HUSHED WAS THE EVENING HYMN

HUSHED WAS THE EVENING HYMN – EMHB 848

Author: James Drummond Burns (1823-1864)

Tune: Samuel

Bible Reference: 1st Samuel 3 : 10

Introduction:

James Burns a Scottish man wrote this Hymn in 1857 at the age of 34, during a long bout of ill health. The Hymn is based on 1st Samuel 3:10 “Speak hard for thy servant heareth”. It is listed under ‘Hymns for Children’ in the Methodist Hymn Book. This is probably because the above verse referred to little Samuel that was called by God and was asked by his master Eli to respond to the calling by the words “Lord speak for Thy servant heareth”.

The writer, James Burns tried to capture this event in his imagination “Hushed was the evening hymn, the temple courts were dark the lamp was burning dim…… when suddenly a voice divine rang through the silence of the shrine”. He went on to ask God to give him Samuel’s ear so as to be able to hear when God calls. Samuel’s heart to be able to obey God. Samuel’s mind, resigned to God in life and earth and the ability to read with childlike eyes truth that are hidden from the wise.

James Burns wrote a few more Hymns especially during periods of ill-health and died in 1864 at the age of 41.

As we sing this Hymn, let us like Burns ask God to make us as receptive as Samuel to His call.

EMHB 848

1. Hushed was the evening hymn,
The temple courts were dark,
The lamp was burning dim
Before the sacred ark,
When suddenly a voice divine
Rang through the silence of the shrine.

2. The old man, meek and mild,
The priest of Israel, slept;
His watch the temple child,
The little Levite, kept:
And what from Eli’s sense was sealed
The Lord to Hannah’s son revealed.

3. O give me Samuel’s ear,
The open ear, O Lord,
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy word;
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.

4. O give me Samuel’s heart,
A lowly heart, that waits
Where in Thy house Thou art
Or watches at Thy gates
By day and night-a heart that still
Moves at the breathing of Thy will.

5. O give me Samuel’s mind,
A sweet unmurmuring faith,
Obedient and resigned
To Thee in life and death,
That I may read with childlike eyes
Truths that are hidden from the wise.

Adesegun Akitoye
http://www.repeatrichrelief.com