After Pap died Paul learned and sung the song “Job’s God is True.” It’s a song that means a lot to all of us because Pap talked of Job a few hours before he died.
Back when I first shared it I tried to find out who wrote the old song. Hymnary.org credits the song to S. N. Greene but has no other information about Greene nor the song. I also found the song was listed in the Public Domain which sometimes indicates it’s considered a traditional song with no known author.
I’ve been thinking about the song. Likely because of losing Miss Cindy and Granny’s sickness.
As you might guess from the title it’s a song about the struggle we have in this ole world. Here’s the lyrics.
I can feel the hand of Satan as a tempter pressing sore.
He has been before the Father, asking leave to press me more.
Though God slay me, yet I’ll trust Him.
I shall then come forth as Gold,
And I know the redeemer liveth.
I can feel Him in my soul.
I can hear the Father granting, saying, “You’ll not touch his life.
Though you crush him, he’ll not falter. He will rise above the strife.”
Though God slay me, yet I’ll trust Him.
I shall then come forth as Gold,
And I know the redeemer liveth.
I can feel Him in my soul.
Though I stumble, I’ll not stagger. By His Grace, I’ll make it through,
For His Grace is all sufficient, and I know that God is true.
Though I look all about me, and His face I cannot see,
Still I know that through the darkness, He beholdeth even me.
Though God slay me, yet I’ll trust Him.
I shall soon come forth as Gold,
And I know my redeemer liveth.
I can feel Him in my soul.
I hope you enjoyed Paul’s singing. All these years later it is still a balm for my soul.
My favorite lines of the song are Though I look all about me, and His face I cannot see, Still I know that through the darkness, He beholdeth even me.
There is a determined hopefulness in those words that really speaks to my faith. The lines also bring to mind the hope often found in the people of Appalachia when they fall on hard times.
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Oh Tipper! What a wonderful song. I sent this to my husband almost exactly a month before he went Home to be with Jesus. He was in rehab after a leg amputation and was just days away from coming home. It had been a long hard battle but we knew God and His Word are true. There was a turn and God took him to the best Home to be with Him-to a land where we never grow old. One of his best buddies spoke at his funeral and told the story of how he as a young preacher went to preach his first sermon at a tiny church with a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. A terrible storm came and the power went off leaving them in darkness. The young preacher was not quite sure of what to do. One of the elderly deacons stood to his feet and said, “Preacher, we can see Jesus in the dark.” Yes, praise God we can and even better, we face no darkness without Him if we are in Him. Thank you for the song I was able to share with my sweetheart. I look forward to the day I join Jesus and my Paul once again. Thank you for sharing your Paul and his music with us. What a wonderful gift! God bless you and yours. Prayers for Granny, the mommies in waiting and your precious grandsons. Deborah from eastern NC
Deborah-thank you for sharing that with us. I’m so sorry you lost him but what reassurance to know where he is!!
I love the words of this song ! Written long ago but still true for this day and time ! Our God is faithful and true !! Amen !
Tipper, I have never heard this song before, but it is so powerful! And Paul does such a beutiful job singing it! He allows the enemy to tempt us, HE puts us through tials Himself to prune us, to refine us into the people He wants us to be. And His Word says that though we may stumble. He will NOT let us fall headlong; He is always there for us, our Stength, our Strong Tower, our Fortress and Deliverer!! Whoo-wee, our God is good!!! I continue to pray for Granny everyday. He is able, Tipper.
I really appreciated this song. God is good even when life feels heavy, hard and sad. What a healing and comforting balm. As usual, it’s lovely to see God using your family to bless so many. Praying for your Granny.
Love it, your faith shines through vividly, and I just love it!
Thank you for sharing this with us, and the words! Thinking of your family, and praying for you all now during this sad time. It is such a joy to visit you and feel peace as the cycles of the seasons turn. Thank you for your blog.
Beautiful!
first…for….this….
Beautiful!
Love this. Our daddy taught his four children to sing harmony when we were very little. I have been singing the old hymns all my life. Thank you for sharing this beautiful song and thank Paul for singing for us.
Such a beautiful song! Paul has certainly been blessed with incredible talent. That voice! Thank you so much for sharing, Tipper. A beautiful reminder that our God never leaves us, even when we go through the fire and can’t feel Him near. I pray God bless you and keep you, and make His face shine upon you, and give you His peace. Prayers for Granny, may the Lord be merciful to her and give her peace as well. Love from New Hampshire
He did a great job. I have never heard this song. I will have to ket my father in law listen to it. Have you ever said what was wrong with Granny? Maybe I’ve missed it. I know she been sick and not feeling well but don’t know what’s exactly wrong with her. Prayers continue for her. She’s a loving and sweet woman.
Gigi-thank you! We just don’t know for sure yet but it looks like it may be cancer.
