CHRISTIAN LIFE >> JOY & PEACE
SDAH 466
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight,
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: Wonderful Peace
In August 1889, evangelist and poet W. D. Cornell penned these heartfelt lines during a deeply moving Methodist camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin. Lost in meditation, he left his draft behind in the meeting tent, where song leader W. George Cooper discovered it, refined the text, and composed the tune. Centered on the Savior’s promise in John 14:27, the hymn repeats the word “peace” seven times, echoing Christ’s gift of calm assurance in times of trouble. Its gentle flow and comforting refrain have made it a cherished reminder that God’s perfect peace can guard the heart no matter the storm.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
In August 1889, W. D. Cornell, evangelist, poet, and fluent preacher, was present at a Methodist camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin. Deeply devotional meetings had been conducted in the tent, and he remained seated there, jotting down the thoughts that had been passing through his mind. Still lost in meditation, he got up and went out, unwittingly dropping the paper on which he had just written these words. An hour later, the song leader, W. George Cooper (1840-1927), came into the tent, found these stanzas, made some alterations, and completed the hymn. Then he sat down at the organ and composed this tune for the words.
The word peace occurs seven times in the hymn, and recalls the Savior’s promise to His disciples at a time of great stress: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you…. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight,
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial like strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain
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 my inner most soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!
3
I believe when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Author of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing,
In that heavenly kingdom will be-
4
Weary soul, without gladness or comfort or rest,
Passing down the rough pathway of time!
Make the Savior your friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(r) Phil 4:7
Author
W.D. Cornell; alt. 1889
Metrical Number
12.9.12.9.Ref.
Composer
W.G. Cooper (1840-1927)
