Scripture References:
st. 1 = Eccles. 3: 13-14
st. 2 = Eccles. 7: 14
st. 3 = Eccles. 3:15

"God's Gift It Is" voices one of the central themes of the book of Ecclesiastes–life centered on God is not "vanity" but brings joy and has meaning. In all circumstances, God is in control and guides our lives (see Answer 1 of the Heidelberg Catechism: "I . . . belong . . . in life and in death–to my faithful Savior. . ."). The song's refrain picks up on this theme. In the biblical text this theme occurs in Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 5:18-20; 7:14; 8:15.

Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) paraphrased Ecclesiastes 3:13-15 and 7:14 in 1985 for the Psalter Hymnal–and specifically for the tune MACHS MIT MIR. Except for the wisdom psalms, this is one of the few wisdom texts in the

Liturgical Use
Because this song focuses on God's providence, it will find frequent use in Christian worship–for example, springtime prayer for crops and industry, fall harvest thanksgiving, Sunday near Labor Day, commemoration of events at the end of the year or season, times of prosperity and times of adversity.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook