A few weeks ago my wife chose this hymn to play for the offertory in our early service. As usual, I prepared a Power Point presentation so that the congregation could see the words as she played. I was surprised to find out that the projectionist, who grew up in church, had never heard it. Later we found that it was new to most others as well. The words were written by Warren D. Cornell in 1889 and the music was added by W. George Cooper. I don't know much about why they wrote this but it was first introduced at a Methodist camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin. And while it is seldom sung today, its message of peace is one that we so desperately need today. As we see what is happening in the world around us and in the lives of those around us, people need the peace that only our Redeemer offers. As the chorus says "Peace, peace, wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love."
We live in a world that is cursed by sin and therefore all people have various trials and tribulations in life with which they must deal. It might be sickness, the loss of loved ones, financial difficulties, family problems, accidents, job insecurity, approaching death, and, for those who are still outside of Christ's family, the guilt of sin. Christians suffer many of these same heartaches and sorrows because the Lord has never promised to take all our problems away. However, all, both saint and sinner alike, need to know that if we will submit ourselves to the Lord, we can find in Him "Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace." "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace…" (John 16.33)
(1) Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(2) What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(3) I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus' control;
For I'm kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(4) And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
(5) Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!
Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!
Listen to this hymn here. LISTEN
5 comments:
Such a wonderful hymn! The lyrics have a beautiful message.
Beatiful indeed, even moreso as I read the various verses. This coming Sabbath I shall sing part if not all of this song. Lord thank you for Your peace, a peace that only You can give.
Part of a prayer practice I used today was to ask God for a song, word, phrase--something to lay (spiritually) over a problem and place on the altar. This song came to me, expecially the words "billows of love". I pictured God's love all around in the forms of endless billowing clouds. I couldn't remember one phrase of the chorus, so God lead me to your blog for the first time. It was such an unexpected blessing.
Thank God through Jesus Christ for His unmerited grace, everlasting love, and divine mercy.
So thankful for this old hymn. As a boy, we sang this in our church in Sherwood, Michigan. It is this kind of peace that we truly need today. Thank you for the posting.
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