Jesus Meek and Gentle -- George R. Prynne

This 38-year old minister was an educated, intelligent man, and therefore most likely aware of the history of the area where he’d begun his work some years before. George Rundle Prynne had been in Plymouth, England for about eight years in 1856, and would eventually die there some 47 years later. Evidently, he was struck by the peaceful demeanor of the heavenly Savior, and so began his composition that year with the words “Jesus, Meek and Gentle” to underscore this impression. This contrasted with the nature of Plymouth, one of England’s most notable military bastions along the nation’s southwestern coast (see the historical picture here, depicting this to some degree). Was Prynne pondering how his leader’s security guarantee differed from the fortifying values of secular Plymouth?

George Prynne had been ordained as a priest in a church in England by the early 1840s and assumed his duties in Plymouth several years later, duties that included writing a few hymns and publishing at least two compilations of hymns to serve the people there. Though he apparently was aware that most people thought “Jesus, Meek and Gentle” was intended for children, he indicated that was not so. He did suggest some modification of the words in the fourth verse to encourage its usage by children (see second link below), but his own comments about the song indicate he must have been thinking of an adult audience originally, perhaps what they should seek in prayer. So, if someone like Prynne wanted to write something that would be relevant to adults of that time in the Plymouth area, what would he say? Plymouth’s location made its history as one of England’s defensive bulwarks for many centuries very notable, a fact that George would have certainly appreciated if he was close to his church’s members and knew of the livelihood of people in that coastal region. How does the Christian secure himself, and on whom does he rely for protection? It must have been something that this ambassador for God asked himself, as he viewed the famous forts enveloping Plymouth Sound, some of which had been present for centuries. Prynne’s words told his hearers to trust in a being focused on love (verses 1 and 3) and grace (verse 1), but One who was nevertheless capable of freeing them from captivity (verse 2) and guiding them through darkness (verse 4). Who’s better at securing my life than Him? That seems to have been George’s reminder to Plymouth residents.   

George Prynne lived the rest of his life in Plymouth, and according to historical records is buried there. Plymouth’s geography and its utility in England’s security haven’t changed, so what George Prynne would say to residents there today might be pretty similar to what he said in 1856. You can try standing behind the walls of that fort, but there’s another method that he’d recommend. Nothing’s better than someone who can take you through and above the enemy’s challenges.    

See brief biography of the composer here: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/p/r/y/prynne_gr.htm

Scant information about the song is here: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/j/m/e/jmeekgen.htm

See this link for history of Plymouth: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortifications_of_Plymouth