Joshua 1:9
Words by Lina Sandell Berg, 1832-1903
Music by Oscar Ahnfelt, 1813-1882
The waves of revival that swept the Scandinavian countries
during the latter half of the nineteenth century were
greatly influenced by the wealth of fine hymns which
flowed from the pen of Lina Sandell, born on October 3,
1832 at Froderyd, Sweden. She was a daughter of the pastor
of the parish church of that community. Being a frail
youngster, she usually preferred to spend her time in her
father's study rather than to join her comrades in play.
When she was twenty-six years of age, she accompanied her
father on a journey to Gothenburg, but tragedy occurred
before the destination was reached. The ship gave a sudden
lurch and Lina's father fell overboard and drowned before
the eyes of his devoted daughter.
Although she had written hymns prior to this tragic
experience, more songs began to flow out of her broken
heart which reflect a simple, child-like trust in Christ
and a deep sense of His abiding presence in her life.
The remarkable popularity attained by her hymns has been
due, to a large extent, to the simple but melodious music
written for them by such musicians as Oscar Ahnfelt. He
was known as a "spiritual troubadour" in his day. Not only
did he possess the gift of writing pleasing melodies that
caught the fancy of the Swedish people, but he also
traveled from place to place throughout the Scandinavian
countries singing these folk-like songs to the
accompaniment of his home-made ten-string guitar. Miss
Sandell once said, "Ahnfelt has sung my songs into the
hearts of the people."
Not only Ahnfelt, but also Jenny Lind, affectionately
known as the "Swedish Nightingale," used her sweet voice
in the singing of these heart-warming hymns. Though she
was internationally known for her formal concertizing, it
is said that she would sit with the common work-men at
their crude benches and sing these simple hymns about the
Savior she loved and served.
It is often true that whenever revival fires begin to
glow, there is Satanic opposition. The account is given
that at one time King Karl XV was petitioned to forbid
Ahnfelt's preaching and singing throughout Scandinavia.
The king called for Ahnfelt to appear before him. Being
considerably perturbed as to what he should sing to his
monarch, Ahnfelt requested Lina Sandell to write a special
hymn. She was equal to the occasion, and within a few days
the song was ready. With his guitar under his arm and the
new hymn in his pocket, Ahnfelt appeared at the palace and
sang these words:
Who is it that knocketh upon your heart's door in peaceful
eve? Who is it that brings to the wounded and sore the
balm that can heal and relieve? Your heart is still
restless, it findeth no peace in earth's pleasures; Your
soul is still yearning, it seeketh release to rise to the
heavenly treasures.
The king listened with moist eyes. When Ahnfelt had
finished, King Karl gripped him by the hand and exclaimed,
"You may sing as much as you desire in both of my
kingdoms."
The name of Andrew L. Skoog, the translator of this hymn,
was well-known to the immigrant Swedish community in
midwestern America in the late nineteenth and early
twentieth centuries. He was born in Sweden and moved to
St. Paul, Minnesota, at the age of twelve. He had only a
sixth grade education, yet he edited seven hymnals,
numerous works of the masters, and wrote a textbook on
theory. For the last fifty years of his life he was active
in the religious life of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area
where he was associated with the illustrious Pastor E.
August Skogsberg. The two men were frequently described as
the Swedish counterpart of the Moody and Sankey team.
Lina Sandell was married to a Stockholm merchant, C. O.
Berg, in 1867, but she continued to sign her hymns with
the initials "L. S." by which she was affectionately known
throughout Sweden. She has often been called the "Fanny
Crosby of Sweden" for her many fine contributions to
gospel hymnody.
Lina Sandell Berg is also the author of the beloved
Swedish hymn "More Secure Is No One Ever".
Quoted from "101 Hymn Stories" by Kenneth Osbeck. Kregel Publishers, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1982.
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