“My Mother’s Bible” is a deeply moving hymn that celebrates the comfort, wisdom, and enduring truth found in God’s Word. Rooted in cherished memories of a mother’s faithful teaching, it reflects how Scripture becomes a lifelong guide, shaping faith through both instruction and example. The hymn gently weaves together themes of love, remembrance, and redemption, showing how the Bible reveals God’s love and the hope found in Jesus Christ. Like Psalm 119:105 declares, it reminds believers that God’s Word is a light for every step of life’s journey.
Scripture:
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
The hymn is a heartfelt expression of love and gratitude for the Bible, portraying it as a priceless source of comfort, wisdom, and divine truth. It reflects on the lasting influence of a mother’s teachings and the deep comfort found in Scripture, highlighting its enduring impact on faith and memory. Emphasizing the Bible’s role in revealing God’s love and the story of redemption through Jesus, the hymn echoes the spirit of Psalm 119, celebrating joy and devotion to God’s Word.
Author: Milan Bertrand Williams
Born: October 30, 1860
Died: November 12, 1941
Composer: Charles D. Tillman
About the Author:
Milan, son of William Bradford Williams and Mary Hancock Bagley, married Jennie Rose in 1880 and later Juliette Mead in 1905 in York, Nebraska.
He served as General Secretary for the YMCA in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1884, and as YMCA State Secretary in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1887 to 1892. From 1894 to 1902, he led evangelistic meetings with Charles Alexander and was sometimes assisted by the young evangelist Billy Sunday; in the spring of 1902, he also traveled in the Holy Land.
In 1911, he was elected Kansas State Representative for the 109th District, and in 1917 served as president of the Interdenominational Association of Evangelists. In the 1930s, he became director and curator of the St. Petersburg Historical Society Museum in Florida.
Lyrics:
1 There’s a dear and precious book,
Tho’ it’s worn and faded now,
Which recalls the happy days of long ago,
When I stood at mother’s knee,
With her hand upon my brow,
And I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.
Refrain:
Blessed book, precious book,
On thy dear old tear-stained leaves I love to look;
Thou art sweeter day by day,
As I walk the narrow way
That leads at last to that bright home above.
2 As she reads the stories o’er,
Of those mighty men of old,
Of Joseph and of Daniel and their trials;
Of little David bold,
Who became a king at last;
Of Satan with His many wicked wiles. [Refrain]
3 Then she read of Jesus’ love,
As He blest the children dear,
How He suffered, bled and died upon the tree;
Of His heavy load of care,
Then she dried my flowing tears
With her kisses as she said it was for me. [Refrain]
4 Well, those days are past and gone,
But their mem’ry lingers still,
And the dear old book each day has been my guide;
And I seek to do His will,
As my mother taught me then,
And ever in my heart His words abide. [Refrain]
Listen here:
https://youtu.be/HQE_jhQG3nY?si=XUdSOfJPV6JaLYT4
Or
https://youtu.be/JNKn_csrU10?si=f418P4yUGKtrKq0O
References:
https://hymnary.org/person/Williams_MB
https://hymnary.org/text/theres_a_dear_and_precious_book
http://hymntime.com/tch/bio/w/i/l/l/i/a/m/s/m/williams_mb.htm
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/252372051/milan_bertrand-williams
If you’d like to explore more hymns and the stories behind them, visit my hymn history page to discover their rich background, authors, and meaning.