Elizabeth Mills

Elizabeth Mills was born in 1805 at Stoke Newington, London, the daughter of Philip King. She married Thomas Mills, M.P., and died at Finsbury Place, London, on April 21, 1829, at the age of 24. Despite her short life, she made a lasting impact on Christian hymnody, particularly with her popular children’s hymn We speak of the realms of the blest. This hymn, inspired by Bridges’ commentary on Psalm 119, verse 44, was written just weeks before her death and quickly became widely beloved in both Great Britain and America.

Her hymn has been preserved in various forms, often appearing in collections as We sing of the land of the blest, We talk of the land of the blest, or O land of rest, for thee I sigh. It remains a staple in children’s hymnals and has been translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, German, Swedish, and Norwegian. Elizabeth Mills is remembered for her heartfelt devotional writing and the enduring influence of her hymns despite her early passing.