I had no idea when I came to church this past Sunday that I was in for a lovely surprise. Following the sermon, we sang a hymn that was not at all familiar to me: “What God Ordains Is Good Indeed” (ELW 776). What a beautiful hymn!
As I sang from the ELW, I noticed that the text of this hymn was translated from its original German by Martin A. Seltz. I was suddenly transported back in time to January 2011, when this same Martin Seltz taught the very first class I took at Luther Seminary: “Ecumenical Hymnody.” Of all my courses, this remains one of my favorites. Mr. Seltz was actually filling in for the professor who usually taught the course, and as the publisher and principal editor for the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW), he was perfect for the job.
Every morning, Monday-Friday, for two weeks, my fellow students and I entered the classroom at 8:00 AM, leaving the cold of winter behind. Taking our seats, we opened our ELWs and turned to whatever hymns Mr. Seltz chose for us to sing. We sang without accompaniment, our voices gradually warming as our bodies became more fully awake. And before long, our music burst from the classroom, filling the corridors and stairwells of Northwestern Hall.
It is always a beautiful and moving experience for me to be surrounded by others who are lifting their voices in song. Usually I am singing, too. But when, for whatever reason, the song gets caught in my throat, I sing without even opening my mouth, grateful for everyone who is carrying the song for me.
When I got home from church last Sunday, I pulled my ELW off the shelf and read the text of the hymn that I had been introduced to. I encourage you to read it, too. Hopefully you’ll listen to the hymn. Perhaps you’ll even sing it!
May this beautiful hymn be a blessing to you, friends. And may it cause you to remember how very loved you are.
What God Ordains Is Good Indeed (ELW 776)
What God ordains is good indeed, for all life well providing.
The will of God is best for me, the ground of my confiding.
My faithful God, on every road you know the way unfolding
And my hand you are holding.
What God ordains is good indeed: my light, my life, my Savior!
No ill can get the best of me; God’s care will never waver.
Through joy and pain I shall attain the dawn disclosing clearly
That God has loved me dearly.
What God ordains is good indeed. When hope seems like delusion,
I taste the bitter cup and plead, “Lord, quench my fear, confusion.”
God ends the night, restores delight; by faith I face tomorrow
And yield to God all sorrow.
What God ordains is good indeed. My Lord will never fail me
On danger’s path, in deepest need, when death in grief shall veil me.
My God so dear will draw me near, in loving arms will hold me,
At last in light enfold me.
Text © 2000 Augsburg Fortress