We Know That God Works Things for Good

We know that God works things for good

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1985)
Tune: LESTER (Seerveld)
Published in 2 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI
Representative text cannot be shown for this hymn due to copyright.

Versifier: Calvin Seerveld

Calvin Seerveld (b. 1930) was professor of aesthetics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto from 1972 until he retired in 1995. Educated at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the University of Michigan; and the Free University of Amsterdam (Ph.D.), he also studied at Basel University in Switzerland, the University of Rome, and the University of Heidelberg. Seerveld began his career by teaching at Bellhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi (1958-1959), and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois (1959-1972). A fine Christian scholar, fluent in various biblical and modern languages, he is published widely in aesthetics, biblical studies, and philosophy. His books include Take Hold of God and Pull (1966), The Gr… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: We know that God works things for good
Title: We Know That God Works Things for Good
Versifier: Calvin Seerveld (1985)
Meter: 8.6.8.6
Language: English
Copyright: Text and music © 1986, Calvin Seerveld

Notes

Scripture References:
st. 1 = Rom. 8:28
st. 2 = Rom. 8:29-30
st. 3 = Rom. 8:31-34
st. 4 = Rom. 8:35
st. 5 = Rom. 8:37-39

The often-quoted Scripture passage Romans 8:28-39 says that God chose some to be his people, that he justified them in Jesus Christ, and that nothing whatsoever can separate them – us – from the love of God in Christ. Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) paraphrased this passage in 1985 and set it to a tune he composed and dedicated in tribute to the Christian faith of his father, Lester. The song was first published in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal.

Liturgical Use:
As a sung confession of faith, an alternative to reciting the Apostles' or Nicene Creed; also suitable for funerals (using the tune ST. ANNE; 170).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune

LESTER (Seerveld)

Seerveld’s LESTER is a common-meter tune in minor tonality and features an effective syncopation in its final phrase. Everyone should sing stanzas 1, 2, and 5; stanzas 3 and 4 could be sung a choir to highlight the questions in the text. The harmony was com¬posed by Dale Grotenhuis (PHH 4) in 198…

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Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
Text InfoTune InfoAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #221

Singing the New Testament #138

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