When I first heard of the hymn, "In Heavenly Love Abiding," I thought of 1 Corinthians 13, and particularly the last verse of this chapter which states, “Now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (NKJV). Why is love the greatest? Because faith and hope are needed only as we walk through life’s journey. But love abides now and through eternity. God is love!
Who Wrote “In Heavenly Love Abiding?”
It’s interesting to look at the family dynamics of Anna Laetitia Waring, author of “In Heavenly Love Abiding,” and learn what influenced her life. Her father, Elijah Waring (1788-1857), and his brother, Samuel Miller Waring (1792-1827), were the sons of an Englishman named Jeremiah Waring. Anna was born into a family of published authors.
Elijah was a Quaker and later became a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. He was also an author and a published memoirist. His brother, Samuel, also a Quaker, is known as a hymn writer, publishing the collection Sacred Melodies in 1826. One of his hymns is, “Now to Him Who Loved Us, Gave Us.” Later, he converted to The Church of England, which, in turn, may have influenced Anna.
Anna Laetitia was born to Deborah Price and Elijah Waring in Neith, Glamorganshire, Southern Wales. Most resources give her date of birth as April 19, 1823, but some sources list the year as 1820. Anna embraced the Quaker way of life but was converted or baptized into the Church of England in 1842.
One of the remarkable aspects of Anna’s life is her mastery of Hebrew as a young child. Throughout her life, she read and studied the Hebrew Psalter daily. It would have given her a deeper understanding of the context and meaning of the Scriptures. It is from this wealth of knowledge and research that she pulled from to write her poetry.
There is little information regarding her life, and she has no record of marriage or children. Anna was a frequent visitor to prisoners in Bristol, England. She was known for her work with the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society. She passed away on May 10, 1910, at Clifton, near Bristol.
What are the Lyrics to “In Heavenly Love Abiding?”
In the book Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories, Robert J. Morgan writes that Anna called this hymn “Safety in God.” The lyrics reveal an inspiring faith in God's steadfast love.
1) In heavenly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe is such confiding,
for nothing changes here:
the storm may roar without me,
my heart may low be laid;
but God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?2) Wherever he may guide me,
no want shall turn me back;
my Shepherd is beside me,
and nothing can I lack:
his wisdom ever waketh,
his sight is never dim,
he knows the way he taketh,
and I will walk with him.3) Green pastures are before me,
which yet I have not seen;
bright skies will soon be o'er me,
where darkest clouds have been;
my hope I cannot measure,
my path to life is free;
my Saviour has my treasure,
and he will walk with m
What Did Annie Laetitia Waring Write Besides “In Heavenly Love Abiding?”
Anna wrote Hymns and Meditations which was published in 1850. The compilation of nineteen hymns is available for purchase today. It was well-received and a fourth edition was published in 1854. In 1863, the book grew to thirty-eight hymns with the tenth edition.
Anna Waring’s further works include Additional Hymns, published in 1858. Days of Remembrance followed in 1886. The Sunday Magazine also published her hymns around 1871.
According to Hymnary.org and Hymn Time, the following are some of Anna’s most sung hymns:
- My Heart is Resting, O My God
- Father, I Know that All My Life
- My Savior on the Word of Truth
- I Ask Thee for the Daily Strength
- Sunlight of the Heavenly Day
- Sweet is the Solace of Thy Love
- Tender Mercies, On My Way
- Wherever in the World I Am
Some music composers who set Anna's hymns to music were Charles Steggall in1890, Uzziah Christopher Burnap in 1895, and Henry Walford Davies in 1923. The music for "In Heavenly Love Abiding” was written by David Jenkins in 1898. The tune is "Penlan."
Does “In Heavenly Love Abiding” Quote Any Bible Verses?
Many hymnals today place a Scripture verse under the hymn title. We could attribute John 15:9 to “In Heavenly Love Abiding.” Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” By His grace, His love is continuous and constant.
Another verse is the one mentioned in the opening paragraph, 1 Corinthians 13:13. However, knowing that Anna Waring loved to read the Hebrew Psalter, let’s look at some of the Psalms that discuss the subject of abiding in His love and the rest found in living in His presence.
The first stanza mentions the word heart twice. The heart is the center of emotions. The heart won’t fear, and it won’t be brought low. Why? Because “God is round about me.” Abiding in God’s love means trusting Him.
Psalm 131:1-3 speaks to the contentment, security, and peace found in trusting the Lord.
Psalm 125:1 states that “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” What a beautiful verse about abiding. Then, in verse eleven, we read, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
In the second stanza, notice the reference to “My Shepherd is beside me,” a reference to Psalm 23:1 which says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The verse talks about His guidance and provision—"nothing can I lack.”
Then, there is the reference to wisdom which is always available to us in Christ. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Then Waring brings to our attention that God has a plan, and the choice is made to walk with Him.
In the final stanza, the phrase green pastures takes us back to Psalm 23:2. Beauty and hope are found in the lines. Read the words slowly. Do you see the writer looking to the future and the hope of eternal life? And just like the last line of the second verse, there is the assurance that no matter what, “He will walk with me.”
Additional Psalms to consider are Psalm 31 and Psalm 46, and in the New Testament, related passages include First Peter 1:3 and Matthew 6:19-20, 22:37.
What Can “In Heavenly Love Abiding” Teach Us Today?
The world was very different for Christ followers in 1850 when Anna Waring wrote this beloved hymn. Nevertheless, the words she penned are just as meaningful and applicable today because they are based on the Scriptures.
The focus of God’s love is at the root of this hymn. In addition to the Scripture passages mentioned previously, let’s look at the text in Ephesians 3:14-21. The Apostle Paul prayed for his readers to understand and grasp the width, length, depth, and height of Christ’s love. It’s beyond our comprehension. As believers in Christ, we rest in and are guided by His love. Take a moment to go back through the stanzas and circle the words or phrases where the author refers to love.
The word abiding has a rich meaning when we examine it further as well. To give you a better understanding, read 4 Simple Ways to Understand and Apply the Command to Abide. Look deeper into John 15 and 1 John chapters 1-5. Not only are we to abide in God’s love, but we are to let His truth abide in us and keep His commandments. Anna wrote, “I will walk with him (verse 2), and he will walk with me (verse 3). That is abiding!
Whether you are listening, singing, or studying the words to “In Heavenly Love Abiding,” you can’t help but marvel at Anna’s ability to pen timeless words that focus on God and His character. May the words to this hymn inspire you today and perhaps encourage you to suggest it for your church's worship service.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Creativeye99
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitalit-tea, encourages, and helps others with the ‘how-to’s’ of life. To sign up for her newsletter, connect with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com - - - “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
