The first time I heard this hymn was on the movie Love Comes Softly, and I loved it the moment I heard it. That was a few years ago. Although, I have heard it from time to time I never knew what it was called or read the words in it's entirety until yesterday. Loved it! Once again Robert Robinson's hymn spoke to this old heart of mine.
The statement in stanza two, "Here I raise my Ebenezer" refers to I Samuel 7:12, "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." Ebenezer is the Hebrew for "Stone of Help." Israel had suffered defeat because of its sin. But the people had repented of their sin, God had helped them and they were victorious. Samuel placed the stone to remind Israel that God had them, their victory was because of Him.
In stanza three, Robinson speaks of being "prone to wonder, prone to leave the God I love". This seems to be a forecast of his later life, when he lapsed into sin, unstableness and involvement with Unitarianism.
How I am just as guilty as he. I can recount the many times the Lord has helped me and I have become victorious. All too often it has come after a time of great repentance. My wanderings from the Lord always lead to sin. And yet, he is faithful to bring me back. What a blessing!
Although the way back may be riddled with consequences, the Lord is faithful to always be my "Stone of Help."
Blessings,
Patsy
Listen here to this hymn
Sheet music and history taken from Center for Church Music Songs and Hymns
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