Blythe?...he was my favorite Elder he sang this song a lot.... Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr., 1875. Bickersteth was vacationing in Harrogate, England, where he heard a sermon on Isaiah 26:3 by Canon Gibbon. The minister related that the Hebrew text used the word peace twice to indicate absolute perfection. The idea was still on Bickersteth’s mind when he visited a dying relative that afternoon. To soothe the man’s emotional turmoil, Bickersteth opened his Bible to read from Isaiah 26:3. He wrote down these lyrics, just as they appear today, and read them to the man: perhaps the last thing he heard before Jesus called him “to Heaven’s perfect peace.” After one of Bickersteth’s sisters pointed out that there is nothing specific in the hymn about physical suffering. “That is soon remedied,” he replied. He took up an envelope and wrote the following verse (apparently never published) on the the back…
Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes? The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose. **************************************** Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest. Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they. Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, And Jesus call us to Heaven’s perfect peace. ***************************************** YOU MAY HEAR THE SONG HERE
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