Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Refrain
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Refrain
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Refrain
Frances Ridley Havergal
Frances Ridley Havergal was an English religious poet and hymn writer. Take My Life and Let it Be and Thy Life for Me are two of her best known hymns. She also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children. Wikipedia
Born: December 14, 1836, Astley, United Kingdom
Died: June 3, 1879, Caswell Bay, Bishopston, United Kingdom
When Frances Havergal was vacationing in the south of Wales, 1876, she caught a severe cold, accompanied by inflammation of the lungs. Hearing how ill she was, and that she might die, she replied, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true.” Her friends were amazed at how peacefully she received this information. She did survive that illness, and later that year she wrote the hymn “Like a River Glorious” in which she pointed to the source of her perfect peace: “Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.”
Miss Havergal, a devout Bible scholar, echoed Isaiah in “Like a River Glorious” in which God promises “peace like a river.” She also incorporated Isaiah 26:3, which states “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” “Like a River Glorious” paints the picture of this peace.
Miss Havergal wrote to another hymn writer who had also written about peace. In her letter, Miss Havergal quoted Romans 5:1 “We have peace with God,” adding “It is yours already, purchased for you, made for you, sealed for you, pledged to you – by the word of the Father and the precious blood of Jesus.”
The hymn was first published in its present form with the name “Perfect Peace,” in Hymns of Consecration and Faith, 1876.” https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/detail/like-a-river-glorious
Philippians 4:6-8
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
This post was dedicated to our gracious and merciful lord and savior, Jesus Christ, and to a cyber friend and follower who had gone through terrible loss, and had shared her grief and glowing testimony.
The Vine Vigil 