love, perfectly blest; Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee" points towards the ultimate desire of believers to dwell in the presence of God eternally. It speaks of the hope of being in the loving embrace of the Father, finding rest, and experiencing perfect bliss with Him for all eternity.
Meaning and Inspiration:
The meaning of "Nearer, My God, To Thee" lies in its deep yearning for a closer relationship with God, even in the face of adversity. The song draws inspiration from the biblical story of Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:11-19, commonly known as Jacob's ladder. In this story, Jacob, while fleeing from his brother Esau, had a dream where he saw a stairway reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Jacob recognized it as a sacred place and named it Bethel, meaning "house of God." He acknowledged that God was present in that place and vowed to worship Him there.
The hymn's connection to Jacob's ladder is evident in the verse "There let the way appear, steps unto Heav'n." It portrays the journey of drawing nearer to God as ascending the steps of Jacob's ladder, with the ultimate goal of reaching the heavenly dwelling place of the Father.
Biblical Analysis:
To critically analyze the biblical accuracy of "Nearer, My God, To Thee," let us examine each key message and its alignment with biblical principles.
1. Drawing closer to God:
The desire to draw nearer to God is a biblical concept. James 4:8 encourages believers to "draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." Throughout the Bible, we find examples of individuals who sought to draw closer to God, such as King David in the Psalms.
2. Trusting God in times of adversity:
The acknowledgement of adversity and the call to trust in God aligns with numerous biblical teachings. Romans 8:28 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Additionally, Jesus Himself encourages trust in God during trials in John 16:33, saying, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
3. Finding rest in God:
The concept of finding rest in God is deeply rooted in the Bible. Psalm 62:1 declares, "Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him." Jesus also invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him in Matthew 11:28.
4. God's guidance and provision:
The idea of God's guidance and provision is a recurring theme in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises believers to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Psalm 91:11 further assures believers of God's provision through His angels, saying, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
5. Worshiping God in all circumstances:
The call to worship God in all circumstances is deeply biblical. The Psalms are filled with examples of worship amidst trials, sorrows, and joys. Psalm 34:1 encourages believers to praise God at all times, saying, "I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."
6. Eternal bliss with God:
The hope of eternal bliss with God is a central theme in Christianity. Jesus promises believers in John 14:2-3, "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Conclusion:
"Nearer, My God, To Thee" by Acapeldridge beautifully captures the deep yearning of the soul to draw nearer to God, even in the face of adversity. Its lyrics convey messages of trust, rest, guidance, worship, and the hope of eternal bliss with God. Through a biblical analysis, we can affirm that the key messages of the song are aligned with biblical principles and teachings. As believers, may we continually strive to draw nearer to God and find solace in His presence, knowing that He is always with us, guiding and providing for us on our journey.
