Music & HymnsChildren Of The Heavenly Father

"Great is the love the Father has lavished on us…children of God." 1 John 3:1

Words: Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg, 1858; translated from Swedish to English by Ernst William Olson, 1925.

Music: "Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara" (No One Can Be Safer), Swedish melody, arranged by Oskar Ahnfelt (1813-1882)

Shortly before writing this hymn, Lina Sandell and her father were on a boat trip when he fell overboard and drowned before her eyes. It is thought this tragedy gave birth to the lyrics.

Children of the heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge ever was given.

God 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 them.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children never forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His every blessing
And His help in woes distressing.

Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Every foeman must surrender.

Hymns supplied through the gracious generosity of the Cyber Hymnal Website