CREEDE HINSHAW: A valley of inspiration

They named a valley for Joachim Neander because this German Reformed pastor (1650-80) praised God in that sylvan limestone haven near Düsseldorf, Germany, writing poems and tunes to the Creator who fashioned the trees, stone and flowing water.

I learned this story from an article written by Jon Moollem in the New York Times Magazine (Jan 11, 2017, “Neanderthals Were People, Too”). The story was mostly about the ancient creatures whose bones were first discovered in that valley in 1856, but the back story recounted Neander’s contribution.

Being a geek when it comes to singing church hymn, I have always studied the hymnal to learn who wrote each text. (One complaint about contemporary worship is that the large screens flashing lyrics never identify the author of the text or the writer of the tune, a grievous omission.)

For most of my life I have been happily singing Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, noting that Joachim Neander wrote the words, but knowing nothing about him except to puzzle over what seemed a weird coincidence between his surname and the Neanderthal tribe.

So, the Times article was an eyeopener for me, more for what I learned about Neander than what I learned about the Neanderthal.

No source explained who decided to name this valley in the pastor’s memory. Neander died at age 30 of tuberculosis. But various sources indicate that Neander’s friends and neighbors understood and appreciated the valley was a source of inspiration for him, a place where he praised the God from whom all blessings flow.

I wonder what Neander would think of a valley named for him? (Thal or tal means valley in German.) My reading further indicated that (1) Neander’s beautiful valley is largely gone, having been plundered of its limestone by a concrete company and (2) in the excavating of the limestone in 1856, the bones were discovered that were called Neanderthal Man.

I leave you with a question, an observation and a hymn text.

The question: Do you offer praise to God in such a way that others, seeing you, would recognize you as a person of joyful, trusting faith in the God of all creation? You can praise God in every setting.

The observation: It is a bonus to know that what we call Neanderthal Man indirectly takes the name of a German pastor. Had Rev. Neander known there were ancient bones in that valley, I’m sure he would have praised God for creating those early humans, too.

The text: While considering these things in church one recent Sunday, I was delighted to see that we were singing my favorite Neander hymn that morning. With the rest of the congregation I joyfully sang these words:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;

Join me in glad adoration!

Email columnist Creede Hinshaw, a retired Methodist minister, at [email protected].