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A MONTHLY HYMN FOR YOUR FAMILY TO LEARN AND SING TOGETHER

Softly and Tenderly

 
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November - Softly and Tenderly

Lyrics

Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling

Calling for you and for me

See, on the portals He's waiting and watching

Watching for you and for me

Come home, come home

Ye who are weary come home

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling

Calling, oh, sinner come home

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, 

pleading for you and for me? 

Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, 

mercies for you and for me? 

Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised

Promised for you and for me

Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon

Pardon for you and for me

Gently He leads those who carry their young ones

Shepherd for you and for me

Surely His goodness and mercy will follow

Ever with you and with me

By Will Lamartine Thompson

 

November Bible Memory Verse

Matthew 11:28, ESV

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

 

Story Behind the Song

This hymn was written by Will Lamartine Thompson in 1880. Mr. Thompson was an American composer who wrote many gospel hymns and songs in his lifetime. He was the youngest of seven children, born and raised in Ohio. The home he and his wife Elizabeth built still stands in East Liverpool, Ohio.  It has been nicknamed the ‘Softly and Tenderly house’!

His hymn Softly and Tenderly is the one people remember most. Dwight Moody, the great evangelist and friend of Mr. Thompson, loved this hymn. He actually said he wished he had written this hymn more than anything else he had done in his life! He used it often as an invitation for people to come forward and give their lives to the Lord. 

Mr. Thompson died in New York on September 20th, 1909. The hymn has been sung through the decades since by countless congregations and also by famous artists and groups. It is a call for all of us to find our home in the Lord, to find our rest in Him who loves us and can forgive us. 

(For our Evensong lullaby album I wrote a new verse for families)

 

Something to Think About

During Covid we could not travel home to Northern Ireland to see our family. We missed them so much. When we could fly again we booked our flights. We couldn’t wait to see all our family, to finally come home! Perhaps you know that feeling too?

This hymn uses the idea of coming home to help us understand God’s love for us. Our sin keeps us far away from the Lord. Our sin makes us weary because it doesn’t fit us and it is a huge burden to carry. But because of the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins we don’t need to stay away. Do you remember the story Jesus told of the lost son who comes home? Just like the father in this story the Lord is eager to forgive us, lift the burden from our backs and welcome us home. 

In Matthew 8, Jesus says to a scribe, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”  Jesus left his home in heaven to live on this earth. He gave up His home for us so that all who trust in Him might find their forever home with Him. 

What incredible news to sing and share with others. Each one of us can turn towards the Lord and have that joy of coming home. He is waiting with open arms to greet us!

 
 
 

Prayer

Father in Heaven,

Thank You that Your have provided a way for me to be forgiven and filled with peace. Thank You for Your great patience and mercy to us as You call us home, call us to rest in You.

As we sing these words may we encourage others to turn to You as Lord and Savior.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

 

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