Day by Day (and with each passing moment)

"Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." — Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

The powerful revival movements that swept across Scandinavia in the latter half of the 19th century were deeply enriched by the hymnody of Lina Sandell, one of Sweden’s most beloved and prolific hymn writers. Born on October 3, 1832, in the village of Fröderyd, Sweden, she was the daughter of the local parish pastor. As a child of delicate health, Lina often chose to spend her time in her father’s study, immersed in Scripture and devotional thought, rather than join her peers in outdoor play. Her spiritual sensitivity and literary gift were evident early on, but a profound personal tragedy would later give her hymns an even deeper emotional resonance.

At the age of twenty-six, Lina accompanied her father on a journey to Gothenburg. During the voyage, a sudden lurch of the ship caused her father to fall overboard and drown before her very eyes. Though she had already begun writing hymns, this heart-rending event profoundly shaped her work. From the sorrow of that loss flowed a stream of hymns marked by tender, childlike trust in Christ and an unwavering confidence in His abiding presence. These themes became hallmarks of her writing and endeared her hymns to countless believers throughout Sweden and beyond.

The widespread popularity of Sandell’s hymns owes much to the musical settings provided by Oscar Ahnfelt, often referred to as a “spiritual troubadour.” A gifted composer and evangelist, Ahnfelt created melodies that were simple, lyrical, and easily embraced by the common people. He traveled widely throughout the Scandinavian countryside, singing these hymns with the accompaniment of his handcrafted ten-string guitar. Lina once remarked, “Ahnfelt has sung my songs into the hearts of the people.” His ability to match her devotional poetry with heartfelt melodies played a critical role in spreading the gospel message across Northern Europe.

Another major influence in popularizing Sandell’s hymns was the celebrated soprano Jenny Lind, internationally renowned as the “Swedish Nightingale.” Despite her fame on grand concert stages, Lind was deeply committed to her Christian faith. She often sang Sandell’s hymns in humble settings, sitting alongside laborers and workers, sharing with them the gospel through song. Her willingness to minister through music, regardless of setting, brought further attention and affection to Sandell’s work.

Like many movements of spiritual renewal, the revivals in Scandinavia encountered opposition. At one point, opponents petitioned King Karl XV to suppress Ahnfelt’s public preaching and singing. Summoned before the monarch, Ahnfelt sought guidance on what to present and requested that Sandell write a special hymn for the occasion. Rising to the moment, she quickly composed a new song. With his guitar in hand and Sandell’s hymn in his pocket, Ahnfelt appeared at the royal court and sang:

Who is it that knocketh upon your heart’s door in peaceful eve?
Who is it that brings to the wounded and sore the balm that can heal and relieve?
Your heart is still restless, it findeth no peace in earth’s pleasures;
Your soul is still yearning, it seeketh release to rise to the heavenly treasures.

The performance moved the king to tears. Touched by the sincerity and power of the message, King Karl clasped Ahnfelt’s hand and declared, “You may sing as much as you desire in both of my kingdoms.”

The English-speaking world was introduced to Lina Sandell’s hymns largely through the work of Andrew L. Skoog, a gifted translator and music editor well-known among Swedish-American communities in the Upper Midwest. Born in Sweden, Skoog immigrated to St. Paul, Minnesota, at the age of twelve. Although he had formal schooling only through the sixth grade, he went on to edit seven hymnals, publish various classical works, and author a textbook on music theory. For fifty years, he was an influential figure in the religious life of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, often working closely with Pastor E. August Skogsberg. The two were affectionately referred to as the “Swedish Moody and Sankey” of their time for their evangelistic partnership and impact.

In 1867, Lina Sandell married C. O. Berg, a merchant from Stockholm, yet she continued to sign her hymns simply with the initials “L. S.” — a signature that had become beloved throughout Sweden. For her extensive contributions to sacred song, she is often referred to as the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden.” Her hymns, like those of her American counterpart, display deep spiritual insight, poetic simplicity, and enduring theological depth.

Among her best-known works is the hymn Day by Day, a gentle yet firm expression of trust in God’s providence. Another treasured hymn by Sandell is More Secure Is No One Ever (also included in 101 More Hymn Stories, No. 59), which likewise reflects her unwavering confidence in the Lord’s protection. Lina Sandell’s legacy continues through her hymns, which offer peace, assurance, and a reminder of God’s nearness — day by day.