Hymns With A Message: SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

Sunday, June 29, 2014

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

Psalm 23 is certainly one of the best known and loved passages in the entire Bible. It is the first entire chapter that many memorize. It is often used at funerals where it ministers so meaningfully to wounded spirits. These tender words from David have been a source of comfort and encouragement to many over the centuries. For those who are God's children, this passage reminds us that He is our personal Shepherd who cares for us, watches over us, and preserves us. The Lord is my shepherd. What more could I ever want. The passage may also have been the basis for more more sacred music than any other scripture. This week's hymn choice is a good example of this. This popular paraphrase of Psalm 23 was actually co-authored in 1958 by two prominent Christian musicians, John W. Peterson (1921-2006) and Alfred B. Smith (1916-2001). We've shared before in this blog that Peterson was a songwriter who had a major influence on evangelical Christian music in the 1950s through the 1970s. He wrote over 1000 songs, and 35 cantatas. Smith is often called the dean of Gospel music,. He was a composer, Gospel soloist, song leader, lecturer, an authority on church music, recording artist and music publisher. Both have commented on the writing of this hymn. According to Peterson, "One day while improvising at the piano in my Montrose, PA studio, ALbert B. Smith, with whom I was associated at the time, walked in. For no particular reason that I can remember, we started to develop a new song. I would come up with a thought, then Al. In a short time "Surely Goodness and Mercy" was born. I had never worked with another writer in such a manner to compose a song. Later Al and I wrote two or three other numbers like that." Smith remembers more about the initial inspiration of the song and adds this humorous touch. "It was written after receiving a letter from one of the descendants of P.P. Bliss telling of Bliss' first country school teacher, Miss Murphy, whom he dearly loved. It told of her teaching the class. before they could read or write, to memorize the twenty third Psalm. When the part "Surely Goodness and Mercy" was reached, little Phillip thought it said, "Surely good Miss Murphy shall follow me all the days of my life". This little incidence focused our thoughts on the phrase which became the heart and title of the song." The hymn begins by reminding us that we were just pilgrims here, wandering in the night of sin, until Jesus, the kind Shepherd found us. It reminds us then, as David had written centuries before, of all the amazing things the Shepherd has done for us and how He will safely lead us, His sheep, to our eternal home. This week read or sing these words and reflect upon what Jesus has done for you and thank Him for being our Shepherd and caring for us all the days of our life. Through His goodness and mercy we will someday dwell with Him in His House forever. What an amazing prospect that is.

(1) A pilgrim was I and a-wand'ring,

In the cold night of sin I did roam.

When Jesus, the kind Shepherd, found me,

And now I am on my way home.