Children Of The Heavenly Father

I sang this song in Sunday School as a kid. It still stirs up the fondest memories of learning about God — about His goodness, strength, faithfulness and promises. I learned it then the same way I sing it here, using old sounding words — “doth” instead of “does”, etc. Do the old words make this song too out of date to still be useful? Please give it a sing-along listen, and come back. I’d like to offer reasons why the old language makes this song especially valuable to pass along to our kids.

How cool is modern?

It seems to come as a surprise to many young people that the world did not begin the day they were born. Especially among the young can we find the attitude that modern thinking is cool — but almost anything produced earlier must be dull and unsophisticated. What a handicap to live with such blinders!

Much of the best and wisest information available to us is contained in works written by people who left this life a long time ago. Tom Lehrer, writer/singer of political satire songs popular in the 1960’s commented, “It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age he had been dead for three years.” (For more from Mr. Lehrer, here is a video he did on “the new math” — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIKGV2cTgqA .)

Explaining our song’s old language provides parents and teachers a fine opportunity to help kids discover keys to unlock rich literature of the past. I’ve heard it argued that studying grammar (and vocabulary) is a pointless waste of time. Why? Answer given, “Learning grammar does not teach a person how to speak better.” Maybe that’s true, but that misses the point.

Rules of grammar give us access to the literature of the past. Rules of grammar — and, for that matter, every word in any dictionary — cannot predict what we will do going forward. No, but their great contribution is that they can tell us how language worked in literature of the past. These resources enable us to unlock and understand the greatest literature already in print — for example, the Bible.

Be a warm part of their memories

I am a witness that this is a good song to teach a child. I know it is because the song still works for me after all these years and miles. Not only do the lyrics and melody stir up happy memories of early days learning about the Lord — they also remind me of the people who taught me such songs and their meanings. The odd old language actually makes the memories of those people and places more vivid to me. Wouldn’t you like to appear in warm memories bubbling up years from now in people you touch today as they recall a song or a lesson learned because of you?

If old worn-out blue jeans can be worth big dollars to today’s youth, maybe this song, with its old language has a chance, too. Our song has old baked in — along with truth that is timeless. In a number of ways, songs like this can expand in a person’s mind over the years, compounding interest to the treasure of the person’s learning. Let’s bring gems like this to kids — of all ages.

Knowing that we are children of the Heavenly Father

Our song’s melody is simple and lovely. The lyrics are bold and firm. As with other songs such as “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Just As I Am”, this song was written by someone who suffered painful loss and was faced with the choice either of being mad at God or drawing closer to Him for healing.

This song gives children — and their teachers — a way to gently touch and consider big issues such as tragic loss — and life and death — and to learn through it all of God’s care, attention, power, love and provision. The song sets the stage for a life-long relationship with God framed in respect, trust and gratitude.

At what age might a person begin building such a relationship? Here is a song that can help young children lay a foundation that can be built on for a lifetime. Let’s bring such songs to them — and sing along with them.

God bless you lots,
Dale R.


Download this music sheet

LYRICS: Children Of The Heavenly Father
Text: Carolina Sandell [1855] – Translator: Ernst W. Olson;
Tune: Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara (traditional Swedish melody)

1 Children of the Heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather.
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

2 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.

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

4 Though he giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh.
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them safe and holy.

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4 Replies to “Children Of The Heavenly Father”

  1. Julia M Witchard

    Good early morning Mr Dale . blessing upon blessings πŸ™…..old is very good.. because there is so much to be learnt from the past…”MEMORIES “..but they can bring a “WHOLE LOT OF JOY TO THE HEART “..like u said..for instant…”THE BEAUTY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW TESTAMENT…WORDS OF WISDOM…REMEMBER Mr Dale. u were sent to teach whom soever will listen..”RATHER , YOUNG OR MATURE… Depends on how u perceive it..
    and don’t u ever forget. there is a calling to your heart from OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. to be used for HIS PURPOSE…AND AS LONG AS U STAND ON HIS WORDS…NOTHING ELSE MATTERS…BECAUSE HE HAS U AND CATHY IN THE PALM OF HIS HANDS…” JUST KNOW THAT “…May all the love and joy that u feel when u sang Makes your heart tingle ..remember u are truly singing to OUR HEAVENLY FATHER…Remember david.when he sang to OUR HEAVENLY FATHER…MAY ALL Your joy keep flowing to other… And May OUR FATHER HOLY SPIRIT KEEP TUGGING AT Your Heart ❀…..u an Cathy stay πŸ™Œ PRAYERFUL .. And May THE BLESSINGS OF πŸ™ OUR FATHER JESUS CONTINUE TO BLESS U BOTH …Much πŸ’˜… goes out to u both. πŸ™…

    Reply
    1. Dale Reichel Post author

      Julia, Thanks much for your exhortation and encouragement. I receive it! God is good! God bless you lots – Dale R.

      Reply
  2. Cathy Reichel

    I get the sweetest mind picture of a little child feeling totally loved and cared for in the arms of a parent delighted to spend the time with the child. I so wish this could be a reality for every child and parent. Thanks for bringing this song to us

    Reply
    1. Dale Reichel Post author

      Cathy, thanks for your note. That’s the picture! I, too, so wish this could be a reality for every child and parent. Glad you like the song. God bless ya – D.

      Reply

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