When Noah had drifted,
On the flood many days,
He searched for land,
In various ways.
Troubles, he had some,
But He wasn't forgotten,
God sent down His love,
On the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow white dove,
God sent His pure sweet love,
Just A sign from above,
On the wings of a dove.
When troubles surround you,
And evil may come,
Your body grows weak,
And your spirit grows numb.
When these things beset you,
God will not forget you,
He'll send down His love,
On the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow, white dove,
God sent His pure sweet love,
Just a sign from above,
On the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow, white dove,
God sent His pure sweet love,
Just a sign from above,
On the wings of a dove.
On the Wings of A Snow White Dove Video
On the Wings of A Snow White Dove Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
"On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" is a timeless Christian hymn that has touched the hearts of millions of believers around the world. Written by Bob Ferguson and first recorded by Ferlin Husky in 1959, the song has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton. However, it is the version of the song by Evie Tornquist Karlsson, simply known as Evie, that has become most beloved by Christians.
We will also examine the inspiration behind the song, its biblical references, and the practical application of its message to Christian living.
The Inspiration Behind the Song
Bob Ferguson, the songwriter behind "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove," was born in 1927 in Willow Springs, Missouri. He was a successful country music songwriter, having written hits for popular artists such as Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, and Porter Wagoner. However, he was also a devout Christian and wrote several gospel songs throughout his career.
According to Ferguson, he was inspired to write "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" after reading the Bible passage about Noah's Ark in Genesis 8:6-12. The passage tells the story of how Noah, his family, and the animals were saved from the flood by God's grace. After the rain stopped and the waters receded, Noah sent out a dove to find dry land. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, signaling to Noah that the flood was over and that it was safe to leave the ark.
Ferguson was struck by the symbolism of the dove, which has long been associated with peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition. He saw the dove as a symbol of hope and salvation, and wrote the song as a tribute to God's love and grace.
The Meaning of the Song
"On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" is a song about faith, hope, and the power of God's love to overcome adversity. The lyrics speak of a person who is facing troubles and struggles in their life and is searching for a way out. The person prays to God for help and guidance, and God responds by sending a dove with a message of hope and love.
The chorus of the song, which repeats throughout, is a powerful affirmation of faith:
"On the wings of a snow-white dove, God sends His pure sweet love,
A sign from above, on the wings of a dove."
The imagery of the snow-white dove is a symbol of God's purity and love. The dove is seen as a messenger from God, sent to bring comfort and hope to those in need. The song suggests that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, God's love and grace are always available to us.
The song's verses describe the troubles that the person is facing, including feelings of loneliness and despair. However, the person remains steadfast in their faith, trusting that God will provide a way out. The second verse reads:
"When troubles surround us, when evils come,
The body grows weak, the spirit grows numb.
When these things beset us, God doesn't forget us,
He sends down His love on the wings of a dove."
Here, the song acknowledges the reality of suffering and hardship in life, but also emphasizes the importance of faith in times of trouble. The lyrics suggest that even when we feel weak and helpless, God is always with us, sending us messages of love and hope to guide us through difficult times.
Biblical References in the Song
The message of "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" is deeply rooted in biblical tradition. The song draws on several passages from the Bible that speak of the dove as a symbol of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit.
One of the most prominent biblical references in the song is the story of Noah and the ark. As we mentioned earlier, the song was inspired by Genesis 8:6-12, which tells of how Noah sent out a dove to find dry land after the flood. The dove returned with an olive branch in its beak, signaling that the waters had receded and that it was safe to leave the ark. This story has long been interpreted as a symbol of hope and salvation, and the dove has become a powerful symbol of God's grace and mercy.
Another biblical reference in the song is the story of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 3, verses 16-17, we read:
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"
This passage is often interpreted as a symbol of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus at his baptism, and the dove has become a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christian tradition.
Finally, the song also draws on the story of the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as described in the Book of Acts, chapter 2. The passage reads:
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
This story is often seen as a powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence in the world, and the song's lyrics suggest that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us through the symbol of the dove.
Practical Application for Christian Living
The message of "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" has a powerful application to Christian living. The song reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, God's love and grace are always available to us. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when we feel weak and helpless.
One practical application of the song's message is to cultivate a sense of hope and trust in God's love and grace. When we face difficult times, it can be easy to become discouraged and lose faith. However, the song reminds us that God is always with us, sending us messages of love and hope to guide us through difficult times. By cultivating a sense of hope and trust in God's love, we can remain steadfast in our faith and face whatever challenges come our way.
Another practical application of the song's message is to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The dove is a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the song suggests that the Holy Spirit continues to speak to us through symbols and signs in our daily lives. By remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can gain a deeper understanding of God's love and grace and find the strength to overcome whatever challenges we may face.
In conclusion, "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove" is a timeless hymn that speaks to the hearts of Christians around the world. Its message of faith, hope, and the power of God's love to overcome adversity is deeply rooted in biblical tradition and has a powerful application to Christian living. By cultivating a sense of hope and trust in God's love and remaining open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can find the strength to overcome whatever challenges may come our way and remain steadfast in our faith.
