This Still is My Father’s World!

(an adaptation of an article written for the Rooted Ministries Blog)

This hymn written over 100 years ago keeps being relevant to the times we live in. Published as a poem in 1901 after the death of its author The Rev. Maltbie Davenport Babcock, it was set to music in 1915 by Franklin L. Sheppard, a close friend of Babcock. It became a well-known hymn set to the tune of TERRA BEATA, adapted from a traditional English melody that Babcock learned from his mother. Interestingly the tune’s first 7 notes went on to be used in the theme song for the Lord of the Rings trilogy in more recent years. So, it’s not unfamiliar to this generation.

This is my Father’s world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres

This is my Father’s world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:

He shines in all that’s fair

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere

This is my Father’s world:

O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet

This is my Father’s world

The battle is not done

Jesus who died shall be satisfied

And earth and heaven be one

This is my Father’s world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let earth be glad!

Written as a reflection on Genesis 1:1, the lyrics are saturated with imagery that we find explicit in the Psalms and implied throughout scripture. The sovereignty of God is expressed here giving comfort to all who believe. It speaks of the justice of God giving hope to the anxious or sad. Apparently Maltbie (who wrote the poem) would tell his wife on departing for a long walk that he was going “to see his father’s world”.

A worldview based on God’s Word is one where hope replaces despair. It is one where justice is seen to be in God’s hands not ours. This is worthy of our attention and focus right now.

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