In times like these, you need a refuge, a place to rest. Posted on 08/06/2022 2:40:33 AM PDT by Cronos
In times like these, you need a refuge, a place to rest.
There is an old African-American spiritual that says, “Rock-a my soul in the bosom of Abraham. Oh, rock-a my soul!” At first glance its meaning may seem obscure, but it speaks to a deep tradition and a kind of spiritual strategy that has great wisdom.
Biblically, the “bosom of Abraham” referred to the place of rest in Sheol, where the righteous dead awaited the Messiah and Judgment Day. It is mentioned once: in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke16:22-23). In it, Lazarus is said to rest and abide in the bosom of Abraham awaiting the Messiah’s full redemption, while the rich man is in Gehenna, a place of torment.
More generally, though, the image of resting in the bosom of Abraham is rooted in that of a sick, frightened, or wounded child in the arms of his father. Most people can remember awakening from a bad dream when they were young and running into their parents’ bedroom for refuge.
Spiritually, Abraham is our father in faith; he also symbolizes the heavenly Father. The ancient Jews considered the bosom of Abraham a place of security, both in life and after death. Resting in the arms of Abraham meant being where the evil one could not reach and the just rested securely.
Christians, too, have taken this image of safety and rest in the arms of Abraham. It finds expression in the beautiful hymn “In Paradisum,” in which Christians are commended to the place (the bosom of Abraham) where Lazarus is poor no longer. One of the antiphons in the final commendation says, “May angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham.”
Then came this African-American spiritual that added a rocking motion to the beautiful rest in Abraham’s arms. The spiritual life is likened to the action of a father rhythmically rocking his child in his arms. The rocking is soothing and reassuring, and (if one is attuned to it) adds a necessary spiritual rhythm to life.
Yes, rock-a my soul in the bosom of Abraham. Oh, rock-a my soul. In a world of injustice and great darkness, we need the soothing rhythm of the Father’s love. We need to learn to dance and move to its rhythms and not be overcome with the tremors and evils of this world.
Consider the graceful dance in this video and seek to imitate its wisdom. Learn to move to the rhythm of the Father rocking us in His arms. Learn to move to the gentle and steady beat of God’s love as He holds us close.
Rock-a my soul …
Enjoy this video, featuring an interpretation of this beautiful and rhythmic spiritual. It is a graceful and exuberant dance showing security in God’s love and embrace.
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Great piece...until the video! I prefer the gentler versions of the tune. Peter Paul & Mary, or Nana Mouskouri.
Guess it depends on the meaning of “rock.”
Does the video have spiritual twerking? I’ll skip it.
It’s not that bad but Rock My Soul is better as a lullabye...imho.
Was Lazarus "exuberant" in Sheol? Hmm.
But Abraham said, now he [Lazarus] is comforted, and thou art tormented. (Luke 16:25) I think he would be rather exuberant at not being tormented but comforted instead.
Thanks for posting. We loved singing this as kids (and most of us were white).
The Golden Gate Quartet singing it live in France 1975:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FGjMNha2feo
We loved singing Children Go Where I Send Thee, too. The Fairfield Four (great a cappella rendition!):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=040tPQc8zsg
And Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho was a fave. Here it is sung by the incomparable Mahalia Jackson (I was a huge fan of hers back then — still am):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0G_S6ZrtE
We thought singing Dry Bones (we called it “Them Bones”) was fun, as kids would. I think this is from a 1940s movie, but it’s like an old time music video, and a great one. The dance moves of the guy in skeleton costume are so similar to the ones in the Rocka My Soul video in the OP. Some things don’t change much. The Delta Rhythm Boys:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C1szphOU1E0
My favorite was Swing Low Sweet Chariot. From the Clara Ward Singers:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lO8KjW3T4E8
Another favorite of ours was This Little Light of Mine. The Soweto Gospel Choir (man, they’re good!)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1yUK0S_cEXY
All the above are wonderful songs for kids.
Lesser known, “Didn’t It Rain” — Sister Rosetta Tharpe (aka “The Godmother of Rock and Roll”):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5SoZG4yDaJA
My, how times have changed. From this great inspirational music to nasty rap. Maybe it’s a good thing Mahalia and Sister Rosetta didn’t live to see this.
One of my faves. Comforting, indeed.
Love it.
Thank you for those links.
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