Thank you, Tipper! You always post the songs with the words I need to hear that day! And, yes, I always enjoy Paul’s singing. I am praying for your Mom, the drs, the correct treatment options for whatever may be the cause of her illness, and for all of you.
Donna. : )
This comment will probably upset some of the members and I am sorry for that. How many have noticed that all of the Sunday hymns posted and sung by Tipper’s family are the good old time hymns. The comments will always be good and either praise or have something good to say about the message in the songs. To me, today’s religious songs that are being sung are not the same. My church was founded in 1815, and still going strong. I have went to this Southern Baptist Church since I was 1-2 weeks old and until I moved out of my parents home anytime the doors were open for a service, my parents never asked me if I wanted to go, I was going even it meant dragging me. They did not take me and drop me off, they would be right there with me. This church is still old fashion and still sings the hymns of old. At this mornings service the hymns sung were ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus, Touring That City by the choir, Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and for the invitation Pass me Not O Gentle Savior. The special music was sung by a man and wife that can pick the strings off a guitar, and I think the title of their song was “If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven”. This mornings message was about all of the troubles and trials such as death or sickness we go through are God’s way of my making our faith in him stronger. My second sentence is also true for the songs sung on YouTube by the BP&A. When I am down, I will often listen to these songs and sometimes cry. I have heard many Preachers say because we are humans there will be times in everyone’s life when we are down no matter how strong our faith is. If you don’t believe this just read about David in the book of Psalms. They also said God understands this.
Thank you for including the words so I could “sing along”. Beautiful story being told by you all in your faith.
Prayers for Granny, and your family, this was a beautiful song, I could listen to Paul sing all day long to, he did a wonderful job singing the song. Thank you, Paul, thank you, Tipper, for sharing this awesome song. I have never heard the song before now. May the Lord God keep you and your family safe and well always.
It makes me so sad to hear about Granny being sick. As I’ve said before, she reminds me of my dear Mother and even though I haven’t met Granny, I love her and I’ll be praying for her and all your family. May you all be lifted up in knowing God is Merciful and He will never leave us nor forsake us.
This song has a powerful message and gives us something to really think about. Beautifully done Paul. Praying for Granny and all of you today and every day.
Prayers for Granny and all of you.
This is the first time hearing this song. What a great message of hope in God’s love.
Hi, Tipper!
I have been so blessed since discovering your website recently and this post is a particular blessing. Thanks so much, and my prayers go out for Granny and for all of you.
Pam in Albemarle County, Virginia
Beautiful song. Words are such a comfort. Paul has a beautiful voice. Praise God that we have been redeemed and can feel God in our soul. We have hard times, but we know God will give us what we need. Tipper, my prayer for you and your family is that you “go quietly on” and trust our Lord more everyday. Prayers for all! Take care and God bless ❤️
Happy Sunday Tipper and family. Love the song. Please tell Paul thank you. Tho He slay me I will trust Him. Wonderful verse. Love and prayers from Hillsville. Sandra
First time hearing this song, absolutely beautiful filled with true promises. Thank you for sharing and letting you know we pray for granny each evening.
I counted 5 key changes (could have been 6). Progressively up. It is admirable to do it flawlessly on the guitar but for Paul to do it with his voice too is remarkable.
Praying for Granny and all of you.
Thank you so much for that song. Paul is a great musician.
We will continue to keep praying for your family during this season of your lives.
Lifting you all up to our Heavenly Father’s throne.
Thank you Tipper for sharing that. It really touched me to read the words of that song and to hear Paul sing it. I’ve really struggled this week. I needed that. Thank you again. I’m praying for Granny and for you and your family.
(((((Tipper)))))
Yes, it is true: we can trust God because He is faithful. We are safe in God’s kind and capable hands.
Beautiful song. May God keep you, your Mama and family in the palm of His hand. It seems that troubles come in bundles sometimes and it is hard to understand why…..but as the years have passed and I have been able to look back…that is where my faith has grown the most. My Grandmother was raised in your area, Madison County, she was a Carver. She suffered so much loss in her life, a baby girl who was a stillbirth, a little boy who died at 6 years and other children who were older as well as her husband. She lived with us during her later years and she was my best friend who spent countless hours playing with me, reading to me and teaching me to write, memorize Bible verses….but this is what I remember her saying so many times….” This too shall pass….trust God.” That simple saying has helped me through so much. Take comfort….with God by your side, this too shall pass.
My mind is blown by the sincerity in words of the song that Paul does so well. Our God bless, and Prayers for you all.
I hope you and your family have some peace today.
