Center For Church Music, Songs & Hymns

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A stroll through the woods, a mountain hike, a nap on the beach-in such encounters with nature we often find peace. There's just something about the leaves, rocks, and sand that makes us feel at home in this world. They release us from the humdrum of our busy lives and bring us back to the basics of life.

In this week's hymn, we celebrate one of those most basic truths: "This is my Father's world." Such simple words, yet how much we need to be reminded of them! We live in ...

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A stroll through the woods, a mountain hike, a nap on the beach-in such encounters with nature we often find peace. There's just something about the leaves, rocks, and sand that makes us feel at home in this world. They release us from the humdrum of our busy lives and bring us back to the basics of life.

In this week's hymn, we celebrate one of those most basic truths: "This is my Father's world." Such simple words, yet how much we need to be reminded of them! We live in an age when technology and progress seem to be spinning out of control. Our personal lives pass by in a blur of activities and plans that can leave our own heads spinning, too.

Into this whirlwind of man-made activity and busyness, our hymn speaks of simpler things-"rocks and trees . . . skies and seas." In these details, so masterfully created by God, we see a visual reminder that he still holds the world in his hands. As the hymn writer so aptly put it, "O let us not forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet."

Take some time to bask in God's creation this week. Walk through a park. Plant a flower. Watch the wind playing with the trees. And as you do, think on these timeless words: "This is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought." Take that rest today, knowing that no matter what happens in this world, your Creator God still has control.

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Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in Lockport, New York, enjoyed hiking in an area called "the escarpment"-an ancient upthrust ledge near the city. Heading out on such walks, he often proclaimed that "I am going out to see my Father's world." And from his vantage point on the escarpment, he had a beautiful view of God's creation indeed; from the greens of farms and orchards to the blues of Lake Ontario.

It's said that these walks inspired the words to "This Is My Father's World....

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Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in Lockport, New York, enjoyed hiking in an area called "the escarpment"-an ancient upthrust ledge near the city. Heading out on such walks, he often proclaimed that "I am going out to see my Father's world." And from his vantage point on the escarpment, he had a beautiful view of God's creation indeed; from the greens of farms and orchards to the blues of Lake Ontario.

It's said that these walks inspired the words to "This Is My Father's World." Babcock's lovely hymn was not published, however, until after his untimely death in 1901. At that time his wife, Catherine, collected and published many of his writings, including the poetry to "This Is My Father's World."

Franklin L. Sheppard, a friend of Babcock's, composed the hymn melody, Terra Beata, after his death. The hymn was first published in Alleluia, a Presbyterian songbook for children, published in 1915.

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