Lyrics: Frances Havergal, 1876.
Music: WYE VALLEY by James Mountain, 1876.
Theme:
“I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her arm
and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 66:12-13
Frances Havergal: “Writing is praying with me. You know a child would look up at every sentence and say, ‘And what shall I say next?’ That is just what I do; I ask Him that at every line He would give me not merely thoughts and power, but also every word, even the very rhymes.”
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.
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.
Thanks to Rebecca at Rebecca Writes: The North Valley Baptist Church Men’s Choir sings Like a River Glorious.
Sources:
Center for Church Music: Like a River Glorious.
Frances RIdley Havergal by LIzzie Alldridge at Wholesome Words.
This is a lifelong favorite of mine. It’s brought me back to truth many times.
Love it. I think this YouTube clip (even though it’s only part of one stanza) is fascinating; I wish I could hear the whole hymn in that rendition, in that room:
Corban College Chamber Choir sings “Like a River Glorious” in the throne room
Leland aka Haruo