The Good News comes to Europe

By Rhiannonw

Sun, 15 Feb 2026
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2 comments
 

[Continuing the hymn-for-Sundays series]

[Acts chapter 16]
They came to the city of Philippi, where
they went to the river where some met for prayer
– while Lydia was listening as Paul spoke God’s Word,
God opened her heart to receive what she heard.

A girl who was troubled by a spirit evil
they healed, but the “owners” were angry, for real
their loss, so they dragged them to magistrates, lied
– false charges: then beaten, imprisoned, untried.

Paul, Silas sang hymns and were praying to God
at midnight – the prisoners around gladly heard,
but suddenly an earthquake – the foundations shook,
their bonds were all opened, the jailer awoke.

He thought they’d escaped, but Paul called, ‘We’re all here’,
the jailer then asked of salvation to hear;
and on the next morning, the magistrates came
– alarmed, they apologised for what had been done!
Tune: 11 11 11 11

http://rhiannonshymns.co.uk

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Comments

Submitted by Nolan on

A very powerful message Rhiannon, but the last stanza I don't quite understand - could you help to explain a bit more? Also "a girl" , is that girl Lydia then? The jailer must have been relieved to find they were all there!

Have a good week, see you! Nolan &

(I can look it up but it's easier to ask - for other readers' benifit too!)

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you, Nolan. it is a whole chapter story, and I realised I was limited in what I could put in a brief song. Hoped in some ways it would be a prompt for some to read the fascinating chapter. The 'girl' in verse 2 was a slave girl who earned money for her owners by fortune telling. The evil spirit was making her pester them and shout about their message in an unhelpful way. (verse 16 to 19 in the chapter in the Bible). Lydia in the first stanza was a well-to-do businesss woman (verse 14 of the chapter in the Bible).

The jailer was about to kill himself when he thought they had all escaped, and he was so moved (had probably heard Paul and Silas singing and speaking the good news), he famously asked 'What must I do to be saved?' to which they replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.' and explained the  word of the Lord to him and his household  (verses 25 to 34 in the chapter in the BIble_)

The magistrates apology was when they were told that Paul and Silas were actually Roman citizens, and should never have been publicly beaten without a trial. This helped the acceptance of the fledgling group of believers, church. (verses 35 to 40 in the chapter in the Bible).

Thank you for suggesting I make those things more clear! Rhiannon