Scripture Verse

He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Pe­ter P. Bil­horn, 1887 (🔊 pdf nwc). Bil­horn wrote this song at the sug­ges­tion of Da­ni­el Whit­tle, who was tra­vel­ing with him on a train to Io­wa. It was first sung, from the ma­nu­script, in Keo­kuk, Io­wa. Some hym­nals give the au­thor as P. H. Rob­lin, one of Bil­horn’s pseu­do­nyms.

portrait
Peter P. Bilhorn (1865–1936)

Lyrics

There comes to my heart one sweet strain,
A glad and a joy­ous re­frain,
I sing it again and again,
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.

Refrain

Peace, peace, sweet peace,
Wonderful gift from above,
Oh, won­der­ful, won­der­ful peace,
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.

Through Christ on the cross peace was made,
My debt by His death was all paid,
No other foun­da­tion is laid.
For peace, the gift of God’s love.

Refrain

When Je­sus as Lord I had crowned,
My heart with this peace did abound,
In Him the rich bless­ing I found,
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.

Refrain

In Je­sus for peace I abide,
And as I keep close to His side,
There’s no­thing but peace doth be­tide.
Sweet peace, the gift of God’s love.

Refrain