Hymns of Peace

By John Zehring

Each chapter of “Hymns of Peace” reviews the lyrics to the hymn, information about the author, and reflections about the love of God and the way of Jesus. The word peace in hymns as well as in the Bible is used in a number of different ways. First, there is the peace of world peace. Second, there is the peace of relationships, of getting along with people and resolving conflict with others. Third, there is the peace of inner peace, which comes by the gift of God. Because there are at least three different kinds of peace referred to in our hymns and scriptures, all of them are included in this book, “Hymns of Peace.”

Other books about hymns written by John Zehring include “Music of the Spheres: Hymns on Loving and Tending the Earth” and “Be Still My Soul: Soothing Hymn Meditations.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Zehring
• Release date: May 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463481479

John Zehring

John Zehring has served United Church of Christ congregations as Senior Pastor in Massachusetts (Andover), Rhode Island (Kingston), and Maine (Augusta) and as an Interim Pastor in Massachusetts (Arlington, Harvard). Prior to parish ministry, he served in higher education, primarily in development and institutional advancement. He worked as a dean of students, director of career planning and placement, adjunct professor of public speaking and as a vice president at a seminary and at a college. He is the author of more than sixty books and is a regular writer for The Christian Citizen, an American Baptist social justice publication. He has taught Public Speaking, Creative Writing, Educational Psychology and Church Administration. John was the founding editor of the publication Seminary Development News, a publication for seminary presidents, vice presidents and trustees (published by the Association of Theological Schools, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment). He graduated from Eastern University and holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary, Rider University, and the Earlham School of Religion. He is listed in Marquis' WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA and is a recipient of their Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. John and his wife Donna live in two places, in central Massachusetts and by the sea in Maine.

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Hymns of Peace

John Zehring

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Copyright 2020 John Zehring

Introduction

"If you, even you,

had only recognized on this day

the things that make for peace!"

(Luke 19:42a)

I set out to produce a book about peace and peace-making and quickly ran into some challenges. First, many of the best hymns of peace are from the twentieth century and are not in the public domain. I am not sure what this says about the Church’s music that the topic was barely touched upon in classic hymns. Second, the word peace in hymns as well as in the Bible is used in a number of different ways.

There is the peace of world peace. The song Down By The Riverside proclaims: I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield, Down by the riverside, I'm gonna study, study, war no more. This refers to Micah 4:3 ...they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation.

There is the peace of relationships, of getting along with people and resolving conflict with others. The hymn In Christ There Is No East or West celebrates how our faith binds us together as brothers and sisters: In Christ there is no East or West, In Him no South or North; But one great fellowship of love, Throughout the whole wide earth. This refers to Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

There is the peace of inner peace, which comes by the gift of God. This kind of peace is most prevalent in the hymnbooks, as exemplified by the African-American spiritual I've Got Peace Like a River which begins I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in my soul. Jesus told of this gift of inner peace in John (14:27): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

Because there are at least three different kinds of peace referred to in our hymns and scriptures, I have decided to include all of them in this book. As I think about it, they are not unrelated. In fact, they may be inner connected.

I have been a student of peace in each of its meanings.

In my preaching, speaking, teaching, and writing, I have sought to lead others to attitudes and values which choose non-violent peaceful reconciliation. Christians have a global world-view and see all women and men, all girls and boys, as their brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no place for hatred, discrimination, or harm to those whom God loves. Christians seek peace among all.

In my pastoral care and visits with parishioners, I have found that the core of most heartache has to do with relationships and resolving conflict peacefully. To be at peace with others is no easy task. It requires a determined will, a commitment to choose God-like behavior and attitudes, and skills in listening, negotiation, patience, forgiveness, and strategies to discover a win-win outcome.

And in all of my efforts, I have sought to lead people to find the kind of inner peace which Jesus spoke about as he taught Do not let your hearts be troubled. In his hymn Peace Like a River, Horatio Spafford wrote It is well, it is well, with my soul. So much of our striving in life is occupied with finding inner peace in our souls. The Bible and the hymns of peace contain the pathway to lead us there.

Three types of meanings for the word peace. And so, if the hymn sings about peace, it belongs in this book.

Notes about this book

Scriptures used in this work come from the New Revised Standard Version, unless otherwise noted.

I have attempted to use inclusive language wherever possible in the words I have written, although I have not altered the author’s reference to God as he. I recognize that the Divine has no gender and for many it may be just as appropriate and accurate to acknowledge God as Mother or Father. Whichever pronoun is used, consider God as a loving parent.

Hymns and their lyrics in this book come from the public domain. There are some great newer hymns which are not in the public domain, so they will be referenced only in passing to recognize them or to use a title or a few lines as a basis for a meditation.

Some of this work is adapted from other books or eBooks I have written.

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