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Ira Sankey, a good friend of Philip Bliss, the author of this hymn, wrote this about Bliss’ text: “It is said that the word ‘Hallelujah’ is the same in all languages . It seems as though God had prepared it for the great jubilee of heaven, when all His children shall have been gathered home to sing ‘Hallelujah to the Lamb!’"(Sankey, My Life and Sacred Songs). Laura de Jong reflects on this general idea with her own experience at Taizé, an ecumenical community in France:

The strife is o'er, the battle done

It's appropriate to think about this hymn as we transition from summer into the fall when many of us return to school and/or work. We thank God for the blessings he has bestowed upon us this summer, and as we move into our regular routines and activities we ask that God would be continually with us and bless us.

The notion of “the unknown” is not an idea we’re overly fond of. Part of us would love to know how the future plays out - what to prepare for, what to let go because it won’t be success
ful anyway. C. S. Lewis alludes to this desire in Prince Caspian, in this conversation between Lucy and Aslan. “Please, Aslan!” said Lucy, “am I not to know?” “To know what would have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No, nobody is ever told that.” “Oh dear,” said Lucy.”

Hymnary.org will be providing fully-treated hymns--hymns that contain text, scores, author biographies, notes about the hymn, bulletin blurbs, worship ideas, and various other related resources. Everything you might need!