“When you face stormy seas I will be there with you with endurance and calm; you will not be engulfed in raging rivers. If it seems like you’re walking through fire with flames licking at your limbs, keep going; you won’t be burned.” Isaiah 43:2 (voice) “But the Lord is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He wont let you down. He wont abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared.” Deuteronomy 31:8 CEB
Paul sang and played that wonderful old tune beautifully. It expresses several Bible truths, the most important of which is I know my Redeemed lives!
Oh what a beautiful & comforting voice Paul has! I love this song. Thank you for sharing, and continued prayers for granny and you all.
Beautiful song and great singing as usual from Paul. God bless!!
From “Through the Bible” with J. Vernon McGee (author unknown):
Out from the mine and the darkness,
Out from the damp and the mold,
Out from the fiery furnace,
Cometh each grain of gold.
Crushed into atoms and leveled
Down to the humblest dust
With never a heart to pity,
With never a hand to trust.
Molten and hammered and beaten
Seemeth it ne’er to be done.
Oh, for such fiery trial,
What hath the poor gold done?
Oh, ‘twere a mercy to leave it
Down in the damp and the mold.
If this is the glory of living,
Then better to be dross than gold.
Under the press and the roller,
Into the jaws of the mint,
Stamped with the emblem of freedom,
With never a flaw or a dent.
Oh, what a joy, the refining,
Out of the damp and the mold.
And stamped with the glorious image,
Oh, beautiful coin of gold.
I had never heard this song until today, like you, I especially like the lines you mentioned. Nowadays I like to listen to Dole Lawson and Quicksilver sing “I Won’t Have To Worry Anymore”. Tipper, I continue to pray for you and the family. Two favorite old hymns of mine, are “Farther Along” and this may not be the title but it is “ We Will Understand It Better Bye And Bye” or something similar.
“Determined hopefulness” is a perfect description of that song’s message- also in the lines of another well known and beloved hymn…”…even so, it is well with my soul.” I will put forth your name, and Granny’s this morning when Friends ask if there is anyone who needs to be held in the light.” When I first began visiting the Quaker meetings after being in a Methodist church for years, the question puzzled me. Why not ask if anyone needs prayer? But after a year, I have come to believe that it’s the same thing, for me at least. Maybe it means something different to other Friends. Either way, it means you’re thought of and loved.
I need to be held in the light.
Linda, East Tennessee
Linda, I am holding you in the light. I’m also an east Tennessean- southeast, that is.
What a beautiful song! Thank you for taking the time to share this. Continuing Prayers for Granny & y’all.
I just love to hear Paul sing. He has such a soothing timbre in his voice…..
Happy Sunday and prayers for Granny and all of those that love her…,
Mary K. < <
Good Sunday morning. Paul did a lovely job singing the song. One of my favorite lines is I know my redeemer lives I can feel him in my soul. Some time back CeCe Winnans recorded the song “I Know My Redeemer Lives.” It’s very powerful and I encourage everyone to listen to it.
The Appalachian people were definitely strong, and still are, because of the HOPE we have in the Lord’s return. Psalms 39:7 states Now, Lord, what do I look for? My HOPE is in you.
Correction: Nicole C. Mullen NOT CeCe Winans recorded “I Know My Redeemer Lives.” Great song!
I so enjoy your Sunday posts. What a beautiful way to start the day. Thank you and May God watch over you and your family.
Love and prayers to Granny. I could listen to Paul sing all day long.
What beautiful lyrics and so true. Always love to hear Paul sing. Hope y’all have a wonderful Sunday. God bless you ❤️
I can feel him in my soul.
I have struggled with “Christ in me.” This song really helps.
Please thank Paul.
Peace,
John Hart
praise God! God bless Granny with love care and protection with healing and health in Jesus name ❤️✝️
Wow, powerful song. Beautiful thoughts. What talent God has given your family.
Wow! What a great song! i loved the key changes in the verses. Paul’s voice is so comforting. You used exactly the right phrase…a balm for my soul. I could feel God hugging me just listening to this beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
l absolutely love this song. I have never heard it before. My prayers go out to you and the family.
I often think of Job when going through hard times. I guess that’s why they wrote about him. BUT.. God didn’t leave him and he gave him more than he lost. I want to have that kind of faith.
Beautiful true lyrics. Thank you
Both beautiful and powerful in equal measure.
what a beautiful song. we love to hear Paul singing he had such a fantastic voice.
Paul does such a good job…I don’t think I have heard this, but it is a good one. Thanks for sharing. God Bless and have a wonderful Sunday.
Enjoyed this today. Thanks for having the lyrics as well. This is helping me thru a rough patch currently. Such a blessing to hear Paul on many other songs as well. I will certainly have to check out Hymnary.com ! Never underestimate how much you & your people bless the rest of us. btw- that is a beautiful bean row on the short earlier Enjoed that Hiwasee tune ,if referring to the river ,that is one of my top favorites.