Hidden In Love

In 1890 Fanny Crosby (Frances J.) composed a wonderful hymn called He Hideth My Soul. Based on the account of Moses in Exodus 33 when Moses asked to see God’s Glory.

¹⁸Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

Moses up to this point had been a little grumpy, it seems. He was concerned; this was a new thing for him to lead an entire nation! “Who will You send with me?” “If Your Presence does not go with us, then don’t send us away from here!” “What will distinguish me and these people from all the other nations on earth?” Moses asked, even after he reminded the Lord that “these are Your people.”

But he also asked God ¹³If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

The Lord promised Moses: “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” (v.17)

In many (most?) parts of the world knowing someone by name is very important. Knowing someone’s name allows a certain amount of power and influence over them. In many cultures a name is given that depicts character (or the lack thereof) and circumstances promised or hoped for by others.

Patiently – and mercifully – God assured Moses he will not be alone; God will provide what Moses asks, and more so. “I know you by name.” The intimacy of the relationship between God and Moses gave Moses the courage to ask God to “show me your Glory.”  It was not an ultimatum – ‘show me or I won’t go’ – it was a Child of God seeking favor, blessing, and encouragement to do what God asked him to do and a desire to know God better.

¹⁹And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

²¹Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²²When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

(Refrain)
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.

A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away,
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!
For such a Redeemer as mine.

When clothed with His brightness transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.

–Fanny Crosby, 1890 He Hideth My Soul (public domain)

Psalm 27:

⁴One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to seek him in his temple.

⁵For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 23:

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.