Psalm 31:1-3
“In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me.”
William O. Cushing wrote the hymn “Hiding In Thee” way back in 1876. His wife had died at an early age and his own failing health had forced him to retire from being a successful pastor in the eastern United States.
Ira Sankey, who was an active musician with D. L. Moody, knew William Cushing and a little of the ordeals he had experienced. He sensed that God may use these ordeals in William’s life to write a hymn. He urged William to pray about it.
The result of crushing disappointment and personal pain was the hymn for this week. He wanted to write words for a hymn that would glorify the Lord in the midst of the trials of life. William Cushing experienced the raging storms of life, but he also knew that there was a Savior who offered a place to hide in safety.
It is worth noting that William Cushing had serious trouble with his vocal chords and could not sing aloud the songs he wrote. He could, however, sing and make melody in his heart to the Lord.
O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.Refrain:
Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.In the calm of the noontide, in sorrow’s lone hour,
In times when temptation casts o’er me its power;
In the tempests of life, on its wide, heaving sea,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.Refrain:
How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.Refrain:
To access Hiding In Thee, this week’s inspirational video from GloryScapes.com, please go to: http://www.gloryscapes.com/hidinginthee in your browser or click on the image below.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
- – - Pastor Cecil