Hymn Highlight: Oft in Sorrow, Oft in Woe
Henry Kirke White (1785-1806) was an English poet who exhibited rare genius in his short life. Dying at age 21 while studying to become a Christian minister, White was featured in several hymnals posthumously, and his most famous hymn was Oft in Sorrow, Oft in Woe. Oft in Sorrow has endured through the centuries, giving Christians a song to sing in times of struggle and sadness. We need songs of celebration to sing on mountaintops, yes, but we also need songs that teach us to continue on in the battle of faith when we are in a valley. Oft in Sorrow is a hymn for such times.
The song begins with a call to return to the Bread of Life in the midst of toil and strife. Our strength in difficult days is not found in ourselves, but in the person and work of Christ Jesus. Though we are “oft in sorrow, oft in woe,” we can continue onward through the strength of Jesus Christ.
The second verse constrains the Christian to remain in the fight, not departing the battle. We are called to “join the war and face the foe.” Even when the enemy rises on every side, and we feel defeated, we must not give up fighting the good fight of faith. We cannot “flee in danger’s hour.” In fact, in danger’s hour, we are to be emboldened, because we know our “Captain’s power.”
The third stanza calls us to hope. Even though for a season, sorrow may “dim your eye,” with the return of Christ, “soon shall every tear be dry.” With Christ’s return, there will be no more sorrow or woe. We will be with the Triune God for eternity, and realize that his strength was carrying us all the way. With that hope, we can go forward with no fear.
In the penultimate verse, we are reminded that not only do we endure with hope, but we can endure with joy. In the midst of sorrow and woe, we can have absolute joy in Christ. Our “drooping hearts” can be glad because the battle—in light of eternity—is not long, and “soon shall victory wake our song.” How paradoxical that we can be faced with terror, persecution, sadness, sickness, sin, and toil, but be absolutely filled with resplendent joy because we know we have final victory in Christ!
Oft in Sorrow closes with a call to continue. We must move onward in life for “more than conquerors ye shall prove.” In Christ, we’ve been made to be more than conquerors, and conquerors always move forward. We will face enemies, and we will be opposed by the enemy. But we can always move forward in faith, hope, and joy that is grounded in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Believer, if you are beleaguered and beaten down, this hymn is for you. Listen to a great, modern rendition here.