Hymn of the Week: January 10, 2022

Hymn of the Week: Peace Like a River
Glory to God: 623

Text and Music: African American Spiritual

This spiritual is one of my all-time favorites. As we remember Christ’s baptism on January 9th as well as our own baptisms, this hymn beautifully denotes the immense joy, peace, and love associated with water. The constant repetitiveness while lying in the middle of the voice almost creates a beautiful image of water lapping onto the shore. The use of repetition here is extremely poignant and lends itself to the meditative spirit that water can bring to our souls.

1
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river,
I've got peace like a river in my soul.

2
I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul.
I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean,
I've got love like an ocean in my soul

3
I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain,
I've got joy like a fountain in my soul.
 

The Hebrew prophet Isaiah’s imagery of “peace like a river” (66:12) is thought to be the basis for this spiritual text. Other nautical references might imply that this was a seacoast or riverboat song. The Mississippi River, for instance, was a major trade route.

The references to peace, joy, love, and faith include four of the nine “fruits of the spirit” mentioned in Galatians 5:22. This is one of the very few hymns to use water similes to describe the attributes of faith – like a river, fountain, ocean, and anchor.

This tune, named PEACE LIKE A RIVER from words in the text, has its roots in the African American spirituals that sustained people in poverty and captivity. The tranquil images contrast with the stressful life and demands of life as a slave.

Note that each stanza of this spiritual is sung twice, once with the first ending and once with the second ending. The editorial note in the hymnal invites congregations to invent other similes to describe what other “fruits of the spirit” might be like. Water is the connecting theme here.