The best about God is that He is a forgiving and a loving God. When we are lost, He will stretch out His arms for us to hold onto. God does not want any of His children lost. In addition, God forgives us and always gives us a second chance because He wants us to live a happy life. Therefore, why hide from God when you have sinned? Why not listen to God softly and tenderly calling your name to follow Him?
Story Behind “Softly and Tenderly”
“Softly and Tenderly” has been a popular hymn since 1880. Will L. Thompson was a businessman by profession. However, he was interested in music. He graduated from New England Conservatory of Music in Germany. He wrote songs and sold them to publishers, but he was rejected all the time. So, he began his own publishing company for him to publish his songs. Thompson wrote “Softly and Tenderly” while he was attending Dwight L. Moody’s evangelistic meetings. “Softly and Tenderly” had been used by Moody during his days when he conducted meetings. When Moody was sick, and Thompson went to visit him, Moody said,
“Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly’ Jesus is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my life”
Aside from “Softly and Tenderly” Thompson also wrote another famous hymn “Jesus is All the World to Me” in 1904.
Anne Murray’s Version
In 1999, Anne Murray released her album What a Wonderful World. She covered 26 gospel songs in her album. In addition, What a Wonderful World reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. It also placed at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 38 on the Billboard 200.
Other Covers
One of the songs Anne Murray covered was the famous gospel song “Softly and Tenderly.” She was not the only artist who revived the song. Some artists who recorded a rendition of Thompson’s song were Alan Jackson, Joey + Rory, George Jones, Randy Travis, and many more.
Here is Anne Murray’s lovely version of “Softly and Tenderly.”
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Anne Murray, Softly and Tenderly