In the beginning, when the entire universe was still in the mind of God, like unborn forests within an acorn; long before any sound echoed through the emptiness; before the mountains were formed; and long before light flashed through the skies, God loved His chosen people. Before any creature existed—when

not even the ether was stirred by an angel’s wing, when space itself had no existence—God's love was already at work for His chosen. Their names were written on His heart, and even then, they were dear to His soul.

Our national music has never been as devout as it should be, and compared to the Hebrews, we are poor in sacred songs. May the future bring an improvement in this area. Let us see the hand of God in the events of our time, and if we cannot write psalms

and hymns, let us at least express our deep gratitude to the God who has surrounded our island nation with the ocean, protecting it with a better defense than gates of brass or triple steel.