The phrase “I shall hear in heaven” is often associated with Christian beliefs and is used to express hope and comfort in the face of adversity. But who first uttered this phrase and what was the context of its first use? This article will explore the origins and attribution of this phrase.
Origins of “I Shall Hear in Heaven”
The phrase “I shall hear in heaven” was first used in the 17th century by the English poet and playwright John Dryden. It was part of a line in the poem “Alexander’s Feast”, written in 1697. In the poem, Dryden expresses the idea that music is a heavenly gift that can bring joy and comfort and that it will continue to bring joy even after death.
The poem reads:
“The song began from Jove,
The image of thy power bring down
And Heaven’s ethereal frame
Shall hear the vast applause.
I shall hear in Heaven and bless the sound.”
The phrase “I shall hear in heaven” has been used by many other writers since then, including William Wordsworth, William Cowper, and George Herbert. It has also been used in hymns and songs to express a sense of hope and comfort.
Attribution of the Phrase
The phrase “I shall hear in heaven” is attributed to the English poet and playwright John Dryden. It was first used in the poem “Alexander’s Feast” in 1697. Since then, it has been used by many other writers and musicians to express a sense of hope and comfort in the face of adversity.
The phrase “I shall hear in heaven” is a powerful expression of hope and comfort that has been used by many writers and musicians over the centuries. It was first used by the English poet and playwright John Dryden in the 17th century and has since been attributed to him. The phrase has become a timeless expression of faith and hope that has been passed down through generations.
The phrase “I shall hear in Heaven” has been attributed to several notable persons throughout history, including poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, theologian Jonathan Edwards, and composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Each of these individuals had a unique relationship to this powerful and deeply meaningful implication of faith and hope in the afterlife.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet who wrote the famous poem, “The Ladder of St. Augustine” in which the phrase “I shall hear in Heaven” is used to describe a life of joy that will be found in Heaven. His use of the phrase is a reminder to humanity to seek a life beyond the earthly plane, where joys that are far greater can be found.
Jonathan Edwards was an American theologian whose work in the fields of epistemology and philosophy helped to shape religious thought in the eighteenth century. He is best known for his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” in which he famously says, “I shall hear in Heaven.” By this, he meant that our sins will be judged when we pass on and our entrance into Heaven will depend solely on our faith in God and the mercy of His grace.
Lastly, Ludwig van Beethoven is a German composer who is one of the most influential and accomplished musicians in history. His work is known for its dramatic and intense nature, often conveying a powerful sense of faith and hope in the afterlife. Beethoven closed out one of his most famous pieces, his Ninth Symphony, with the powerful words “I shall hear in Heaven.” This phrase is certainly appropriate for his great work, as it encapsulates the intensity and the desire for a beautiful life in the hereafter.
In short, the phrase “I shall hear in Heaven” has been attributed to three of the most influential and important artistic figures in history. All three of these great individuals have used this beautiful phrase to remind humanity of the life that awaits us in Heaven and how important it is to make this life as beautiful as possible.