His Name Is Wonderful -- Audrey Mieir

The copyright says 1959, but the song was really composed during the Christmas season of 1955. Audrey Mieir’s name is on the copyright, but perhaps her brother-in-law Luther, and a centuries-old prophet also deserve some of the royalties from the song “His Name Is Wonderful”. Even some of the children in the church where 39-year old Audrey spent that Christmas (probably with a tree and loved ones around, as in the picture) were part of the song’s development, if its creation story is really examined in detail. Is it any wonder that His name is revered by believers, when He can cause events and people to intersect in a way to create something unique?

How many names are appropriate for Him? There are seven in the song that Audrey Mieir wrote that Christmas, including the one in the song’s title. And, seven is often cited as the number of completion (or in the secular world, as lucky), so is that its key to success? If it was, maybe He was at work in this way too, a not totally implausible scenario. There was a Christmas play at the church, the Bethel Union Church in Duarte, California, featuring lots of children as characters in the well-known story. That would be enough to touch most people, including the church’s pastor, apparently. This pastor, named Luther, was Audrey’s brother-in-law. He quoted the words of Isaiah (9:6) – perhaps, they had been part of the play, spoken by one of the kids. The room was hushed, appropriately following the chorus’ rendition of ‘Silent Night’, and Audrey says she sensed something special, prompting her to immediately jot down her brother-in-law’s well-chosen words – ‘His name is wonderful’. A few hours later, she used other scriptural names of Him, fitting them with the melody that was flowing in her consciousness that Christmas day. Seven names, matched – or probably even exceeded – by the number of contributors to the ditty she composed and introduced at the church that same evening. Seven, or even seventy, maybe more, could be said to have brought this tune along, considering all the various sources that Audrey heard, or read, or sensed in her spirit that day. They all coalesced for Audrey Mieir, the musical resource that God used to assemble the tune.      

His names say so much about Him, perhaps that’s what Audrey Mieir was struck by that Christmas. Focus on the names, she hints, to draw from Him what He wants to give you. The Mighty King, Great Shepherd, Rock of Ages, Master, and Almighty God is the Lord Jesus, who is Wonderful. He chose all these names for Himself, I’m reminded, as I sing what Audrey wrote. Why did He do so? Was it for me, I think as I sing? Listen close, and you might hear Him singing too, His Spirit mingling with yours. They’re His names, but I inherit and have access to these parts of Him as a believer. Now, that’s astonishing, when I think of its import. It’s wonderful!       

The source for Audrey Mieir’s “His Name is Wonderful” song story is the book “Our God Reigns: The Stories behind Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs”, by Phil Christensen and Shari MacDonald, Kregel Publications, 2000; and also “The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs”, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006.