I composed “We Cry Of / In Quiet Faithfulness†in collaboration with John D’Elia, who beautifully arranged and produced the piece. His artistry helped bring the heart of the song to life, transforming a quiet prayer into a musical offering of hope and endurance.
Video produced by Bill Hutzel
Performed by
Bill Hutzel, vocals, keyboards, and flute
John D’Elia, acoustic, electric and bass guitars, and drum machine
THIS IS MY TESTIMONY IN SONG
WE CRY OF
Here today and gone tomorrow, what does life all mean? “It is the great standing perennial problem to which human reason is as far from an answer as ever.†And if life is meaningless, is not then death meaningless also?
And of troubled thoughts and lonely hearts “A troubled heart can be found in anyone, even the Christian. There are many reasons for one’s heart to be troubled — separation from or death of a loved one, unfaithfulness of a friend, a feeling of insecurity, a lack of understanding, personal problems, sin, etc. What is one to do when his heart becomes troubled? He must look to Jesus and the comfort He can giveâ€1.
But “In my trouble, I cried to the Lord, and HE ANSWERED ME†(Psalm 120:1).
BRIDGE BETWEEN WE CRY OF AND IN QUIET FAITHFULNESS
Took wings and went to heaven
Got saved, came back to earth
Although we don’t literally take wings and go to heaven, get saved, and come back to earth, it is merely a figure of speech that illustrates our need to transcend our worldly life into a higher spiritual realm, where we meet Christ as our Savior and Lover. It is one’s faith in Christ that saves us from controlling our own destiny and prepares us to live “In Quiet Faithfulness.”
IN QUIET FAITHFULNESS
In this song segment, lyrics borrowed from J. S. Bach, God has become my refuge, safe and sure, my staff and rod in trouble, need, and stress. I am content, and in patience, I endure.
In quiet faithfulness I love and serve my God
In trouble, need, and stress, He is my Staff and Rod.
In God I am content, In patience I endure
In Him my house and I find refuge safe and sure.
Interpretation:
J. S. Bach describes a life of steady, humble devotion to God. Even amid hardship, stress, or uncertainty, God provides strength (“Staff and Rod”)—a reference to Psalm 23. Here can be found peace and endurance not in external stability, but in trust in God, who serves as a secure and unwavering refuge for them and their household.
Foes envy, hate, indeed, from those are never far
Who with their lot and God, content and happy are.
Still, there where envy’s flame with rage surpassing fumes,
It fain must come to pass that rage itself consumes.
Interpretation:
Those who are truly content and joyful in God often draw the envy and hatred of others. This is a deep observation of human nature—peace and joy can stir resentment in those who lack it. However, the lyrics also offer a spiritual truth: unchecked envy and rage are self-destructive. Hatred devours the one who harbors it.
I therefore thank my God and love and serve Him still;
What happens in this world must ever be God’s will.
Interpretation:
Despite opposition, trouble, or suffering, we are to remain thankful and devoted. There is an unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty—that everything, even what’s painful or unclear, is part of a divine plan. This line expresses a deeply rooted, quiet surrender to God’s wisdom and timing.
In quiet faithfulness I love and serve my God
In trouble, need, and stress, He is my Staff and Rod
In God I am content, In patience I endure
In Him my house and I find refuge safe and sure.
Interpretation:
This repeated stanza serves as a refrain, reinforcing the poem’s central theme: quiet faithfulness. It’s a deliberate return to the posture of trust and peace—highlighting that, no matter what happens, this is the chosen way of life.
I therefore thank my God and love and serve Him still;
What happens in this world must ever be God’s will.
I place in child-like trust my life into His care;
In God I am content, whate’er my sphere or share.
Interpretation:
This final stanza expresses a profound surrender to God’s sovereignty—not in a way that attributes evil or suffering to God’s desire, but rather in acknowledging that nothing escapes His awareness or presence. When the speaker says, “What happens in this world must ever be God’s will,†it reflects trust that even in chaos or pain, God remains sovereign, and His purposes will ultimately prevail—even if they’re hidden from our understanding. The phrase “child-like trust†evokes Jesus’ teaching about faith like that of a child: humble, trusting, and unguarded. This isn’t blind resignation, but an active, faithful placing of one’s life in God’s care. And so, regardless of one’s “sphere†(position, influence, or circumstance) or “share†(lot in life, suffering or blessing), the soul finds contentment not in what life gives, but in who God is
(Instrumental)
Copyright 2016 by Bill Hutzel
JOIN INSPIRATION AND HOPE ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE