Children of the Heavenly Father

Children of the Heavenly Father

Text written in 1858 by Carolina Sandell Berg (1832-1903), translated in 1925 by Ernest W. Olson (1870-1958)

Sung to TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA L.M., a Swedish Folk Melody

Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

V. 1 Children of the heavenly Father

Safely in His bosom gather;

Nestling bird nor star in heaven

Such a refuge e'er was given.

Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:

He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;

he gently leads those that have young.

V. 2 God His own doth tend and nourish,

In His holy love they flourish;

From all eveil things He spares them,

In His mighty arms He bears them.

Romans 8:38, 39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

V. 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.

Psalm 121:4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

V. 4 Praise the Lord in joyful numbers,

Your Protector never slumbers;

At the will of your Defender

Every foeman must surrender.

Job 1:21 Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

V. 5 Though He giveth or He taketh, 

God His children ne'er forsaketh;

His the loving purpose solely

To preserve them pure and holy.