Common Ground Song 12 ‘Be still, for the presence of the Lord’
Words / Music: David J Evans © Kingsway’s ThankYou Music
YouTube recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOCfPjLOvC4   
Featured image: ‘Prayer Space’ © Bryan Sherwood CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0.

This 1980’s song has become popular across the denominations and has appeared in various ‘greatest hymns’ collections. It differs from most of the other entries in Common Ground, in that it is neither in the style of a traditional hymn, nor in the Celtic folk style. The tune is memorable and easily sung, and there are just three verses with no chorus or bridge. That is one reason for its popularity.

The other is the subject material. In this busy world, we are all in need of stillness. Even in the Church, we are too easily drawn into the busyness of organising, preparing and delivering our worship and other activities at the expense of sitting still with God. I’m as guilty of this as anyone, being an activist by nature. The song reminds us of three reasons to ‘be still’.

Firstly, to acknowledge God’s presence. As has often been said, God is always present, and we forget him, not the other way round. And the correct attitude: ‘in reverence and fear’. Reverence, because as our Creator and Sustainer, our whole life depends on him. Fear, because his perfection casts its light on the darkness of our imperfections. But as St John writes, ‘perfect love casts out fear’. So we can come into that presence for our fears to be set aside.

Secondly, to bask in his light. I have read accounts of worship services where the ‘glory of the Lord’ did literally appear as a ball of light in the room, or similar. Reports of angelic appearances always speak of dazzling brightness, too. But those are very much the exception. In our everyday praying, the ‘burning glory’ of the Lord is metaphorical, a sense of our minds and hearts being lit up internally by his presence.

Thirdly, to receive his power. The power of the Lord, writes Daavid Evans, ‘is moving in this place … to cleanse and heal, to minister his grace’. That work of being cleansed, healed and served takes place most effectively when we cast everything else aside and come into God’s presence. Be still, therefore, for God is here.