We have been considering God’s perfections. The prophet Isaiah seemed to have a special love for the manifold perfection of Jehovah. In addition to writing prophecies of the Messiah and revealing marvelous visions of coming glory, Isaiah is also known as a songwriter! Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah composed numerous songs of praise that are scattered throughout his prophetic book. These songs were intended to be sung by the people of God for all time.

One of the prophet’s songs is found in Isaiah 26. The chapter opens with this announcement: “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in” (verses 1–2). For a reader familiar with the historic hymns of the faith, he will readily recognize that the beloved hymn “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” is drawn in part from this text.

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God.
He whose Word cannot be broken
formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
what can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

The next verses of Isaiah’s song exalt the perfections of our perfect God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (verses 3–4). Many hymns throughout the centuries have flowed from these words of Isaiah. Let’s look at several other hymns drawn from Scripture.

“Like a River Glorious”

One hymn that often comes to mind are the comforting words penned by Frances Ridley Havergal. Her beloved hymn is “Like a River Glorious.”

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious in its bright increase:
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

The word perfect is repeated four times in the first stanza of this hymn. God’s peace is “perfect,” yet it is still flowing fuller every day! God’s love is “perfect,” yet it is growing deeper as we come to understand it more perfectly. This truth can only be said of the God of the Bible.

“Peace, Perfect Peace”

Another hymn drawn from this text of Isaiah is a hymn written by Bishop Edward Henry Bickersteth of the Church of England. His hymn emphasizes the fact that in a world of sin and sorrow, perfect peace can only be found in the perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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, our future all unknown?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.

Our peace is perfect because our Lord Jesus Christ is perfect. Have you found that peace? When pressed by sin, duty, sorrow, or by the unknown future, are you resting in the perfection of Christ on His throne?

“It Is Well with My Soul”

Horatio Spafford’s testimony in song draws from the prophet Isaiah’s words. The well-beloved hymn was conceived in the midst of one of the deepest sorrows a man could bear: the loss of all four of his precious daughters at the same time. Even in this deep sorrow, Spafford and his grieving wife found perfect peace in the perfection of God.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Later this week, the biographical sketch will focus on the life and example of Horatio and Anna Spafford. The Lord did much through their lives for His glory to manifest His perfect peace.