Queen Anne’s War

Psalm 90:1-4

      Lord, you have been our dwelling-place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn us back to dust, and say, ‘Turn back, you mortals.’ For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

O God, Our Help in Ages Past LBW 320

 1    O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home:

2    Under the shadow of your throne your saints have dwelt secure;
      sufficient is your arm alone, and our defense is sure.

3    Before the hills in order stood or earth received its frame,
      from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same.

4    A thousand ages in your sight are like an evening gone,
      short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun.

5    Time, like an ever-rolling stream, soon bears us all away;
      we fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the op’ning day.

6    O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
      still be our guard while troubles last and our eternal home!

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, alt.

      In the year 1714, England was experiencing a political crisis.  Queen Anne lay dying and she had no heir.  She had been a champion of religious freedom, and Isaac Watts, whose father had been imprisoned by the previous monarch for his religious views and only set free when Queen Ann ascended her throne, was more than a little afraid of the transition of power..

      We take the “peaceful transfer of power” very much for granted in this country, this year notwithstanding. But in most places  there was no such thing.  Each transfer of power was accompanied by war, intolerance and usually death. In fact the death of Queen Ann kicked off what could only be described as a 40 year long world war involving all of the major empires of Europe.  They called it “Queen Anne’s War” in Europe back then, we called it the French and Indian War on our shores.  Whatever you called it, it was a bloody and uncertain time.

      In the midst of such a time Isaac Watts turned to the Psalms for guidance, There he was reminded of the God who ruled from age to age, whose presence was balm and whose promises never failed.  He wrote this hymn for a very dark time, expressing a sure and certain hope!

Prayer:  Father, in the midst of our own dark times help us know the comfort of your presence in word and sacrament, help us to see the enduring power of your promises made and kept by our Risen Lord, and help us to tell others so that even in the midst of dark times, we may be called a people of hope!  Amen.