Great hymns and sound theology SHOULD go hand-in-hand

A truly GREAT hymn of the Church will contain and communicate sound theology. Hymn writers like John Newton, Isaac Watts, and Martin Luther are among my favorites. But the writer of my "all time" favorite, "I Sought the Lord, and Afterward I Knew", is still unknown. I've heard this hymn set to several different tunes, but my "all time" favorite tune for this particular hymn is Jean Silbelius' "Finlandia".

I can still recall the first time I heard and sang this hymn in the late 80's/early 90's. My husband and I were attending the annual Sovereigne Grace (Gary Long's ministry) conference in Salado, Texas.

This was toward the end of our time at DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary), as well as the time during which I was refining and solidifying my understanding of Reformed theology. I was still trying to reconcile the various "spiritual" experiences of my life and found that this hymn summed up my life AND my theology quite nicely!

There is a woman in our church who also considers this hymn to be her favorite. What a pleasant surprise that was when she told me several years ago--we're kindred spirits!

I hope you'll enjoy reading the words to this hymn, read them slowly and thoughtfully--you just might find your theology challenged!


I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
No, I was found, was found of Thee.
It was not I that found, O Savior true;
No, I was found, was found of Thee.

Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold;
I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea;
'Twas not so much that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou dear Lord, on me, on me.
'Twas not so mucd that I on Thee took hold,
As Thou dear Lord, on me, on me.

I find I walk, I love;
but O, the whole Of love is but my answer, Lord, to Thee!
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul;
Always, always Thou lovedst me.
For Thou wert long beforehand with my soul;
Always, always Thou lovedst me.