God’s Gracious Love

Swedish hymn writer Lina Sandell-Berg had several experiences that might have made her wonder how she could continue moving forward. As a child, she battled a serious, prolonged illness. Then at age 25, she witnessed her beloved father being swept overboard at sea. Yet throughout her life, she expressed her faith in God’s goodness by writing more than 600 hymns.

The idea for “God’s Gracious Love” began when Sandell-Berg read a short story about a clock’s pendulum that found courage for its endless task by focusing on just one tick at a time. This story inspired Sandell-Berg to write a poem that became the text for this hymn. It was her personal testament that we can endure uncertainty and fear by focusing on what is immediately before us and trusting in God’s love one day at a time.

In 1872 a friend of Sandell-Berg’s, the Swedish composer Oscar Ahnfelt, set her poignant words to music. The resulting hymn, “God’s Gracious Love”—known in Swedish as “Blott en dag” (“Just One Day”)—quickly became beloved across Sweden. Often sung at funerals, it has been included in the Swedish hymnal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1993.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for God’s Gracious Love

Scriptures

Principles

Because God knows each of us perfectly, He knows exactly how to help us.
When we trust in God, He will draw close to us and fill us with His strength.
Though we all experience pain and challenges, God promises to love and strengthen us.

Questions to Ponder

When have you felt that God was near to you?
When has God answered your prayers for His help?
What would you say to help someone understand that the Lord seeks to lead and guide them?
Why is it important to watch for examples of God’s mercy, love, and help in your life?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Use hand signs to teach the opening melody. Explain to your children that the composer used only four different notes to create the beautiful melody that goes with the words “Day by day, God’s gracious love surrounds me as a balm to soothe my troubled heart.” Sing “loo” for each note in the melody, and invite your children to show the pitch levels—high and low—by moving a hand up or down, parallel to the floor. Then sing the words while using the same hand motions. Notice that this melody is repeated two more times in the hymn.
Listen for ways God’s love blesses us. Before listening to or singing the hymn, invite your children to think about this question: “How does God’s love help and bless us day by day?” Encourage them to listen closely to the lyrics and notice the gentle, comforting ways God’s love is described. Afterward, talk about the many ways we experience His love even in small, everyday moments. Remind your children that they can rely on God’s love daily as He offers them comfort, strength, and joy in ways both large and small.