A story of the hymn, “Blessed Quietness” by Manie Payne Ferguson

On the stormy Sea of Galilee, Jesus commanded the winds and waves, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39, KJV), and immediately there was calm. Later in the upper room, as Jesus told his disciples that he would leave them, he promised them the Holy Spirit and peace. 

Manie Payne, born in Carlow, Ireland, was a Christian, but she did not know peace. She struggled with her sinful nature until she began to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is the “blessed quietness” that she wrote about. Now, she was so happy she could hardly contain herself. Indeed, joy was flowing like a river in her life. 

Later she married T. P. Ferguson and founded Peniel Missions, with branches in Egypt, China, and the United States. 

Scriptures: Luke 4:29-30; John 14:25-27; Galatians 5:22

Themes: Holy Spirit, Peace, Assurance

Lyrics of the Hymn:

Joys are flowing like a river

Since the Comforter has come.

He abides with us forever,

Makes the trusting heart His home.

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,

What assurance in my soul!

On the stormy sea He speaks peace to me,

How the billows cease to roll!

 

Bringing life and health and gladness

All around this heav’nly Guest

Banished unbelief and sadness,

Changed our weariness to rest.

 

Like the rain that falls from heaven,

Like the sunlight from the sky,

So the Holy Ghost is given,

Coming on us from on high.

 

See, a fruitful field is growing,

Blessed fruit of righteousness;

And the streams of life are flowing

In the lonely wilderness.

What a wonderful salvation,

Where we always see His face!

What a perfect habitation,

What a quiet resting place!

By MANIE PAYNE FERGUSON (1850–1932)

Credit/Reference for the Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 292). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

 

A story of the hymn, “Because He lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither!

The late 1960s were dark days for Bill and Gloria Gaither. Both of them were struggling with health problems, and Gloria was pregnant with their third child. The world around them was swirling with news of the Vietnam War, civil unrest, the drug culture, and violence in the streets. Was this any kind of world in which to raise a family?

Discouraged and disheartened, they looked for signs of hope. One day in the spring, Bill walked out of his office to inspect a newly paved parking area. Construction workers had covered it with several coats of asphalt. Bill was satisfied with the job that was done, but as he turned, he noticed a tiny blade of grass poking through the layers of rock and tar to reach into the sunlight.

In early summer the baby was born, and when Bill and Gloria brought their child home, they wrote this song of joy, remembering the environment. More important, they remembered that their baby could indeed face uncertain days because Christ lives.

Scriptures: John 14:29; Ephesians 2:4-7; Philippians 3:10

Themes: Hope, Easter, Resurrection

Lyrics of the Hymn:

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus,

He came to love, heal, and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow;

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a new-born baby,

And feel the pride, and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance,

This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

And then one day, I’ll cross the river,

I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;

And then as death gives way to victory,

I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.

By WILLIAM J. (B. 1936) AND GLORIA GAITHER (B. 1942) © 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc. All rights controlled by Gaither Copyright Management. Used by permission.

Credit/Reference for Hymn:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 594). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

A story of the hymn, "I Stand in Awe"

When he was in his teens and early twenties, Mark Altrogge thought of making rock-and-roll music as a career. If the Beatles could do it, why couldn’t he? But when, at the age of twenty-four, he became a Christian, he realized that he would have to surrender himself totally to Jesus Christ. Now, his attention was fixed, not on the Beatles, but on the holiness of God, and he was reading books like The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer and The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul.

God is infinite, and Mark says, “We will never come to an end of learning new things about him.” Thinking about the greatness of God, Mark sat down with his guitar and tried to put some of his thoughts into music. Gradually the song was born. He says, “‘I Stand in Awe’ was born out of the emotional impact that the doctrine of God’s holiness had on me.”

Scriptures: Psalm 99:3, 9; Psalm 111:9; 1 Peter 1:15-16

Themes: Worship, God the Father, Holiness of God

Lyrics of the Hymn:

You are beautiful beyond description,

Too marvelous for words,

Too wonderful for comprehension,

Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depth of Your love?

You are beautiful beyond description,

Majesty enthroned above.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You,

I stand, I stand in awe of You.

Holy God to whom all praise is due,

I stand in awe of You, I stand in awe of You.

By MARK ALTROGGE (B. 1950) © 1987 Sovereign Grace Praise/BMI (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise! Music) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Reference for the Hymn Story:

Petersen, William. The Complete Book of Hymns (p. 40). Tyndale House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Link to Listen to the Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejv9L8V9xOE