This traditional Swedish hymn written in 1855 by Carolina Sandell Berg, is a tender, comforting piece often sung at funerals, especially for children. Its lyrics portray God as a loving, protective father who gathers His children “safely in His bosom,” likening them to nestling birds or stars in heaven. The hymn emphasizes divine care, assuring believers that God tends, nourishes, and shields His children from harm, holding them in His “mighty arms.”
Written after Sandell Berg’s personal tragedies, including her father’s death, the hymn reflects trust in God’s eternal protection despite earthly loss. Its gentle, lullaby-like melody and imagery of divine embrace make it ideal for mourning, offering solace by affirming the child’s place in God’s heavenly courts. The hymn resonates with themes of innocence and eternal life, aligning with Christian beliefs about children’s purity and divine safekeeping.
