Children of the Heavenly Father
Children of the heavenly Father safely in his bosom gather
Children of the Heavenly Father is a hymn text by Carolina Sandell Berg (1858) in L.M. meter. Found in CW21 502, CW93 449, ELH 174, elw 781. Sung to TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA.
A hymn of profound childlike trust in the Father's care. The four stanzas move from the simple declaration of God's protective love to the particular care he shows by preserving his children, bearing their sorrows, and sustaining them through death. The imagery of the eagle and its nest recalls Deuteronomy 32:11.
History & Background
Written by Carolina Sandell Berg (1832-1903), known as the Fanny Crosby of Sweden, in 1858. Berg wrote over 650 hymns, this being her most beloved. Translated into English by Ernst W. Olson (1870-1958). The tune TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA is a traditional Swedish melody.
Hymnal Appearances
- Christian Worship: Hymnal — 502
- Christian Worship — 449
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary — 174
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 781
- Hymnal Supplement 98 — 888
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 474
- Lutheran Service Book — 723
Bulletin Note
Children of the Heavenly Father — Carolina Sandell Berg, 1858
Preaching Connection
The Father's care for his children — appropriate for baptism, funerals, and times of fear.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From the comfort of divine protection (stanzas 1-2) through the permanence of God's covenant (stanza 3) to trust in God's sovereignty amid life's changes (stanza 4)
In the Church Year
Suggested in the one-year series
- Trinity 15 (6×)
- Epiphany 1 (1×)
- Holy Innocents (1×)
- St. Joseph (1×)
Suggested in the three-year series
- Proper 20 (3×)
- Holy Innocents (1×)
- Lent 2 (1×)
- Proper 7 (1×)
- Proper 9 (1×)
From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.
Themes
Trust Father's Care Providence Comfort