Big Ben is recognised all over the world. It’s one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy.
But whilst we rely on its accuracy for time keeping and easily recognise its famous melody, do we fully appreciate its spiritual significance for the nation?
Big Ben first rang across Westminster over 160 years ago on 31 May 1859. But the melody of the Quarterly Chimes was written over 60 years before that in 1793 for a new clock in St Mary the Great, the University Church in Cambridge.
This melody is a set of variations on the four notes that make up the fifth and sixth bars of the song “I know that my Redeemer liveth” from Handel’s Messiah, written in 1741 by Georg Friedrich Händel. This is a work described as “a commentary on [Jesus Christ’s] Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension” – it’s the whole gospel!
So that’s the story of the chimes’ music, but there’s more. Did you know that the famous melody of Big Ben has lyrics?
There’s a painted plaque hanging inside the clock tower that confirms not only the inspiration melodically but also the words which can be sung along.
The plaque reads:
WORDS AND MUSIC OF THE CHIMES:
ALL THROUGH THIS HOUR
LORD BE MY GUIDE
THAT BY THY POWER
NO FOOT SHALL SLIDE
MUSIC FROM HANDEL’S MESSIAH
This musical prayer of protection and reliance on God can also be traced back to Great St Mary’s, and alludes to four verses in the Bible.
Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
And
Psalm 37:30-31
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,
And his tongue talks of justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
None of his steps shall slide.
On Nov 13, 2022, the Westminster Chimes began to ring out again after some much-needed restoration work.
But in these turbulent and pivotal times, what if the Church took up its great proclamation and joined together to pray this prophetic prayer song?
God is connecting people across the nation and nations who are joining as one to worship our King and pray together in this hour.
ALL THROUGH THIS HOUR
LORD BE MY GUIDE
THAT BY THY POWER
NO FOOT SHALL SLIDE
