Behind the Hymn: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place
This week’s hymn was inspired by a very special man, who had a great love for music but an even greater love for God. Although I only knew him the last year of his life, that love of both God and music was still evident. His children introduced me to this beautiful hymn and informed me this was one of his favorite songs and we would sing it often. According to his children, he rested in God in ALL things and all of his favorite songs were about resting in God. I’m sure his years of service as a missionary in both South Africa and the Cayman Islands greatly tested this faith at times.
The author of the hymn is often listed as Lidie H. Edmunds, the pen name for Eliza Edmunds Hewitt.
Hewitt was born on June 28, 1851 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Eliza Hewitt
Upon graduation she became a teacher, but shortly thereafter suffered a serious spinal problem when a student struck her with a heavy slate. She was an invalid for the remainder of her life, even though she was able to partially recover.
She continued to live in Philadelphia and turned to hymn writing. She was a regular contributor to various Sunday School publications.
She also served as Sunday School superintendent for a church and home for orphaned children.
On April 24, 1920 she died and was buried at the Woodlands Cemetery.
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place was published in 1891 book Songs of Joy and Gladness, No. 2. The tune is a Norwegian folk melody, “Norse Air” written by Andre Ernest Modeste Gretry, a Belgain opera composer. “Norse Air” tune also goes by the titles “No Other Plea” and “Landas”.
William James Kirkpatrick arranged the melody for the hymn, My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.
After the initial publication, the song is not known to be reprinted until the 1944 hymnal, Choice Hymns of the Faith.
One can only imagine how her own experiences inspired the faith and lyrics for this song.
Hewitt is well known for a number of her other hymns, including “When We All Get to Heaven,” “Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown,” “More About Jesus,” and “Sunshine in My Soul.”
In an article I read her great-nephew describes the hymns as, “the best statement of faith that exists in hymns.”
This hymn was definitely a statement of faith for my dear friend. He lived a life of service and now is worshipping face to face with our Savior.
What hymn is your statement of faith? Where have you found your resting place?
Thanks for sharing more of the story/person behind this hymn! This hymn came to mind today as I’ve been wrestling with new ideas and perspectives in the Lenten devotional I’m reading this year. I enjoy opportunities to contemplate different theological perspectives and I’m grateful that my salvation rests in Jesus’ grace, not in my ability to know/understand everything about God!
I agree, without Jesus grace we would be lost. I’m glad this gave you some new ideas.
Thanks for sharing some of the story/person behind this hymn. I found these lyrics especially encouraging today, and it was fun to learn more about Eliza Hewitt.
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed.
My brother died, 3 weeks ago and this was this favourite hymn!Glory to God!!Ibneed no argument on where he is now:Amen and Amen,,,I love you Jesus
I am so sorry for your loss. Praying the Lord holds you close during this season. Thankful the Lord brought you to this song story to provide the comfort needed.
Thanks for sharing! I just thought to know the story behind this hymn and i have come to know that Eliza Edmunds Hewit suffered a debilitating injury but still in such condition could pen this hymn. I have played it over over and again, this morning from a sermon preached by Pastor Paul Enenche of Dunamis International Gospel Center last Sunday. She acknowledged that her faith was resting in Jesus! Her story made me shed more tears this morning in my office.
So glad this article touched you. I am amazed at Eliza’s perseverance in her hymn writing through her illness. Blessings!
I am referring to this hymn today as I lead worship in a Methodist church, I learned this hymn as a teenager in AOG church Nottinghamshire. My heart is leaning on the Word the written Word of GOD
The song of Eliza Hewitt is so inspirational, tears of living faith come to me each time I hear this song.It is about the ultimate price of our salvation. It is enough that Jesus died
This song was just coming to my mouth/heart throughout today. “It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me”…. He shed His precious blood for me and gave His life. Thank you Diana for sharing this story of Hewitt
To the glory of God I’m truly blessed this morning, as I was praying very early hours of today on my bed preparing for today’s service, this hymn came to my mind and I believe the Holy Spirit ministered it to me, I have singing it over and over, it has blessed me greatly. Every blessing in Christ Jesus!
Thank you for sharing.
I was not so familiar with this hymn, until about seven hours ago, while listening to hymns on Spotify. It was rendered by someone called Lor, and it is heavenly!
Tears were dropping profusely from my eyes as I listened, while driving back home from an event.
It’s been 7 hours now, and I have been playing this hymn over and over again, even as I am preparing for the Sunday service (I am a preacher).
Finally, I decided to Google the history of the hymn, and here I find myself.
Thank you Dianaleaghmatthews for sharing. I’m blessed by it.
Glad to hear the song brought you comfort
I first heard this song in a Sunday morning service when my mother picked it out of the songbook for the congregation to sing. I had recently moved from NYC to Philadelphia and was unsure of how things would progress. This song brought me much comfort and hope. Thank you for the kind thoughts about its writer.
So glad the song ministered to you.
Thank you so much. As I pondered upon this hymn this morning, I decided to find out about the writer of the hymn. It’s been such a blessing to find the story behind the page neatly written. Please share more stories like this. I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian. We love hymns a lot!
God bless you.
So glad the stories are a ministry to you. Great to hear from you.