"In the Arms of My Beloved"

Here’s a hymn inspired by a poem that my friend and colleague, Rev. Zach Sasser, recently shared with me and asked if I would consider paraphrasing it to a common tune. It is written in 8.7.8.7. D and is sung to the tune NETTLETON. However, as it’s written in 8.7.8.7. D, it can be sung to a number of tunes. If you would like this hymn notated to a different tune, please let me know and I’ll be glad to send you a copy.

Permission is given for use in congregational worship.  Please give the following credit:  "Copyright 2019 Stephen M. Fearing | www.stephenmfearing.com (Adapted from a poem by Rev. Zach Sasser).”

CLICK HERE for a pdf of this hymn.

In the arms of my beloved, it is Thee who gives me depth.
There I stay in sweetest safety; it is Thee who gives me breadth.
Held more tightly than an infant; in Thine arms I’m truly free.
Nourished by God’s grace to flourish; greater than the deepest sea.

Ev’ry breath I take is from Thee; mercies in and mercies out.
Hearts together beat in rhythm, quieting my deepest doubt.
Draw me in and send me forward; ever resting in your care.
I’m reborn as your creation; now I raise this thankful pray’r.

Here is the original text of Zach’s poem:

I am in the arms of my beloved.
It is Thee who gives me depth.
It is Thee who gives me breadth.
In Thee I am held more tightly than a babe.
In Thee I am given freedom...
to live...
to be...
O in Thee...
I am even given my very breath,
and often think of it as mine.
But even that, dear heart, is Thine.
So draw me in
and issue me forth,
and let the smell please your nose!
For I am Thy creation.
In Thee I seek repose.
I am in the arms of my beloved...

Here’s a note from Zach Sasser about this poem:

"I wrote this poem in seminary during a time when I was discovering what it meant to understand myself as beloved by God. My intention was to reflect Martin Buber's idea of the "I thou" relationship between Creator and creation. At that time, the idea of God as the ground of all being who is hanging the farthest star while being as close as my breath became less of an idea and more of a lived experience. I had also recently learned of the idea that the fragrance of an offering was intended to please the nose of God, which I found humorous when accompanied by Paul's instruction to become a living sacrifice and Calvin's belief that we're all stinky sinners. Beyond all that, the poem is an expression of a child in their mother's lap and a recognition that God holds us just like that – especially when all around us is broken and even when we are stinky."