Our Help in Ages Past

In 1719 England was in the middle of a crisis. Their sovereign, Queen Anne, was dying, and she had no surviving children. Many feared that the crown would be given to her brother. There was some relief when the crown was given to her cousin George, Elector of Hanover (in Germany). But there was still widespread concern.

Sensitive to those times, hymn writer Isaac Watts felt inspired by Psalm 90 to write a poem that attempted to calm fears. The solution, he felt, was that people should focus on God rather than on their problems or the current political environment.

He wrote, “Our God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.”

Watts stressed that “to endless years” God was “the same,” and that “a thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone.”

As people trusted in God, Watts knew that they would not have to worry: “Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.”

This poem, which became a great hymn, was distributed throughout England in a leaflet, and it helped bring England through this crisis.

On this day, as people throughout the United States celebrate Memorial Day, there will be many calls to remember those who have given their lives for their country. But this also is a day to remember the debt that each of us owes to God.

Today, think about all that God has done for you. Remember: He has been your help in the past. He knows what you are going through today. And you can be confident He will be with you in the future.