Near to the Heart of God | Songs and Everlasting Joy

This hymn was written by Cleland Boyd McAfee. He often wrote hymns for the local church, where he was the pastor. His family were very grieved to lose two of his nieces to diphtheria in 1901. Though he still trusted in God, Cleland’s brother was heartbroken to lose his girls. Cleland decided to write a hymn for his brother, as he felt there was comfort for them near to the heart of God. He wrote the words and music, had the choir practice it, and then sing it outside the home of his brother, where the family were still in quarantine. The song was preserved by his family and is now in many hymnals.

At this strange time, when many of us have been in months of isolation, we can be comforted by the thought that we do not need to leave our homes to be near to the heart of God. He will stoop low to receive us, so that we may have that experience now. May each of us have quiet rest, comfort sweet and a full release in the heart of God this week.


Near to the Heart of God


Verse 1
There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.


Chorus
O Jesus, blest redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before thee,
Near to the heart of God.


Verse 2
There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Saviour meet,
Near to the heart of God.


Verse 3
There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.